AYR Q3 2014 10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 _______________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
 _______________________________________________________________
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

or

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to            

Commission File number 001-32959
_______________________________________________________________
 AIRCASTLE LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _______________________________________________________________
Bermuda
98-0444035
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC
300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT
06902
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code     (203) 504-1020
_______________________________________________________________
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  þ    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  þ    NO  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  ¨    NO  þ
As of October 31, 2014, there were 80,938,249 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.01 per share.



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
No.
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.

2


PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.        Financial Statements
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
654,613

 
$
474,338

Accounts receivable
2,825

 
3,896

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
122,773

 
114,392

Restricted liquidity facility collateral
107,000

 
65,000

Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,430,325 and $1,350,950
5,044,410

 
5,232,940

Net investment in finance leases
145,173

 
70,723

Unconsolidated equity method investment
21,123

 
30,501

Other assets
153,976

 
175,454

Total assets
$
6,251,893

 
$
6,167,244

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Borrowings from secured financings (including borrowings of ACS Ireland VIEs of $152,545 and $78,418, respectively)
$
1,586,835

 
$
1,485,033

Borrowings from unsecured financings
2,150,527

 
2,200,000

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
111,661

 
162,970

Lease rentals received in advance
49,235

 
48,027

Liquidity facility
107,000

 
65,000

Security deposits
118,804

 
125,765

Maintenance payments
442,432

 
422,157

Fair value of derivative liabilities
39,992

 
3,090

Total liabilities
4,606,486

 
4,512,042

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies


 


 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Preference shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

 

Common shares, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 80,806,975 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013; and 80,949,219 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014
808

 
809

Additional paid-in capital
1,562,106

 
1,563,685

Retained earnings
158,398

 
137,858

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(75,905
)
 
(47,150
)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,645,407

 
1,655,202

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
6,251,893

 
$
6,167,244

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
161,148

 
$
178,886

 
$
475,656

 
$
536,452

Finance lease revenue
4,122

 
1,463

 
12,120

 
9,347

Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(9,737
)
 
(1,075
)
 
(25,527
)
 
(7,252
)
Maintenance revenue (including contra maintenance revenue of $0 and $8,655 for the three months ended and $0 and $25,037 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively)
12,932

 
(4,189
)
 
42,983

 
35,035

Total lease revenue
168,465

 
175,085

 
505,232

 
573,582

Other revenue
1,625

 
2,511

 
11,425

 
6,763

Total revenues
170,090

 
177,596

 
516,657

 
580,345

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
70,469

 
75,519

 
212,448

 
225,230

Interest, net
57,843

 
56,794

 
183,651

 
181,551

Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,067 and $949 for the three months ended and $2,931 and $3,167 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively)
12,830

 
13,817

 
39,297

 
41,818

Impairment of Aircraft
106,136

 
20,436

 
112,335

 
67,005

Maintenance and other costs
1,914

 
713

 
11,464

 
5,222

Total expenses
249,192

 
167,279

 
559,195

 
520,826

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
3,092

 
11,390

 
25,601

 
13,384

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 
(36,570
)
Other
855

 
1

 
5,016

 
758

Total other income (expense)
3,947

 
11,391

 
30,617

 
(22,428
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(75,155
)
 
21,708

 
(11,921
)
 
37,091

Income tax provision
(597
)
 
3,484

 
6,719

 
10,925

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax

 
927

 

 
1,898

Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share — Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share
$
(0.95
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share — Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share
$
(0.95
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
0.165

 
$
0.200

 
$
0.495

 
$
0.600

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $78 and $21 for the three months ended and $389 and $825 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively
1,798

 
1,643

 
13,751

 
2,025

Net derivative loss reclassified into earnings
7,300

 
8,549

 
25,285

 
26,730

Other comprehensive income
9,098

 
10,192

 
39,036

 
28,755

Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
(65,460
)
 
$
29,343

 
$
20,396

 
$
56,819


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
212,448

 
225,230

Amortization of deferred financing costs
11,757

 
10,493

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
25,527

 
7,252

Deferred income taxes
3,419

 
(2,623
)
Non-cash share based payment expense
2,931

 
3,167

Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings
25,285

 
26,730

Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings
(32,047
)
 
(38,257
)
Gain on sale of flight equipment
(25,601
)
 
(13,384
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
36,570

Impairment of aircraft
112,335

 
67,005

Other
(4,284
)
 
(2,278
)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
1,588

 
(1,603
)
Other assets
1,155

 
(1,691
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
7,978

 
17,138

Lease rentals received in advance
(4,538
)
 
4,162

Net cash provided by operating activities
319,313

 
365,975

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives
(837,183
)
 
(939,651
)
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment
285,199

 
563,882

Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to sale of flight equipment
(2,200
)
 
(24,606
)
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments
(5,655
)
 
1,315

Net investment in finance leases
(11,595
)
 
(14,258
)
Collections on finance leases
6,658

 
8,096

Unconsolidated equity method investment and associated costs

 
(8,592
)
Distributions from unconsolidated equity method investment in excess of earnings

 
997

Principal repayments on debt investment
42,001

 

Other
(852
)
 
(466
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(523,627
)
 
(413,283
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Issuance of shares net of repurchases
197,478

 
(2,092
)
Proceeds from notes and term debt financings
78,230

 
803,200

Securitization and term debt financing repayments
(430,482
)
 
(895,459
)
Debt extinguishment costs

 
(32,835
)
Deferred financing costs
(2,910
)
 
(15,843
)
Restricted secured liquidity facility collateral

 
42,000

Secured liquidity facility collateral

 
(42,000
)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to financing activities
(77,701
)
 
32,987

Security deposits and maintenance payments received
154,303

 
131,136

Security deposits and maintenance payments returned
(58,776
)
 
(72,030
)
Payments for terminated cash flow hedges

 
(33,427
)
Dividends paid
(35,895
)
 
(48,604
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(175,753
)
 
(132,967
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(380,067
)
 
(180,275
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
618,217

 
654,613

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
238,150

 
$
474,338

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest
$
136,799

 
$
135,880

Cash paid for income taxes
$
701

 
$
4,382

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchase deposits, advance lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance payments assumed in asset acquisitions
$
46,232

 
$
20,837

Term debt financings assumed in asset acquisitions
$
84,721

 
$
39,061

Advance lease rentals, security deposits, and maintenance payments settled in sale of flight equipment
$
41,659

 
$
65,831

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014



Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and Basis of Presentation
Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including acquiring, leasing, managing and selling high utility commercial jet aircraft. From time to time, we also make investments in other aviation assets, including debt investments secured by commercial jet aircraft.
Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in one segment.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2014 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued.

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates seven Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity.
Effective June 1, 2014, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08 (“ASU 2014-08”), Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This ASU raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This ASU also allows companies to have significant continuing involvement and continuing cash flows with the disposed component and requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations and new disclosures for individually material disposal transactions that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. ASU 2014-08 applies prospectively to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale after the effective date and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption of the guidance is permitted for new disposals (or new classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial

7



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


statements previously issued or available for issuance. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Proposed Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2013, the FASB issued re-exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease Re-ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”), Leases. In March 2014, the FASB decided that the accounting for leases by lessors would basically remain unchanged from the concepts existing in current ASC 840 accounting. In addition, the FASB decided that a lessor should be precluded from recognizing selling profit and revenue at lease commencement for any sales-type or direct finance lease that does not transfer control of the underlying asset to the lessee. This requirement aligns the notion of what constitutes a sale in the lessor accounting guidance with that in the forthcoming revenue recognition standard, which evaluates whether a sale has occurred from the customer’s perspective. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2017. We believe that when and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On May 28, 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (the “IASB”) (collectively, the Boards), jointly issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Lease contracts within the scope of ASC 840, Leases, are specifically excluded from ASU No. 2014-09. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for public entities beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating its existing revenue recognition policies to determine the affect this new guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). The standard requires management of public companies to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, disclose that fact. Management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raises substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued, when applicable). The standard is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods thereafter, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market corroborated inputs.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants price the asset or liability.

8



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectation about those future amounts.
The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement. 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Valuation
Technique
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
654,613

 
$
654,613

 
$

 
$

 
Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
122,773

 
122,773

 

 

 
Market
Total
$
777,386

 
$
777,386

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
39,992

 
$

 
$
39,992

 
$

 
Income
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Valuation
Technique
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
474,338

 
$
474,338

 
$

 
$

 
Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
114,392

 
114,392

 

 

 
Market
Total
$
588,730

 
$
588,730

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
3,090

 
$

 
$
3,090

 
$

 
Income

Our cash and cash equivalents, along with our restricted cash and cash equivalents balances, consist largely of money market securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy. Our interest rate derivatives included in Level 2 consist of United States dollar-denominated interest rate derivatives, and their fair values are determined by applying standard modeling techniques under the income approach to relevant market interest rates (cash rates, futures rates, swap rates) in effect at the period close to determine appropriate reset and discount rates and incorporates an assessment of the risk of non-performance by the interest rate derivative counterparty in valuing derivative assets and an evaluation of the Company’s credit risk in valuing derivative liabilities.

9



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


The following tables reflect the activity for the classes of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively:
 
Assets
 
Debt Investments
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Balance at beginning of period
$

 
$

 
$
40,388

 
$

Total gains/(losses), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Included in other revenue

 

 
1,613

 

Settlements

 

 
(42,001
)
 

Balance at end of period
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3; however, we settled the debt investment during the first quarter of 2013.
We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, when US GAAP requires the application of fair value, including events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable. Assets subject to these measurements include our investment in an unconsolidated joint venture and aircraft. We account for our investment in an unconsolidated joint venture under the equity method of accounting and record impairment when its fair value is less than its carrying value. We record aircraft at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. Fair value measurements for aircraft in impairment tests are based on an income approach which uses Level 3 inputs, which include the Company’s assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft.
Aircraft Valuation
We perform our annual fleet-wide recoverability assessment during the third quarter of each year. This recoverability assessment, as more fully described in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment, is a comparison of the carrying value of each aircraft to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. We develop the assumptions used in the recoverability assessment, including those relating to current and future demand for each aircraft type, based on management’s experience in the aircraft leasing industry as well as information received from third party sources. Estimates of the undiscounted cash flows for each aircraft type are impacted by changes in future projected lease rentals and maintenance payments, residual values, expected scrap values, economic conditions and other factors.
In the 2014 assessment, we reduced our forecast of future cash flows for certain freighter aircraft to reflect the cumulative effect of increasing supply over the past three years, notwithstanding the modest increase in demand so far in 2014.
More specifically, we determined the cash flows expected to be generated by two of our McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter aircraft did not support their carrying values. As a result, we impaired these two aircraft, which had an aggregate net book value as of June 30, 2014 of $53,777, writing down their book values by a total of $19,515. We also shortened their expected lives and reduced their residual values.
In addition, for our five Boeing 747-400 production freighters, all of which passed the recoverability assessment, we shortened the expected lives from 35 years to 30 years from the date of manufacture.
Other than the aircraft discussed above, management believes that the net book value of each aircraft is currently supported by the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that aircraft, and accordingly, no other aircraft were impaired as a consequence of this recoverability assessment. However, our lessees may face financial difficulties and return aircraft to us prior to the contractual lease expiry dates which may change our cash flow assumptions

10



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


and require future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in the recoverability assessment are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
During the second quarter of 2014, we impaired two Boeing 747-400 converted freighters, one of which is off-lease and the other which has a scheduled lease expiry in December 2014. We intend to sell both aircraft rather than reinvest in further maintenance necessary for releasing. We classified one of these aircraft, which is being sold on a part out basis, as Flight Equipment Held for Sale in Other Assets on our consolidated Balance Sheet. For the off-lease aircraft, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $17,419 during the three months ended June 30, 2014. We previously recorded maintenance revenue of $3,853 and reversed lease incentives of $857 during the three months ended December 31, 2013 when this aircraft was returned to us. For the aircraft with a scheduled lease expiry in December 2014, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $10,723 and recorded maintenance revenue of $5,986 and reversed lease incentives of $3,626 during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
During the first quarter of 2014, we impaired two aircraft: one Boeing 737-400, which was returned to us as scheduled by the lessee, and one Boeing 747-400 converted freighter, for which we agreed to an early lease termination with our customer. For these two aircraft, we recorded impairment charges totaling $18,263 and recorded maintenance revenue of $17,176 during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Following our recoverability assessment during the third quarter of 2013, we impaired six Boeing 747-400 converted freighter aircraft and one Boeing 737-700 aircraft and recorded impairment charges of $88,647 and $8,945, respectively.
During the third quarter of 2013, one Boeing 767-300ER aircraft was returned to us early by its lessee. We recorded an impairment charge of $8,544, maintenance revenue of $12,056 and other revenue of $875 for this aircraft. During the first quarter of 2013, one Airbus A319-100 aircraft and one Boeing 767-300ER aircraft were returned to us early by their respective lessees. We recorded impairment charges totaling $6,199, maintenance revenue of $9,019 and other revenue of $876 for these two aircraft.
        
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts borrowed under financings and interest rate derivatives. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short-term nature.
The fair value of our Securitization, which contains a third party credit enhancement, is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates of borrowing arrangements that do not contain third party credit enhancements. The fair values of our ECA term financings and bank financings are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of our Senior Notes is estimated using quoted market prices.
 The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
Carrying  Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Carrying  Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)
Securitizations
$
(828,871
)
 
$
(779,901
)
 
$
(451,544
)
 
$
(428,590
)
ECA term financings
(493,708
)
 
(506,227
)
 
(460,983
)
 
(478,915
)
Bank financings
(264,256
)
 
(268,435
)
 
(572,506
)
 
(575,469
)
Senior Notes
(2,150,527
)
 
(2,325,965
)
 
(2,200,000
)
 
(2,303,682
)
All of our financial instruments are classified as Level 2 with the exception of our Senior Notes, which are classified as Level 1.


11



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014



Note 3. Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease
Minimum future annual lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
Amount
Remainder of 2014
$
168,164

2015
653,680

2016
577,372

2017
448,336

2018
335,628

Thereafter
982,405

Total
$
3,165,585

Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Region
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Europe
33
%
 
29
%
 
33
%
 
29
%
Asia and Pacific
38
%
 
39
%
 
38
%
 
40
%
North America
10
%
 
10
%
 
9
%
 
10
%
South America
9
%
 
13
%
 
9
%
 
12
%
Middle East and Africa
10
%
 
9
%
 
11
%
 
9
%
Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
The classification of regions in the tables above and in the table and discussion below is determined based on the principal location of the lessee of each aircraft.
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, one customer accounted for 8% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 16% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, one customer accounted for 7% of lease rental revenue and an additional three customers separately accounted for 17% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, one customer accounted for 8% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 17% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, one customer accounted for 6% of lease rental revenue and an additional two customers separately accounted for 11% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.
The following table sets forth revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total revenue (including maintenance revenue) based on each lessee’s principal place of business:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
Country
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
 
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
United Kingdom(1)(2)
16,293

 
10
%
 
2

 

 
%
 

            

12



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


(1) Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 includes $12,056 of maintenance revenue and $875 of other revenue related to an agreed- upon lease termination.
(2) Total revenue was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
Country
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
 
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
China(1)
$
49,148

 
10
%
 
4

 
$

 
%
 

            
(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) was as follows:
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
Region
Number
of
Aircraft
 
Net Book
Value %
 
Number
of
Aircraft
 
Net Book
Value %
Europe
64

 
30
%
 
59

 
28
%
Asia and Pacific
56

 
41
%
 
45

 
42
%
North America
19

 
10
%
 
19

 
8
%
South America
14

 
7
%
 
11

 
12
%
Middle East and Africa
7

 
11
%
 
6

 
10
%
Off-lease
2

(1) 
1
%
 


%
Total
162

 
100
%
 
140

 
100
%
 
_______________

(1)
Consisted of two Boeing 747-400 converted freighter aircraft, one of which was subject to a commitment to lease and was delivered to our customer in the first quarter of 2014 and the other is in the process of being parted-out.

At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, no country represented at least 10% of net book value of flight equipment based on each lessee’s principal place of business.
 At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on the consolidated balance sheets were $28,611 and $23,015, respectively.

Note 4. Net Investment in Finance Leases
At September 30, 2014, our net investment in finance leases represents four aircraft leased to two customers in the United States, one aircraft leased to a customer in Canada and one aircraft leased to a customer in Croatia. The following table lists the components of our net investment in finance leases at September 30, 2014:
 
 
Amount
Total lease payments to be received
 
$
54,631

Less: Unearned income
 
(17,167
)
Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment (unguaranteed)
 
33,259

    Net investment in finance leases
 
$
70,723


13



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014




At September 30, 2014, minimum future lease payments on finance leases are as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
 
Amount
Remainder of 2014
 
$
3,126

2015
 
12,889

2016
 
12,889

2017
 
11,974

2018
 
4,080

Thereafter
 
9,673

    Total
 
$
54,631


Note 5. Unconsolidated Equity Method Investment
On December 19, 2013, the Company and an affiliate of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“Teachers’”) formed a joint venture (the “JV”), in which we have a 30% equity interest, to invest in leased aircraft. Teachers’ holds more than 5% of our common shares. Accordingly, the formation of the JV and the sale of two A330 aircraft by us to the JV in December 2013 were submitted to, and approved by, our Audit Committee under our related party policy. During the third quarter of 2014, we sold one Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that we had acquired earlier in 2014 to the JV; this transaction was also approved by our Audit Committee under our related party agreement. The assets and liabilities of the JV are off our balance sheet and we only record our net investment under the equity method of accounting.
While the Company has no obligation to make additional investments in the JV, we have agreed to return to the JV any portion of distributions from the JV which comprise lessee maintenance payments, to the extent that the JV must reimburse such maintenance payments to the lessee. The Company has recorded a $2,717 guarantee liability which is reflected in Maintenance payments on the balance sheet.
Investment in JV at December 31, 2013
 
$
21,123

Investment in JV
 
10,428

Earnings from JV, net of tax
 
1,898

Distributions
 
(2,948
)
Investment in JV at September 30, 2014
 
$
30,501

 
 
 

Note 6. Variable Interest Entities
Aircastle consolidates seven VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. The operating activities of these VIEs are limited to acquiring, owning, leasing, maintaining, operating and, under certain circumstances, selling the 14 aircraft discussed below.
Securitizations
In connection with Securitization No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland plc (“ACS Ireland”) and ACS Aircraft Finance Bermuda Limited (“ACS Bermuda”) issued Class A-1 notes, and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Securitization No. 2, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland 2 Limited (“ACS Ireland 2”) and ACS 2007-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 2”) issued Class A-1 notes and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. ACS Ireland and ACS Ireland 2 are collectively referred to as the “ACS Ireland VIEs”. In February 2014, we repaid the outstanding amount plus accrued interest and fees due under Securitization No. 1 and ACS Ireland became a wholly owned subsidiary of Aircastle.
Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of ACS Ireland 2, as we have both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the economic performance of such VIE and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through Class E-1 Securities. Although Aircastle has not guaranteed the ACS Ireland 2 debt, Aircastle wholly owns

14



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


ACS Bermuda 2 which has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the ACS Ireland 2 VIE obligations. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft. Aircastle Advisor (Ireland) Limited (Aircastle’s wholly owned subsidiary) is the remarketing servicer and is responsible for the leasing of the aircraft. An Irish charitable trust owns 95% of the common shares of ACS Ireland 2. The Irish charitable trust’s risk is limited to its annual dividend of $2. At September 30, 2014, the assets of ACS Ireland 2 include six aircraft transferred into the VIE at historical cost basis in connection with Securitization No. 2.
The assets of the ACS Ireland 2 as of September 30, 2014 are $181,746. The liabilities of the ACS Ireland 2, net of $40,351 Class E-1 Securities held by the Company, which is eliminated in consolidation, as of September 30, 2014 are $142,618.
ECA Term Financings
Aircastle, through various subsidiaries, each of which is owned by a charitable trust (such entities, collectively the “Air Knight VIEs”), has entered into eight different twelve-year term loans, which are supported by guarantees from Compagnie Francaise d’ Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, (“COFACE”), the French government sponsored export credit agency (“ECA”). We refer to these COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings.”
Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of the Air Knight VIEs, as we have the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of such VIEs and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through a finance lease. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft of which our wholly owned subsidiary is the servicer and is responsible for managing the relevant aircraft. There is a cross collateralization guarantee between the Air Knight VIEs. In addition, Aircastle guarantees the debt of the Air Knight VIEs.
The only assets that the Air Knight VIEs have on their books are financing leases that are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements and deferred financing costs. The related aircraft, with a net book value as of September 30, 2014 of $650,283 were included in our flight equipment held for lease. The consolidated debt outstanding of the Air Knight VIEs as of September 30, 2014 is $460,983.

Note 7. Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings
The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings are as follows:

15



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


 
At December 31, 2013
 
At September 30, 2014
Debt Obligation
Outstanding
Borrowings
 
Outstanding
Borrowings
 
Interest Rate(1)
 
Final Stated
Maturity(2)
Secured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 1(3)
$
225,034

 
$

 
—%
 
Securitization No. 2
603,837

 
451,544

 
0.47%
 
06/14/37
ECA Term Financings
493,708

 
460,983

 
3.02% to 3.96%
 
12/3/21 to 11/30/24
Bank Financings
264,256

 
572,506

 
1.15% to 5.09%
 
09/15/15 to 04/19/25
Total secured debt financings
1,586,835

 
1,485,033

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes due 2017
500,000

 
500,000

 
6.75%
 
04/15/17
Senior Notes due 2018(4)
450,527

 

 
—%
 
Senior Notes due 2018
400,000

 
400,000

 
4.625%
 
12/05/18
Senior Notes due 2019
500,000

 
500,000

 
6.250%
 
12/01/19
Senior Notes due 2020
300,000

 
300,000

 
7.625%
 
04/15/20
Senior Notes due 2021

 
500,000

 
5.125%
 
03/15/21
2014 Revolving Credit Facility(5)

 

 
N/A
 
03/31/18
Total unsecured debt financings
2,150,527

 
2,200,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total secured and unsecured debt financings
$
3,737,362

 
$
3,685,033

 
 
 
 
 
        
(1)
Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 2 and four of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.
(2)
For Securitization No. 2, all cash flows available after expenses and interest are applied to debt amortization.
(3)
In February 2014, we repaid the outstanding amount plus accrued interest and fees due under Securitization No. 1 and terminated the related interest rate derivative, for a total cash payment of $255,186, with proceeds from our December 2013 issuance of our Senior Notes due 2018.
(4)
Proceeds from the issuance of our Senior Notes due 2021 were used to pay-off the balance of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 plus accrued interest of $10,238 and the call premium of $32,835 on April 25, 2014.
(5)
On March 31, 2014, we amended and restructured our existing $335,000 2013 Revolving Credit Facility with a new unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2014 Revolving Credit Facility”).  The 2014 Revolving Credit Facility was increased to $450,000, has a term of four years and is scheduled to expire in March 2018 and was undrawn at September 30, 2014.

The following Securitization includes a liquidity facility commitment described in the table below: 
 
 
 
Available Liquidity
 
 
 
 
Facility
Liquidity Facility Provider
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
Unused
Fee
 
Interest Rate
on any Advances
Securitization No. 2
HSH Nordbank AG
 
$
65,000

 
$
65,000

 
0.50%
 
1M Libor + 0.75
 

Secured Debt Financings:

Securitizations

In February 2014, we repaid the outstanding amount plus accrued interest and fees due under Securitization No.1 and terminated the related interest rate derivative, for a total cash payment of $255,186, with proceeds from our December 2013 issuance of our Senior Notes due 2018.




16



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


Bank Financings
In February 2014, we entered into two floating rate loans and one fixed rate loan totaling $303,200 secured by two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and one Airbus A330-200 aircraft we acquired in 2013. In March 2014, we assumed two floating rate loans totaling $40,809 in connection with the acquisition of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. During the third quarter of 2014, we converted both of the floating rate loans related to the Boeing 737-800 aircraft to fixed rate loans.
We include these loan facilities in “Bank Financings”. Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of these Bank Financings.

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Senior Notes due 2021

On March 26, 2014, Aircastle Limited issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Notes”). The 2021 Senior Notes will mature on March 15, 2021 and bear interest at the rate of 5.125% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2014. Interest will accrue on the 2021 Senior Notes from March 26, 2014. Proceeds from the issuance were used to pay-off the outstanding amount of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 plus accrued interest of $10,238, and the call premium of $32,835 on April 25, 2014. We also wrote off $3,735 of debt issuance costs associated with the pay-off of the Senior Notes due 2018. Both the call premium and the write-off of debt issuance costs are included in Other income (expense) - Loss on Extinguishment of Debt on our consolidated statement of income.

2014 Revolving Credit Facility

On March 31, 2014, we amended and restructured our existing $335,000 2013 Revolving Credit Facility with the 2014 Revolving Credit Facility.  The 2014 Revolving Credit Facility was increased to $450,000, has a term of four years and is scheduled to expire in March 2018. The facility was undrawn as of September 30, 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in all of our financings.

Note 8. Dividends
The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared by our board of directors for the periods covered in this report: 
Declaration Date
Dividend
per Common
Share
 
Aggregate
Dividend
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
February 18, 2013
$
0.165

 
$
11,268

 
March 4, 2013
 
March 15, 2013
May 1, 2013
$
0.165

 
$
11,297

 
May 31, 2013
 
June 14, 2013
August 2, 2013
$
0.165

 
$
13,330

 
August 30, 2013
 
September 13, 2013
October 29, 2013
$
0.200

 
$
16,163

 
November 29, 2013
 
December 13, 2013
February 21, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,201

 
March 7, 2014
 
March 14, 2014
May 5, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,202

 
May 30, 2014
 
June 13, 2014
July 28, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,201

 
August 29, 2014
 
September 12, 2014

Note 9. Earnings Per Share
We include all common shares granted under our incentive compensation plan which remain unvested (“restricted common shares”) and contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid

17



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


(“participating securities”), in the number of shares outstanding in our basic earnings per share calculations using the two-class method. All of our restricted common shares are currently participating securities.
Under the two-class method, earnings per common share is computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Because the holders of the participating restricted common shares were not contractually required to share in the Company’s losses, in applying the two-class method to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share, no allocation to restricted common shares was made for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

 
80,389,131

Restricted common shares
669,489

 
600,581

 
562,612

 
581,932

Total weighted-average shares
79,213,869

 
80,990,577

 
72,024,876

 
80,971,063

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding
99.15
%
 
99.26
%
 
99.22
%
 
99.28
%
Restricted common shares
0.85
%
 
0.74
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.72
%
Total
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Earnings per share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)

 
(142
)
 

 
(202
)
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Basic
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,009

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
27,862

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

 
80,389,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic
$
(0.95
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
0.35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)

 
(142
)
 

 
(202
)
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Diluted
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,009

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
27,862

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

  
80,389,131

Effect of dilutive shares(b)

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

  
80,389,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted
$
(0.95
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(0.26
)
  
$
0.35

 

18



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


        
(a)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.85% and 0.74% of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.78% and 0.72% of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
(b)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we had no dilutive shares.


Note 10. Income Taxes
Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. Consequently, the provision for income taxes relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily Ireland, Singapore and the United States.
The sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes and earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
U.S. operations
$
488

 
$
772

 
$
1,684

 
$
2,293

Non-U.S. operations
(75,643
)
 
20,936

 
(13,605
)
 
34,798

Total
$
(75,155
)
 
$
21,708

 
$
(11,921
)
 
$
37,091


All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The aircraft owning subsidiaries resident in Ireland, Mauritius and Singapore are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
We have a U.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We also have Ireland and Singapore based subsidiaries which provide management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
The consolidated income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was determined based upon estimates of the Company’s consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 0.8% and (56.4)% respectively, compared to 16.0% and 29.5% respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. Movements in the effective tax rates are generally caused by changes in the proportion of the Company’s pre-tax earnings in taxable and non-tax jurisdictions. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the interim period effective tax rate reflects the 2013 portfolio impairment of aircraft of $97,592 as a discrete item. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the respective interim period effective tax rates reflects the 2013 portfolio impairment of aircraft of $97,592 and the 2014 loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $36,570 as discrete items.
Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following: 

19



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Notional U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate
$
(26,305
)
 
$
7,598

 
$
(4,173
)
 
$
12,982

U.S. state and local income tax, net
39

 
57

 
125

 
176

Non-U.S. operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bermuda
26,613

 
215

 
13,748

 
6,455

Ireland
(53
)
 
(2,411
)
 
(544
)
 
(3,163
)
Singapore
(170
)
 
(1,418
)
 
(23
)
 
(3,895
)
Other
(820
)
 
(692
)
 
(2,696
)
 
(2,061
)
Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.
107

 
146

 
306

 
464

Other
(8
)
 
(11
)
 
(24
)
 
(33
)
Income tax provision
$
(597
)
 
$
3,484

 
$
6,719

 
$
10,925


Note 11. Interest, Net
The following table shows the components of interest, net: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities (1)
$
47,682

 
$
44,820

 
$
147,096

 
$
144,677

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
93

 
(4
)
 
197

 
55

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
7,300

 
8,549

 
25,285

 
26,730

Amortization of deferred financing fees (2)
2,976

 
3,506

 
11,757

 
10,493

Interest Expense
58,051

 
56,871

 
184,335

 
181,955

Less interest income
(208
)
 
(77
)
 
(684
)
 
(404
)
Interest, net
$
57,843

 
$
56,794

 
$
183,651

 
$
181,551


(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the loan termination fee of $2,954 related to two ECA aircraft sold in June 2013.
(2) For nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the write-off of deferred financings fees of $3,975 related to the repayment of two ECA Financings.

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
At September 30, 2014, we had commitments to acquire 16 aircraft for $805,740. Of those, five acquisitions have closed, and we expect that an additional five will close during the fourth quarter of 2014 and two of these acquisitions will close in the first quarter of 2015. The other four aircraft are Boeing 777-300ERs that may be purchased from and leased back to LATAM once the existing financings are repaid. We do not expect this transaction to be completed before the first half of 2015.

Note 13. Derivatives
The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged.

20



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.
We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2014
 
Derivative Liabilities
Hedged Item
Current
Notional
Amount
 
Effective
Date
 
Maturity
Date
 
Future
Maximum
Notional
Amount
 
Floating
Rate
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 2
$
389,484

 
Jun-12
 
Jun-17
 
$
389,484

 
1M LIBOR
 
1.26%
to
1.28%
 
Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
 
$
3,090

 

In connection with the repayment of Securitization No. 1., two interest rate derivatives hedging the facility were terminated on February 18, 2014, resulting in a net deferred loss of $26,863 which is being amortized into interest expense using the effective interest method over the original hedge term.
The weighted average interest pay rates of these derivatives at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 were 3.03% and 1.27%, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives was $5,193. The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives is $3,622.
Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2014, our interest rate derivatives are held with JP Morgan Chase Bank NA and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Both of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of Aa3 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. Both are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of AA- or above) by Standard and Poor’s. We do not anticipate that either of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2014, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $278 related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
Following is the effect of interest rate derivatives on the statement of financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2014
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
Derivatives in
ASC 815
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
 
Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
OCI on
Derivative
(a)
 
Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
 
Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated
OCI into Income (b)
 
Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on Derivative
 
Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(c)
Interest rate derivatives
 
$(3,068)
 
Interest expense
 
$(31,823)
 
Interest expense
 
$(58)
 
        
(a)
This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(b)
This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
(c)
This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.


21



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under ASC 815
 
Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Recognized in Income
On Derivative
 
Amount of Gain
or (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative
Interest rate derivatives
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
681


On an ongoing basis, terminated interest rate derivative notionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest payments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of deferred net loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $26,182. The amount of deferred net loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our terminated interest rate derivatives is $27,231, of which $7,711 relates to Term Financing No. 1 interest rate derivatives terminated in 2012, $11,072 relates to Securitization No. l interest rate derivatives terminated in 2014, $5,990 relates to ECA Term Financings for New A330 Aircraft, $1,267 relates to other financings and $1,191 relates to Term Financing No. 1 derivatives terminated in 2008.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of effective deferred loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our designated active interest rate derivative was $548.
The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedge ineffectiveness losses
$
93

 
$
(4
)
 
$
197

 
$
55

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses (1)
(2
)
 
(17
)
 
2,025

 
(14
)
Amortization of loss on designated interest rate derivative
423

 

 
1,168

 
548

Amortization of deferred losses
6,879

 
8,566

 
22,092

 
26,196

Total Amortization
7,300

 
8,549

 
25,285

 
26,730

Total charged to interest expense
$
7,393

 
$
8,545

 
$
25,482

 
$
26,785

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark to market gains on undesignated interest rate derivatives
$
855

 
$

 
$
3,727

 
$
681

Total charged to other income
$
855

 
$

 
$
3,727

 
$
681

        
(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, represents accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses related to two aircraft sold in June 2013.

Note 14. Other Assets
The following table describes the principal components of other assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of:

22



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $61,104 and $50,115, respectively
$
52,464

 
$
54,856

Deferred federal income tax asset
1,218

 
1,135

Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $41,136 and $23,458, respectively
72,181

 
72,355

Flight equipment held for sale
9,474

 
31,040

Aircraft purchase deposits
10,000

 

Other assets
8,639

 
16,068

Total other assets
$
153,976

 
$
175,454

 


Note 15. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
The following table describes the principal components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
30,204

 
$
47,345

Deferred federal income tax liability
33,178

 
32,351

Accrued interest payable
39,213

 
48,716

Lease discounts, net of amortization of $6,458 and $6,774 respectively
9,066

 
34,558

Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
111,661

 
$
162,970



Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table describes the principal components of accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component(a)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Beginning balance
$
(57,342
)
 
$
(75,905
)
Amount recognized in other comprehensive loss on derivatives, net of tax expense of $7 and $728, respectively
509

 
(3,068
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, net of tax expense of $14 and $97, respectively
9,683

 
31,823

   Net current period other comprehensive income
10,192

 
28,755

Ending balance
$
(47,150
)
 
$
(47,150
)
        

(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.



23



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2014


Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
Amount of effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses(b)
$
8,549

 
$
26,730

Effective amount of net settlements of interest rate derivatives, net of tax expense of $14 and $97, respectively(b)
1,134

 
5,093

   Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income(c)
$
9,683

 
$
31,823

            


(a) All amounts are net of tax.
(b) Included in interest expense.
(c) This represents the effective amounts of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses (see Note 13. - Derivatives).



24


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The results of operations for the periods reflected herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for future periods, and our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” and included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or US GAAP, and, unless otherwise indicated, the other financial information contained in this report has also been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this report are to, and all monetary amounts in this report are presented in, U.S. dollars.
Certain items in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”), and other information we provide from time to time, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from Aircastle expectations include, but are not limited to, capital markets disruption or volatility which could adversely affect our continued ability to obtain additional capital to finance new investments or our working capital needs; government fiscal or tax policies, general economic and business conditions or other factors affecting demand for aircraft or aircraft values and lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to capital, reduced load factors and/or reduced yields, operational disruptions caused by political unrest and other factors affecting the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform their obligations under our leases and other risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle’s filings with the SEC including as previously disclosed in Aircastle’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and elsewhere in this report. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Aircastle expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

WEBSITE AND ACCESS TO COMPANY’S REPORTS
The Company’s Internet website can be found at www.aircastle.com. Our annual reports on Forms 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are available free of charge through our website under “Investors — SEC Filings” as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
Statements and information concerning our status as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) for U.S. taxpayers are also available free of charge through our website under “Investors — SEC Filings”.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Board of Directors committee charters (including the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) are available free of charge through our website under “Investors — Corporate Governance”. In addition, our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, which applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Controller, is available in print, free of charge, to

25


any shareholder upon request to Investor Relations, Aircastle Limited, c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC, 300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.
The information on the Company’s website is not part of, or incorporated by reference, into this report, or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

OVERVIEW
We acquire, lease, and sell commercial jet aircraft with large, global operator bases and long useful lives. As of September 30, 2014, our portfolio consisted of 140 aircraft leased to 61 lessees located in 37 countries. Our aircraft fleet is managed by an experienced team based in the United States, Ireland and Singapore. Typically, our aircraft are subject to net leases whereby the lessee is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs, although in a majority of cases, we are obligated to pay a portion of specified maintenance or modification costs. From time to time, we also make investments in other aviation assets, including debt investments secured by commercial jet aircraft. As of September 30, 2014, the net book value of our flight equipment and finance lease aircraft was $5.30 billion compared to $5.19 billion at the end of 2013. Our revenues and net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $177.6 million and $19.2 million, and $580.3 million and $28.1 million, respectively.
Commercial air travel and air freight activity have been long-term growth sectors, broadly correlated with world economic activity and expanding at a rate of one to two times the rate of global GDP growth. The expansion of air travel has driven a rise in the world aircraft fleet. There are currently more than 18,000 commercial mainline passenger and freighter aircraft in operation worldwide. This fleet is expected to continue expanding at an average annual rate, net of retirements, of three to five percent per annum over the next 20 years. In addition, aircraft leasing companies own an increasing share of the world’s commercial jet aircraft, and now account for approximately 40% of this fleet.
Notwithstanding the sector’s long-term growth, the aviation markets have been, and are expected to remain, subject to economic cyclicality, as well as to fuel prices. The industry is also susceptible to external shocks, such as regional conflicts, terrorist events and to disruptions caused by severe weather events and other natural phenomena. Mitigating these risks is the portability of the assets, allowing aircraft to be redeployed in locations where demand is higher.
Air traffic data for the first eight months of 2014 showed a continued strong trend in passenger market growth. Air cargo traffic showed slow improvement as world trade and economic growth increased.  According to the International Air Transport Association, during 2014 global passenger traffic increased by 5.8% and air cargo traffic increased by 4.5% as compared to the same period in 2013.  Passenger traffic growth was strong, driven by rising economic growth and business confidence.  The air cargo market, which is more sensitive than the passenger sector to economic conditions, appears to have stabilized after weak performances in 2012 and 2011, although the air cargo market continues to be hampered by persistent overcapacity.
There are significant regional variations in both passenger and air cargo demand. Certain emerging market economies such as China, Turkey, and Brazil, among others, have been experiencing significant increases in air traffic, driven by rising levels of per capita air travel. Air traffic in other regions is being driven by a more long-term structural change in global traffic flows, particularly the growth in long-haul “hub and spoke” traffic flowing through the Persian Gulf. In contrast, more mature markets such as North America and Western Europe are likely to grow more slowly in tandem with their economies. Additionally, airlines operating in areas with political instability have seen more modest growth and their outlook is more uncertain. Recent health concerns relating to the Ebola virus as well as heightened geopolitical conflicts may also play a role in the near-term development of air traffic. However, in aggregate, we believe that passenger and cargo traffic will increase over time and we expect demand for modern, fuel efficient aircraft to continue to remain strong over the long run.
Capital availability for aircraft has varied over time, but has been generally strong over the past several years in the world’s debt and equity markets. Strong U.S. debt capital markets conditions particularly benefited certain borrowers by permitting access to financing at historic lows while higher fees have driven down export credit agency (“ECA”) demand. Commercial bank debt continued to play a critical role in the air finance market with traditional aviation lenders, along with a number of new entrants, providing capacity to top tier airlines and lessors. Although financing for used aircraft has improved relative to the prior year as bank lenders and bond investors seek higher returns on investments, absolute levels of capacity remain low compared to new aircraft financing opportunities. We believe these market forces should generate attractive new investment and trading opportunities upon which we are well placed to capitalize given our access to the U.S. capital markets.

26


We plan to grow our business and profits over the long-term by continuing to employ the following elements of our fundamental business strategy:
Pursuing a disciplined, “value oriented” investment strategy. In our view, the relative values of different aircraft investments change over time. As a consequence, we maintain a “value oriented” investment strategy to seek out the best risk-adjusted return opportunities across the commercial jet market. To this end, we carefully evaluate investments across different aircraft models, ages, lessees and acquisition sources and re-evaluate these choices periodically as market conditions and relative investment values change. In this respect, we believe the financing flexibility offered through unsecured debt enables our value oriented strategy and provides us with a competitive advantage for many investment opportunities. We believe this approach is somewhat unique among the larger aircraft leasing companies.
Investing in additional commercial jet aircraft and other aviation assets when attractively priced opportunities and cost effective financing are available. We believe the large and growing aircraft market, together with ongoing fleet replacements, will provide significant acquisition opportunities. We regularly evaluate potential aircraft acquisitions and expect to continue our investment program through additional purchases when attractively priced opportunities and cost effective financing are available.
Maintaining efficient access to capital from a wide range of sources. We believe the aircraft investment market is subject to forces related to the business cycle. Our strategy is to increase our purchase activity when prices are low and to emphasize asset sales when competition and therefore prices for assets is high. In order to implement this approach, we believe maintaining access to a wide variety of financing sources over the business cycle is very important. To that end, our strategy is to maintain corporate credit ratings from major ratings agencies, manage to strong credit metrics, own a large pool of unencumbered assets and increase our asset base so as to maintain good access to capital during a variety of business conditions.
Selling assets when attractive opportunities arise and for portfolio management purposes. We pursue asset sales as opportunities arise over the course of the business cycle with the aim of realizing profits and reinvesting proceeds where more accretive investments are available. We also use asset sales for portfolio management purposes such as reducing lessee specific concentrations and lowering residual value exposures to certain aircraft types and also to exit from an investment when a sale would provide the greatest expected cash flow for us.
Leveraging our efficient operating platform and strong operating track record. We believe our team’s capabilities in the global aircraft leasing market place us in a favorable position to source and manage new income-generating activities. We intend to continue to focus our efforts in areas where we believe we have competitive advantages, including new direct investments as well as ventures with strategic business partners.
Intending to pay quarterly dividends to our shareholders based on the Company’s sustainable earnings levels. However our ability to pay quarterly dividends will depend upon many factors, including those as described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On July 28, 2014, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share, or an aggregate of $16.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, which was paid on September 12, 2014 to holders of record on August 29, 2014. These dividends may not be indicative of the amount of any future dividends.

We also believe our team’s capabilities in the global aircraft leasing market place us in a favorable position to explore new income-generating activities as capital becomes available for such activities. We intend to continue to focus our efforts on investment opportunities in areas where we believe we have competitive advantages and on transactions that offer attractive risk/return profiles after taking into consideration available financing options. In any case, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access capital on a cost-effective basis, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Revenues
Our revenues are comprised primarily of operating lease rentals on flight equipment held for lease, revenue from retained maintenance payments related to lease expirations, lease termination payments, lease incentive amortization and interest recognized from finance leases.

27


Typically, our aircraft are subject to net operating leases whereby the lessee pays lease rentals and is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs, although in a majority of cases we are obligated to pay a portion of specified maintenance or modification costs. Our aircraft lease agreements generally provide for the periodic payment of a fixed amount of rent over the life of the lease and the amount of the contracted rent will depend upon the type, age, specification and condition of the aircraft and market conditions at the time the lease is committed. The amount of rent we receive will depend on a number of factors, including the credit-worthiness of our lessees and the occurrence of delinquencies, restructurings and defaults. Our lease rental revenues are also affected by the extent to which aircraft are off-lease and our ability to remarket aircraft that are nearing the end of their leases in order to minimize their off-lease time. Our success in re-leasing aircraft is affected by market conditions relating to our aircraft and by general industry conditions and trends. An increase in the percentage of off-lease aircraft or a reduction in lease rates upon remarketing would negatively impact our revenues.
Under an operating lease, the lessee will be responsible for performing maintenance on the relevant aircraft and will typically be required to make payments to us for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components of the aircraft. These maintenance payments are based on hours or cycles of utilization or on calendar time, depending upon the component, and would be made either monthly in arrears or at the end of the lease term. For maintenance payments made monthly in arrears during a lease term, we will typically be required to reimburse all or a portion of these payments to the lessee upon their completion of the relevant heavy maintenance, overhaul or parts replacement. We record maintenance payments paid by the lessee during a lease as accrued maintenance liabilities in recognition of our obligation in the lease to refund such payments, and therefore we do not recognize maintenance revenue during the lease. Maintenance revenue recognition would occur at the end of a lease, when we are able to determine the amount, if any, by which reserve payments received exceed the amount we are required under the lease to reimburse to the lessee for heavy maintenance, overhaul or parts replacement.
The amount of maintenance revenue we recognize in any reporting period is inherently volatile and is dependent upon a number of factors, including the timing of lease expiries, including scheduled and unscheduled expiries, the timing of maintenance events and the utilization of the aircraft by the lessee. If a lease requires end of lease term maintenance payments, typically the lessee would be required to pay us for its utilization of the aircraft during the lease; however, in some cases, we may owe a net payment (referred to as contra maintenance revenue) to the lessee in the event heavy maintenance is performed and paid for by the lessee during the lease term and the aircraft is returned to us in better condition than at lease inception.
Many of our leases contain provisions which may require us to pay a portion of the lessee’s costs for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components in excess of amounts paid to us by the lessee in the form of maintenance payments. We account for these expected payments as lease incentives, which are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the life of the lease. We estimate the amount of our portion for such costs, typically for the first major maintenance event for the airframe, engines, landing gear and auxiliary power units, expected to be paid to the lessee based on assumed utilization of the related aircraft by the lessee, the anticipated cost of the maintenance event and the estimated amounts the lessee is responsible to pay.
This estimated lease incentive is not recognized as a lease incentive liability at the inception of the lease. We recognize the lease incentive as a reduction of lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, with the offset being recorded as a lease incentive liability which is included in maintenance payments on the balance sheet. The payment to the lessee for the lease incentive liability is first recorded against the lease incentive liability and any excess above the lease incentive liability is recorded as a prepaid lease incentive asset which is included in other assets on the balance sheet and continues to amortize over the remaining life of the lease.
When we acquire a leased aircraft, determining the fair value of the attached lease requires us to make assumptions regarding the current fair value of that lease. In doing so, we estimate a range of current lease rates of like aircraft in order to determine if the relevant lease is within a fair value range. If the lease rental is below or above the range of current lease rates, we present value the estimated amount below or above the fair value range over the remaining term of the lease. The resulting lease discount or premium is recorded as a liability or asset and is amortized into lease rental income over the remaining term of the lease.

2014 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
With regards to aircraft with leases expiring in 2014, since the beginning of the year, we sold, leased or have lease commitments for 26 of these aircraft. This leaves one aircraft representing less than one percent of our net book value of

28


flight equipment (including flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) at September 30, 2014, to market for lease or sale. We expect to sell this aircraft.

2015-2018 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
Taking into account lease and sale commitments, we currently have the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the period 2015-2018 representing the percentage of our net book value of flight equipment (including flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) at September 30, 2014 specified below:
2015: 12 aircraft, representing 6%;
2016: 22 aircraft, representing 10%;
2017: 27 aircraft, representing 19%; and
2018: 18 aircraft, representing 14%.

Operating Expenses
Operating expenses are comprised of depreciation of flight equipment held for lease, interest expense, selling, general and administrative expenses, aircraft impairment charges and maintenance and other costs. Because our operating lease terms generally require the lessee to pay for operating, maintenance and insurance costs, our portion of maintenance and other costs relating to aircraft reflected in our statement of income primarily relates to expenses for unscheduled lease terminations.

Income Tax Provision
We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 2035, be applicable to us or to any of our operations or to our shares, debentures or other obligations except insofar as such tax applies to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda or to any taxes payable by us in respect of real property owned or leased by us in Bermuda. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily Ireland, Singapore and the United States.
All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The aircraft owning subsidiaries resident in Ireland, Mauritius and Singapore are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
We have a U.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We also have Ireland and Singapore based subsidiaries which provide management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.

Acquisitions and Sales
During the first nine months of 2014, we acquired 14 aircraft for $1.03 billion. Ten aircraft that were less than five years old accounted for $935.6 million of this total. As of September 30, 2014, we also had commitments to acquire 16 additional aircraft for approximately $805.7 million. Of those, five acquisitions have closed for approximately $253.5 million, and we expect that an additional five will close for approximately $102.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2014 and two will close for approximately $87.0 million during the first quarter of 2015. The four other aircraft are Boeing 777-300ERs that may be purchased from and leased back to LATAM once the existing financings are repaid. We do not expect this transaction to be completed before the first half of 2015.
During the first nine months of 2014, we sold 35 aircraft, including five freighters and eleven older technology aircraft for $563.9 million and we repaid $20.2 million in associated debt. Of these, 12 aircraft were sold during the third quarter. Thirteen of our 2014 dispositions were “exit sales” of aircraft nearing the end of their economic lives. Exit sales

29


usually follow from a determination that the best economic decision for an aircraft is to sell it as it reaches lease expiry rather than to reinvest and enable a follow-on lease.
The other 22 aircraft sales were “opportunistic” and reflect favorable current market conditions. These sales are intended to capture strong market demand and enable us to realize gains and generally represent situations where we believe we can deploy our capital more efficiently be reinvesting in other assets. Included in these 22 aircraft in the table below was one Boeing 777-300ER on lease with LATAM that was sold to our joint venture with Teachers’.
We also determined that we intend to sell two other Boeing 747-400 converted freighter aircraft by the end of this year. One of these is in the process of being parted-out and the other is due to come off-lease during the fourth quarter.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Number of Aircraft
 
Maintenance Revenue
 
Lease Incentive Revenue(1)
 
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Flight Equipment
 
Impairment
 
Pre-tax Impact
Opportunistic sales
22

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,628

 
$

 
$
29,628

Exit sales
13

 
27,952

 
154

 
(16,244
)
 

 
11,862

  Total sales
35

 
27,952

 
154

 
13,384

 

 
41,490

Freighter Exits
2

 
6,570

 
3,626

 

 
(28,306
)
 
(18,110
)
  Total
37

 
$
34,522

 
$
3,780

 
$
13,384

 
$
(28,306
)
 
$
23,380

        
(1)Included in Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the aircraft owned by us as of September 30, 2014:
AIRCASTLE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION (dollars in millions)
 
Owned
Aircraft as of
September 30,  2013(1)
 
Owned
Aircraft as of
September 30,  2014(1)
Flight Equipment
$
5,086

 
$
5,304

Unencumbered Flight Equipment
$
2,712

 
$
2,924

Number of Aircraft
161

 
140

Number of Unencumbered Aircraft
80

 
85

Number of Lessees
68

 
61

Number of Countries
37

 
37

Weighted Average Age – Passenger (years)(2)
9.2

 
7.8

Weighted Average Age – Freighter (years)(2)
12.9

 
12.6

Weighted Average Age – Combined (years)(2)
10.0

 
8.6

Weighted Average Remaining Passenger Lease Term (years)(3)
5.4

 
5.3

Weighted Average Remaining Freighter Lease Term (years)(3)
4.0

 
3.5

Weighted Average Remaining Combined Lease Term (years)(3)
5.1

 
5.0

Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014(4)
100
%
 
100
%
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014(4)
98
%
 
99
%
Portfolio Yield for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014(5)
13.7
%
 
13.2
%
Portfolio Yield for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014(5)
13.5
%
 
13.3
%
 
        
(1)
Calculated using net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases at period end.
(2)
Weighted average age by net book value.
(3)
Weighted average remaining lease term by net book value.
(4)
Aircraft on-lease days as a percent of total days in period weighted by net book value.
(5)
Lease rental revenue for the period as a percent of the average net book value of flight equipment held for lease for the period; quarterly information is annualized.

Our owned aircraft portfolio as of September 30, 2014 is listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

30



PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
 
 
Owned Aircraft as  of
September 30, 2014
 
Number of
Aircraft
 
% of Net
Book  Value(1)
Aircraft Type
 
 
 
Passenger:
 
 
 
Narrowbody
86

 
32
%
Midbody
29

 
30
%
Widebody
9

 
22
%
Total Passenger
124

 
84
%
Freighter
16

 
16
%
Total
140

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
Manufacturer
 
 
 
Boeing
81

 
57
%
Airbus
53

 
40
%
Embraer
6

 
3
%
Total
140

 
100
%
 
 
 
 
Regional Diversification
 
 
 
Europe
59

 
28
%
Asia and Pacific
45

 
42
%
North America
19

 
8
%
South America
11

 
12
%
Middle East and Africa
6

 
10
%
Total
140

 
100
%
 
        
(1)
Calculated using net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases at period end.





31


Our largest customer represents less than 9% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) at September 30, 2014. Our top 15 customers for aircraft we owned at September 30, 2014, representing 61 aircraft and 64% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease, are as follows:
Percent of Net Book Value
 
Customer
 
Country
 
Number of
Aircraft
Greater than 6% per customer
 
Thai Airways
 
Thailand
 
3
 
 
LATAM
 
Chile
 
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3% to 6% per customer
 
South African Airways
 
South Africa
 
4
 
 
Singapore Airlines
 
Singapore
 
4
 
 
Martinair(1)
 
Netherlands
 
5
 
 
Emirates
 
United Arab Emirates
 
2
 
 
Garuda
 
Indonesia
 
4
 
 
Virgin Australia
 
Australia
 
2
 
 
AirBridge Cargo(2)
 
Russia
 
2
 
 
Jet Airways
 
India
 
6
 
 
Azul
 
Brazil
 
5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 3% per customer
 
US Airways(3)
 
USA
 
11
 
 
Air Atlanta
 
Iceland
 
4
 
 
EVA Airways
 
Taiwan
 
4
 
 
Air Canada
 
Canada
 
2
 
        

(1)
If combined with one other affiliated customer, represents 5.1% of flight equipment held for lease.
(2)
Guaranteed by Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
(3)
US Airways has merged with American Airlines.


Finance
We intend to fund new investments through cash on hand, cash flows from operations and through medium-to longer-term financings on a secured or unsecured basis. We may repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with the net proceeds from subsequent long-term debt financings, additional equity offerings, cash generated from operations and asset sales. Therefore, our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the acquisition of additional commercial jet aircraft or other aviation assets, depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain additional debt and equity capital on terms we deem attractive.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


32


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2013 to the three months ended September 30, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
161,148

 
$
178,886

     Finance lease revenue
4,122

 
1,463

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(9,737
)
 
(1,075
)
Maintenance revenue (including contra maintenance revenue of $0 and $8,655 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively)
12,932

 
(4,189
)
Total lease revenue
168,465

 
175,085

Other revenue
1,625

 
2,511

Total revenues
170,090

 
177,596

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation
70,469

 
75,519

Interest, net
57,843

 
56,794

Selling, general and administrative
12,830

 
13,817

Impairment of aircraft
106,136

 
20,436

Maintenance and other costs
1,914

 
713

Total operating expenses
249,192

 
167,279

Other income:
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
3,092

 
11,390

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

Other
855

 
1

Total other income
3,947

 
11,391

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(75,155
)
 
21,708

Income tax provision (benefit)
(597
)
 
3,484

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax

 
927

Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151


Revenues:
Total revenues increased by 4.4%, or $7.5 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of the following:
Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily the result of:
$43.3 million of revenue reflecting the full quarter impact of 16 aircraft purchased in 2013 and 12 aircraft purchased in 2014.
This increase was offset partially by a decrease in lease rental revenue of:
$21.1 million due to aircraft sales; and
$2.9 million from the effect of lease terminations and other changes and $1.5 million due to lease extensions and transitions.

Finance lease revenue: For the three months ended September 30, 2014, $1.5 million of interest income from finance leases was recognized as compared to $4.1 million of interest income from finance leases recorded for the same period in 2013 due to the sale of six aircraft during the second quarter of 2014.

33


Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of lease incentives
$
(7,886
)
 
$
(1,549
)
Amortization of lease premiums
(2,347
)
 
(2,073
)
Amortization of lease discounts
496

 
2,547

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
$
(9,737
)
 
$
(1,075
)

As more fully described above under “Revenues,” lease incentives represent our estimated portion of the lessee’s cost for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components which is amortized over the life of the related lease. As we enter into new leases, the amortization of lease incentives generally increases and, conversely, if a related lease terminates, the related unused lease incentive liability will reduce the amortization of lease incentives. The decrease in amortization of lease incentives of $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to the reversal of $5.3 million of lease incentive amortization in the three months ended September 30, 2014 related to a change in forecasted maintenance events for three leases.
As more fully described above under “Revenues,” lease discounts represent the present value of the amount below current lease rates for acquired aircraft with attached leases. The increase in amortization of lease discounts of $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 resulted from six aircraft purchases in 2014 and the full quarter amortization of four aircraft purchased during the last quarter of 2013.

Maintenance revenue.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
Dollars
(in  thousands)
 
Number of
Leases
 
Dollars
(in thousands)
 
Number of
Leases
Unscheduled lease terminations
$
12,056

 
1
 
$
288

 
1
Scheduled lease terminations
876

 
2
 
(4,477
)
 
4
Maintenance revenue
$
12,932

 
3
 
$
(4,189
)
 
5
Unscheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded maintenance revenue from unscheduled lease terminations of $12.1 million primarily associated with one aircraft returned in the third quarter of 2013 resulting from an early termination agreement with the lessee. Comparatively, for the same period in 2014, we recorded $0.3 million of maintenance revenue from unscheduled lease terminations resulting from an early termination agreement with the lessee.
Scheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $0.9 million of maintenance revenue from two scheduled lease terminations. Comparatively, for the same period in 2014, we recorded $4.2 million of maintenance revenue from two scheduled lease terminations, offset by $8.7 million of contra maintenance revenue related to two scheduled lease terminations.
Other revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, other revenue was $1.6 million which represents additional fees paid by one lessee in connection with the early termination of one lease. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, other revenue was $2.5 million which primarily represents additional fees paid by one lessee in connection with the early termination of one lease.

Operating expenses:
Total operating expenses decreased by $81.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of the following:

34


Depreciation expense increased by 7.2%, or $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. The net increase is primarily the result of:
a $14.9 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired; and
a $3.0 million increase due to changes in asset lives and residual values.
This increase was partially offset by:
a $12.3 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sales; and
a $0.6 million decrease due to capitalized aircraft improvements being fully depreciated.

Interest, net consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
$
47,682

 
$
44,820

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
93

 
(4
)
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
7,300

 
8,549

Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
2,976

 
3,506

Interest Expense
58,051

 
56,871

Less interest income
(208
)
 
(77
)
Interest, net
$
57,843

 
$
56,794

Interest, net decreased by $1.0 million, or 1.8%, over the three months ended September 30, 2013. The net decrease is primarily a result of:
lower interest expense on borrowings of $2.9 million driven primarily by a lower weighted average interest rate of 4.78% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to 5.63% a year ago.
The decrease was partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses primarily due to the repayment of Securitization No. 1.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased slightly over the same period in 2013. Non-cash share based expense was $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Impairment of Aircraft - See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of impairment charges related to certain aircraft.
Maintenance and other costs were $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of $1.2 million over the same period in 2013. The net decrease is primarily related to lower maintenance costs of $1.1 million related to unscheduled terminations and $0.2 million related to scheduled terminations and transitions for the three months ended September 30, 2014 versus the same period in 2013.  This decrease is partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in maintenance costs attributable to routine costs such as inspections.

Other income (expense):
Total other income (expense) increased $7.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily as a result of the following:

Gain on sale of flight equipment consisted of 11 “opportunistic” aircraft sales reflecting favorable current market conditions in 2014 versus none in 2013.  These sales are intended to capture strong market demand and enable us to realize gains and generally represent situations where we believe we can deploy our capital more efficiently by reinvesting in other assets.


35


Loss on sale of flight equipment consisted of one “exit sale” aircraft disposition nearing the end of its economic life versus four in 2013.  Exit sales usually follow from a determination that the best economic decision for an aircraft is to sell it as it reaches lease expiry rather than to reinvest and enable a follow-on lease.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Number of Aircraft
 
Maintenance Revenue
 
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Flight Equipment
 
Pre-tax Impact
Opportunistic sales
11

 
$

 
$
12,651

 
$
12,651

Exit sales
1

 
23

 
(1,261
)
 
(1,238
)
  Total sales
12

 
$
23

 
$
11,390

 
$
11,413


Other decreased by $0.9 million, primarily related to the mark to market value of an undesignated interest rate derivative.

Income tax provision
Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was $(0.6) million and $3.5 million, respectively. Income taxes have been provided based on the applicable tax laws and rates of those countries in which operations are conducted and income is earned, primarily Ireland, Singapore and the United States. The increase in our income tax provision of approximately $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to changes in operating income subject to tax in Ireland, Singapore, the United States and other jurisdictions and treating the $97.6 million portfolio impairment of aircraft as a discrete item in 2013.
All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The aircraft owning subsidiaries resident in Ireland, Mauritius and Singapore are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
We have a U.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We also have Ireland and Singapore based subsidiaries which provide management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $78 and $21, respectively
1,798

 
1,643

Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
7,300

 
8,549

Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
(65,460
)
 
$
29,343


Other comprehensive income was $29.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $94.8 million from the $65.5 million of other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 primarily consisted of:
$19.2 million of net income; and

36


$8.5 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Other comprehensive loss for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily consisted of:
$74.6 million of net loss;
an $1.8 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the three months ended September 30, 2013, partially offset by a slight loss due to a downward shift in the one-month LIBOR forward curve; and
$7.3 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
475,656

 
$
536,452

     Finance lease revenue
12,120

 
9,347

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(25,527
)
 
(7,252
)
Maintenance revenue (including contra maintenance revenue of $0 and $25,037 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively)
42,983

 
35,035

Total lease revenue
505,232

 
573,582

Other revenue
11,425

 
6,763

Total revenues
516,657

 
580,345

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation
212,448

 
225,230

Interest, net
183,651

 
181,551

Selling, general and administrative
39,297

 
41,818

Impairment of aircraft
112,335

 
67,005

Maintenance and other costs
11,464

 
5,222

Total operating expenses
559,195

 
520,826

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
25,601

 
13,384

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(36,570
)
Other
5,016

 
758

Total other income (expense)
30,617

 
(22,428
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(11,921
)
 
37,091

Income tax provision
6,719

 
10,925

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax

 
1,898

Net income (loss)
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064




37


Revenues:
Total revenues increased by 12.3%, or $63.7 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of the following:
Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $60.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily the result of:
$125.8 million of revenue reflecting the full quarter impact of 20 aircraft purchased in 2013 and 12 aircraft purchased in 2014.
This increase was offset partially by a decrease in lease rental revenue of:
$57.1 million due to aircraft sales; and
$8.9 million from the effect of lease terminations and other changes offset by $1.0 million due to lease extensions and transitions.

Finance lease revenue: For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $9.3 million of interest income from finance leases was recognized as compared to $12.1 million of interest income from finance leases recorded for the same period in 2013 due to the sale of six aircraft during the second quarter of 2014.

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of lease incentives
$
(20,072
)
 
$
(7,703
)
Amortization of lease premiums
(6,473
)
 
(6,586
)
Amortization of lease discounts
1,018

 
7,037

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
$
(25,527
)
 
$
(7,252
)

As more fully described above under “Revenues,” lease incentives represent our estimated portion of the lessee’s cost for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components which is amortized over the life of the related lease. As we enter into new leases, the amortization of lease incentives generally increases and, conversely, if a related lease terminates, the related unused lease incentive liability will reduce the amortization of lease incentives. The decrease in amortization of lease incentives of 12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to the reversal of $11.0 million of lease incentive amortization in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to a change in forecasted maintenance events for three leases.
As more fully described above under “Revenues,” lease discounts represent the present value of the amount below current lease rates for acquired aircraft with attached leases. The increase in amortization of lease discounts of $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 resulted from six aircraft purchases in 2014 and the full nine months amortization of four aircraft purchased during the last quarter of 2013.

Maintenance revenue.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
Dollars
(in  thousands)
 
Number of
Leases
 
Dollars
(in thousands)
 
Number of
Leases
Unscheduled lease terminations
$
32,051

 
8
 
$
469

 
2
Scheduled lease terminations
10,932

 
6
 
34,566

 
20
Maintenance revenue
$
42,983

 
14
 
$
35,035

 
22

38


Unscheduled lease terminations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded maintenance revenue from unscheduled lease terminations of $32.1 million primarily associated with eight aircraft returned in the first half of 2013 resulting from early termination agreements with those leases. Comparatively, for the same period in 2014, we recorded maintenance revenue totaling $0.5 million from unscheduled lease terminations primarily associated with one aircraft returned in the fourth quarter of 2013 resulting from an early termination agreement with the lessee.
Scheduled lease terminations. As more fully described above under “Revenues,” contra maintenance revenue represents the net payment to a lessee in the event heavy maintenance is performed and paid for by the lessee during the lease term and the aircraft is returned to us in better condition than at lease inception. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $10.9 million of maintenance revenue primarily from six scheduled lease terminations. Comparatively, for the same period in 2014, we recorded $59.6 million of maintenance revenue from 14 scheduled lease terminations offset by $25.0 million of contra maintenance revenue related to five scheduled lease terminations and $6.6 from a change in estimate for an aircraft scheduled to return in December 2014.
Other revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, other revenue was $11.4 million which was comprised of $1.7 million of interest on our debt investments and $9.6 million recognized in additional fees paid by six lessees in connection with the early termination of eight leases. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, other revenue was $6.8 million which primarily represents additional fees paid by one lessee in connection with the early termination of one lease.

Operating expenses:
Total operating expenses decreased $38.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of the following:
Depreciation expense increased by 6.0%, or $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. The net increase is primarily the result of :
a $44.3 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired; and
a $5.3 million increase due to changes in asset lives and residual values.
This increase was partially offset by:
a $34.8 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sales; and
a $1.9 million decrease due to capitalized aircraft improvements being fully depreciated.

Interest, net consisted of the following:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
$
147,096

 
$
144,677

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
197

 
55

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
25,285

 
26,730

Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
11,757

 
10,493

Interest Expense
184,335

 
181,955

Less interest income
(684
)
 
(404
)
Interest, net
$
183,651

 
$
181,551

Interest, net decreased by $2.1 million, or 1.1%, over the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The net decrease is primarily a result of:
a $2.4 million decrease in interest on borrowings reflecting $3.0 million of loan breakage fees incurred in June 2013 as a result of the early repayment of 2 ECA loans; and

39


a $1.3 million decrease in amortization of deferred financing fees primarily due to the write off of fees related to the early repayment of the 2 ECA loans in June 2013.
The decreases were offset by a $1.4 million increase in the amortization of deferred losses reflecting the increased amortization expense due to the repayment of Securitization No. 1.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased slightly over the same period in 2013. Non-cash share based expense was $2.9 million and $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Impairment of Aircraft - See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of impairment charges related to certain aircraft.
Maintenance and other costs were $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of $6.2 million over the same period in 2013. The net decrease is primarily related to lower maintenance costs of $3.7 million related to scheduled terminations and $2.6 million related to unscheduled terminations and transitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the same period in 2013. 

Other income (expense):
Total other income (expense) decreased $53.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily as a result of the following:

Gain on sale of flight equipment consisted of 22 “opportunistic” aircraft sales reflecting favorable current market conditions in 2014 versus three in 2013.  These sales are intended to capture strong market demand and enable us to realize gains and generally represent situations where we believe we can deploy our capital more efficiently by reinvesting in other assets.

Loss on sale of flight equipment consisted of 13 “exit sales” aircraft dispositions nearing the end of their economic lives versus 13 in 2013.  Exit sales usually follow from a determination that the best economic decision for an aircraft is to sell it as it reaches lease expiry rather than to reinvest and enable a follow-on lease.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Number of Aircraft
 
Maintenance Revenue
 
Lease Incentive Revenue(1)
 
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Flight Equipment
 
Pre-tax Impact
Opportunistic sales
22

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,628

 
$
29,628

Exit sales
13

 
27,952

 
154

 
(16,244
)
 
11,862

  Total sales
35

 
$
27,952

 
$
154

 
$
13,384

 
$
41,490

_______________
(1) Included in Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.

Loss on extinguishment of debt of $36.6 million related to the early payment of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018.
Other decreased by $4.3 million, primarily related to the mark to market value of an undesignated interest rate derivative.

Income tax provision
Our provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 was $6.7 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Income taxes have been provided based on the applicable tax laws and rates of those countries in which operations are conducted and income is earned, primarily Ireland, Singapore and the United States. The increase in our income tax provision of approximately $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to changes in operating income subject to tax in Ireland, Singapore, the United States and other jurisdictions and treating as discrete items the $36.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt relating to Bermuda operations in 2014 and the $97.6 million portfolio impairment of aircraft in 2013.
All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be

40


subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The aircraft owning subsidiaries resident in Ireland, Mauritius and Singapore are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
We have a U.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We also have Ireland and Singapore based subsidiaries which provide management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and are subject to tax in those respective jurisdictions.
The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.

Other comprehensive income:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $389 and $825, respectively
13,751

 
2,025

Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
25,285

 
26,730

Total comprehensive income
$
20,396

 
$
56,819


Other comprehensive income was $56.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $36.4 million from the $20.4 million of other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily consisted of:
$28.1 million of net income;
$2.0 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the three months ended September 30, 2014 partially offset by a slight loss due to a downward shift in the one-month LIBOR forward curve; and
$26.7 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily consisted of:
$(18.6) million of net loss;
a $13.8 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, partially offset by a slight loss due to a downward shift in the one-month LIBOR forward curve; and
$25.3 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment
As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, we perform a recoverability assessment of each aircraft in our fleet, at least annually, generally during the third quarter. In addition, a recoverability assessment is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances, or indicators, suggest the carrying amount or net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, significant change in aircraft model’s storage levels, the introduction of newer technology aircraft, an aircraft type is no longer in production or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. When we perform a recoverability assessment, we measure whether the estimated, future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated from the aircraft exceed its net book value. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted lease rental and maintenance payments, future projected lease rates, transition costs, estimated down time,

41


estimated residual or scrap values for an aircraft, economic conditions and other factors. In the event that an aircraft does not meet the recoverability test, the aircraft value will be adjusted down to fair value, resulting in an impairment charge.
Management develops the assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are impacted by changes in future periods due to changes in projected lease rental and maintenance payments, residual values, economic conditions, technology, airline demand for a particular aircraft type and many of the risk factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our lessees may face financial difficulties and return aircraft to us prior to the contractual lease expiry dates which may change our cash flow assumptions and require future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in the recoverability assessment are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the 2014 assessment, we reduced our forecast of future cash flows for certain freighter aircraft to reflect the cumulative effect of increasing supply over the past three years, notwithstanding the modest increase in demand so far in 2014. More specifically, higher production levels for new, large freighter aircraft together with increased belly freight capacity from the latest generation of wide-body passenger aircraft have resulted in a glut of large freighter aircraft. At the same time, air freight demand increased slightly due to modest economic growth rates in certain key economies and structural changes in the freight market (e.g., the evolution of smaller, smarter and lighter electronic devices and modal shifts). The combined effect of these developments has reduced lease rates and driven more freighter aircraft into storage, particularly over the past few years.
More specifically, we determined the cash flows expected to be generated by two of our McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter aircraft did not support their carrying values. As a result, we impaired these two aircraft, which had an aggregate net book value as of June 30, 2014 of $53.8 million, writing down their book values by a total of $19.5 million. We also shortened their expected lives and reduced their residual values.
In addition, for our five Boeing 747-400 production freighters, all of which passed the recoverability assessment, we shortened the expected lives from 35 years to 30 years from the date of manufacture.
For changes we made to our aircraft mentioned above and other adjustments to lives and/or residual values, our total depreciation expense will increase by approximately $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. We estimate an increase in depreciation expense for changes we made to our aircraft for the year ended December 31, 2015 of approximately $7.8 million.
During the second quarter of 2014, we impaired two Boeing 747-400 converted freighters, one of which is off-lease and the other of which has a scheduled lease expiry in December 2014. We intend to sell both aircraft rather than reinvest in further maintenance necessary for releasing. We classified one of these aircraft, which is being sold on a part out basis, as Flight Equipment Held for Sale in Other Assets on our consolidated Balance Sheet. For the off-lease aircraft, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $17.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2014. We previously recorded maintenance revenue of $3.9 million and reversed lease incentives of $0.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 when this aircraft was returned to us. For the aircraft with a scheduled lease expiry in December 2014, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $10.7 million and recorded maintenance revenue of $6.0 million and reversed lease incentives of $3.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2014.
During the first quarter of 2014, we impaired two aircraft, one Boeing 737-400, which was returned to us as scheduled by the lessee and one Boeing 747-400 converted freighter, for which we agreed to an early lease termination with our customer. For these two aircraft, we recorded impairment charges totaling $18.3 million and recorded maintenance revenue of $17.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Following our recoverability assessment during the third quarter of 2013, we impaired six Boeing 747-400 converted freighter aircraft and one Boeing 737-700 aircraft and recorded impairment charges of $88.6 million and $8.9 million, respectively.
During the third quarter of 2013, one Boeing 767-300ER aircraft was returned to us early by its lessee. We recorded an impairment charge of $8.5 million, maintenance revenue of $12.1 million and other revenue of $0.9 million for this aircraft. During the first quarter of 2013, one Airbus A319-100 aircraft and one Boeing 767-300ER aircraft were returned to us early by their respective lessees. We recorded impairment charges totaling $6.2 million, maintenance revenue of $9.0 million and other revenue of $0.9 million for these two aircraft.


42


Aircraft Monitoring List
At September 30, 2014, we considered six aircraft with a total net book value of $146.2 million including four freighter aircraft with a total net book value of $121.5 million to be more susceptible to failing future recoverability assessments due to their sensitivity to changes in contractual cash flows, future cash flow estimates and aircraft residual or scrap values.


RECENT UNADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1. - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Proposed Accounting Pronouncements.

PROPOSED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1. - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Proposed Accounting Pronouncements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of liquidity currently are cash on hand, cash generated by our aircraft leasing operations, proceeds from aircraft sales, loans secured by additional aircraft we acquire and unsecured borrowings. Our business is very capital intensive, requiring significant investments in order to expand our fleet during periods of growth and investments in maintenance and improvements on our existing portfolio. Our business also generates a significant amount of cash from operations, primarily from lease rentals and maintenance collections. These sources have historically provided liquidity for these investments and for other uses, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders. In the past, we have also met our liquidity and capital resource needs by utilizing several sources, including:
lines of credit, our securitizations, term financings, secured borrowings supported by export credit agencies for new aircraft acquisitions and bank financings secured by aircraft purchases;
unsecured indebtedness, including an unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured senior notes;
sales of common shares; and
asset sales.
Going forward, we expect to continue to seek liquidity from these sources subject to pricing and conditions that we consider satisfactory.
During the first nine months of 2014, we met our liquidity and capital resource needs with $366.0 million of cash from operations, $803.2 million of cash from debt financings, $563.9 million of cash from aircraft sales including:
Closing $500.0 million of Senior Notes due 2021; and
Closing new secured borrowings in the amount of $303.2 million.
Proceeds from the issuance of our Senior Notes due 2021 were used to pay-off the balance of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 plus accrued interest of $10.2 million and the call premium of $32.8 million on April 25, 2014. We also wrote off $3.7 million of debt issuance costs associated with the pay-off of the Senior Notes due 2018.
In addition, we increased our revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at September 30, 2014, to $450.0 million.
These increases in capital resources were partially offset by the February 2014 repayment of the outstanding principal plus accrued interest and fees due under Securitization No.1 and the termination of the related interest rate derivative, for a total cash payment of $255.2 million, with proceeds from our December 2013 Notes issuance. The aircraft that became unencumbered with the repayment of Securitization No. 1 had a net book value of $410.5 million at December 31, 2013.
As of September 30, 2014, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in our financings.
We believe that cash on hand, payments received from lessees and other funds generated from operations, secured borrowings for aircraft, borrowings under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility and other borrowings and proceeds from future aircraft sales will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource needs over the next twelve months. Our liquidity and capital resource needs include payments due under our aircraft purchase obligations, required principal and interest payments under our long-term debt facilities, expected capital expenditures, lessee maintenance payment reimbursements and lease incentive payments over the next twelve months.




43


Cash Flows
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
$
319,313

 
$
365,975

Net cash flow provided by (used in) investing activities
(523,627
)
 
(413,283
)
Net cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities
(175,753
)
 
(132,967
)

Operating Activities:
Cash flow from operations was $319.3 million and $366.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The increase in cash flow from operations of approximately $46.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the same period in 2013 was primarily a result of:
a $69.5 million increase in cash from lease rentals; and
a $3.1 million decrease in cash from working capital.
These inflows were offset partially by:
a $18.6 million decrease in cash for maintenance revenue primarily due to contra maintenance revenue;
a $3.7 million increase in cash paid for taxes; and
a $2.8 million decrease in cash interest from finance leases.

Investing Activities:
Cash used in investing activities was $523.6 million and $413.3 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The decrease in cash flow used in investing activities of $110.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the same period in 2013, was primarily a result of:
a $278.7 million increase in proceeds from the sale of flight equipment; and
$7.0 million of lower aircraft purchase deposits.
These inflows were offset by:
a $102.5 million increase in the acquisition and improvement of flight equipment;
a $42.0 million decrease in principal repayments on debt investments;
a $22.4 million increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents related to the sale of flight equipment; and
an $8.6 million increase in unconsolidated equity method investment.

Financing Activities:
Cash used in financing activities was $175.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $133.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The net decrease in cash flow used in financing activities of $42.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the same period in 2013 was a result of:
a $465.0 million increase in securitization and term debt repayments primarily due to the repayment of $219.9 million for Securitization No. 1 in February 2014 and of $450.0 million for our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 in April 2014;
a $199.6 million decrease in issuance of common shares net of repurchases;
a $33.4 million increase in payments for terminated cash flow hedges related to the pay-off of Securitization No. 1;

44


a $32.8 million increase in debt extinguishment costs related to the call premium on our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 repaid in April 2014;
a $12.9 million increase in deferred financing costs related to the issuance of our Senior Notes due 2021 and bank financings on five acquired aircraft in the first quarter of 2014;
a $25.5 million decrease in security deposits received net of security deposits returned;
a $12.7 million increase in dividends paid; and
a $11.0 million decrease in maintenance deposits received net of maintenance deposits returned.
These increases were offset partially by:
a $725.0 million increase in proceeds from our Senior Notes due 2021 and bank debt financings on aircraft purchases; and
a $110.7 million decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents related to security deposits and maintenance payments.

Debt Obligations
The following table provides a summary of our secured and unsecured debt financings at September 30, 2014:
Debt Obligation
Collateral
 
Outstanding Borrowing
 
Number of Aircraft
 
Interest Rate(1)
 
Final Stated Maturity(2)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Secured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 2
Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests
 
451,544

 
34
 
0.47%
 
06/14/37
ECA Term Financings
Interests in aircraft, aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests
 
460,983

 
8
 
3.02% to 3.96%
 
12/3/21 to 11/30/24
Bank Financings
Interests in aircraft, aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests
 
572,506

 
13
 
1.15% to 5.09%
 
09/15/15 to 04/19/25
Total secured debt financings
 
 
1,485,033

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes due 2017
None
 
500,000

 
 
6.75%
 
04/15/17
Senior Notes due 2018
None
 
400,000

 
 
4.625%
 
12/05/18
Senior Notes due 2019
None
 
500,000

 
 
6.25%
 
12/01/19
Senior Notes due 2020
None
 
300,000

 
 
7.625%
 
04/15/20
Senior Notes due 2021
None
 
500,000

 
 
5.125%
 
03/15/21
2014 Revolving Credit Facility(3)
None
 

 
 
N/A
 
03/31/18
Total unsecured debt financings
 
 
2,200,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total secured and unsecured debt financings
 
 
$
3,685,033

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
(1)
Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 2 and four of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.
(2)
For Securitization No. 2, all cash flows available after expenses and interest are applied to debt amortization.
(3)
On March 31, 2014, we amended and restructured our existing $335.0 million 2013 Revolving Credit Facility with a new unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2014 Revolving Credit Facility”).  The 2014 Revolving Credit Facility was increased to $450.0 million, has a term of four years, is scheduled to expire in March 2018 and was undrawn at September 30, 2014.



45


The following Securitization includes a liquidity facility commitment described in the table below:
 
 
 
Available Liquidity
 
 
 
 
Facility
Liquidity Facility Provider
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
Unused
Fee
 
Interest Rate
on any Advances
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 2
HSH Nordbank AG
 
$
65,000

 
$
65,000

 
0.50%
 
1M Libor + 0.75
 
Secured Debt Financings:

Securitizations

In February 2014, we repaid the outstanding amount plus accrued interest and fees due under Securitization No.1 and terminated the related interest rate derivative, for a total cash payment of $255.2 million, with proceeds from our December 2013 issuance of our Senior Notes due 2018.

Bank Financings

In February 2014, we entered into two floating rate loans and one fixed rate loan totaling $303.2 million secured by two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and one Airbus A330-200 aircraft we acquired in 2013. In March 2014, we assumed two floating rate loans totaling $40.8 million in connection with the acquisition of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. During the third quarter of 2014, we converted both of the floating rate loans related to the Boeing 737-800 aircraft to fixed rate loans.
We include these loan facilities in “Bank Financings”. Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of these Bank Financings.

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Senior Notes due 2021

On March 26, 2014, Aircastle Limited issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Notes”). The 2021 Senior Notes will mature on March 15, 2021 and bear interest at the rate of 5.125% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2014. Interest will accrue on the 2021 Senior Notes from March 26, 2014. Proceeds from the issuance were used to pay-off the outstanding amount of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 plus accrued interest of $10.2 million and the call premium of $32.8 million on April 25, 2014. We also wrote off $3.7 million of debt issuance costs associated with the pay-off of the Senior Notes due 2018. Both the call premium and the write-off of debt issuance costs are included in Other income (expense) - Loss on Extinguishment of Debt on our consolidated statement of income.

2014 Revolving Credit Facility

On March 31, 2014, we amended and restructured our existing $335.0 million 2013 Revolving Credit Facility with the 2014 Revolving Credit Facility.  The 2014 Revolving Credit Facility was increased to $450.0 million, has a term of four years and is scheduled to expire in March 2018.
As of September 30, 2014, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in all of our financings.

Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on variable and fixed rate liabilities, interest payments on interest rate derivatives, other aircraft acquisition and conversion agreements and rent payments pursuant to our office leases. Total contractual obligations increased from $5.28 billion at December 31, 2013 to approximately $5.37 billion at September 30, 2014 due primarily to:
an increase in borrowings and interest payments as a result of the closing of our Senior Notes due 2021 in March 2014;

46


additional bank financings on five aircraft; and
an increase in aircraft purchase obligations.
These increases were offset by:
the repayments of Securitization No. 1 in February 2014 and our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 in April 2014, respectively.

The following table presents our actual contractual obligations and their payment due dates as of September 30, 2014.  
 
Payments Due By Period as of September 30, 2014
Contractual Obligations
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
5 years
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Principal payments:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes due 2017 - 2021
$
2,200,000

 
$

 
$
500,000

 
$
400,000

 
$
1,300,000

Securitization No. 2(1)
451,544

 
147,375

 
214,009

 
90,160

 

ECA Term Financings(2)
460,984

 
44,996

 
94,886

 
101,838

 
219,264

Bank Financings(3)
578,921

 
62,097

 
104,571

 
160,180

 
252,073

Total principal payments
3,691,449

 
254,468

 
913,466

 
752,178

 
1,771,337

Interest payments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest payments on debt obligations(4)
854,688

 
170,709

 
329,018

 
230,097

 
124,864

Interest payments on interest rate derivatives(5)
7,625

 
3,870

 
3,755

 

 

Total interest payments
862,313

 
174,579

 
332,773

 
230,097

 
124,864

Office leases(6)
6,977

 
1,122

 
1,774

 
1,508

 
2,573

Purchase obligations(7)
805,740

 
805,740

 

 

 

Total
$
5,366,479

 
$
1,235,909

 
$
1,248,013

 
$
983,783

 
$
1,898,774

 

        

(1)
Estimated principal payments for these non-recourse financings are based on excess cash flows available from forecasted lease rentals, net maintenance funding and proceeds from asset dispositions after the payment of forecasted operating expenses and interest payments, including interest payments on existing interest rate derivative agreements and policy provider fees.
(2)
Includes scheduled principal payments based upon eight fixed rate, 12-year, fully amortizing loans.
(3)
Includes principal payments based upon individual loan amortization schedules.
(4)
Future interest payments on variable rate, LIBOR-based debt obligations are estimated using the interest rate in effect at September 30, 2014.
(5)
Future interest payments on derivative financial instruments are estimated using the spread between the floating interest rates and the fixed interest rates in effect at September 30, 2014.
(6)
Represents contractual payment obligations for our office leases in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
(7)
At September 30, 2014, we had commitments to acquire 16 aircraft. Of those, three acquisitions have closed, and we expect that an additional five will close during the fourth quarter of 2014 and two will close in the first quarter of 2015. The other four aircraft are Boeing 777-300ERs that may be purchased from and leased back to LATAM once the existing financings are repaid. We do not expect this transaction to be completed before the first half of 2015.


Capital Expenditures
We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with improvements made to our aircraft. These expenditures include the cost of major overhauls necessary to place an aircraft in service and modifications made at the request of lessees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we incurred a total of $22.3 million and $15.5 million, respectively, of capital expenditures (including lease incentives) related to the acquisition and improvement of aircraft.
As of September 30, 2014, the weighted average age (by net book value) of our aircraft was approximately 8.6 years. In general, the costs of operating an aircraft, including maintenance expenditures, increase with the age of the aircraft. Under our leases, the lessee is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft. We may incur additional maintenance and modification costs in the future in the event we are required to remarket an aircraft or a lessee fails to meet its maintenance obligations under the lease agreement. At September 30, 2014, we had a $422.2 million maintenance payment liability on

47


our balance sheet, which is a $20.3 million decrease from December 31, 2013. The decrease consisted of net maintenance cash outflows of $14.7 million and a decrease in lease incentive liabilities of $5.6 million. These maintenance reserves are paid by the lessee to provide for future maintenance events. Provided a lessee performs scheduled maintenance of the aircraft, we are required to reimburse the lessee for scheduled maintenance payments. In certain cases, we are also required to make lessor contributions, in excess of amounts a lessee may have paid, towards the costs of maintenance events performed by or on behalf of the lessee.
Actual maintenance payments to us by lessees in the future may be less than projected as a result of a number of factors, including defaults by the lessees. Maintenance reserves may not cover the entire amount of actual maintenance expenses incurred and, where these expenses are not otherwise covered by the lessees, there can be no assurance that our operational cash flow and maintenance reserves will be sufficient to fund maintenance requirements, particularly as our aircraft age.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have entered into a joint venture with an affiliate of Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, in which we have a 30% equity interest, which does not qualify for consolidated accounting treatment. The assets and liabilities of this joint venture are off our balance sheet and we only record our net investment under the equity method of accounting. See Note 5. - Unconsolidated Equity Method Investment.

Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
At September 30, 2014, all of our leases are payable to us in U.S. dollars. However, we incur Euro- and Singapore dollar-denominated expenses in connection with our subsidiaries in Ireland and Singapore. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, expenses, such as payroll and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar aggregated approximately $10.9 million in U.S. dollar equivalents and represented approximately 26% of total selling, general and administrative expenses. Our international operations are a significant component of our business strategy and permit us to more effectively source new aircraft, service the aircraft we own and maintain contact with our lessees. Therefore, it is likely that our international operations and our exposure to foreign currency risk will increase over time. Although we have not yet entered into foreign currency hedges because our exposure to date has not been significant, if our foreign currency exposure increases we may enter into hedging transactions in the future to mitigate this risk. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we incurred insignificant net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.

Hedging
The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.
We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2014
 
Derivative Liabilities
Hedged Item
Current
Notional
Amount
 
Effective
Date
 
Maturity
Date
 
Future
Maximum
Notional
Amount
 
Floating
Rate
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 2
$
389,484

 
Jun-12
 
Jun-17
 
$
389,484

 
1M LIBOR
 
1.26%
to
1.28%
 
Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
 
$
3,090

 

48



In connection with the repayment of Securitization No. 1, two interest rate derivatives hedging the facility were terminated on February 18, 2014, resulting in a net deferred loss of $26.9 million which is being amortized into interest expense using the interest method over the original hedge term.
The weighted average interest pay rates of these derivatives at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 were 3.03%, and 1.27%, respectively.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives was $5.2 million. The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives is $3.6 million.
Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2014, our interest rate derivatives are held with JP Morgan Chase Bank NA and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Both of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of Aa3 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. Both are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of AA- or above) by Standard and Poor’s. We do not anticipate that either of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2014, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $0.3 million related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
On an ongoing basis, terminated interest rate derivative notionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest payments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable.
The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) and losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014
Hedged Item
Original
Maximum
Notional
Amount
 
Effective
Date
 
Maturity
Date
 
Fixed
Rate
%
 
Termination
Date
 
Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss Upon
Termination
 
Unamortized
Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss at
September 30,
2014
 
 
 
Next Twelve Months(2)
2013(1)
 
2014(1)
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Securitization No. 2
410,000

 
Feb-07
 
Apr-17
 
5.14

 
Jun-07
 
(3,119
)
 
(456
)
 
(230
)
 
(210
)
 
(227
)
Senior Notes due 2017 and 2020
150,000

 
Jul-07
 
Dec-17
 
5.14

 
Mar-08
 
15,281

 
3,536

 
1,093

 
984

 
1,191

Term Financing No. 1
440,000

 
Jun-07
 
Feb-13
 
4.88

 
Partial – Mar-08
Full – Jun-08
 
26,281

 

 
384

 

 

Term Financing No. 1
248,000

 
Aug-07
 
May-13
 
5.33

 
Jun-08
 
9,888

 

 
721

 

 

Term Financing No. 1
710,068

 
Jun-08
 
May-13
 
4.04

 
De-designated –
Mar-12
Terminated –
April-12
 
19,026

 

 
5,695

 

 

Senior Notes due 2019
491,718

 
May-13
 
May-15
 
5.31

 
De-designated –
Mar-12
Terminated –
April-12
 
31,403

 
7,712

 
7,783

 
11,544

 
7,712

Senior Notes due 2018
360,000

 
Jan-08
 
Feb-19
 
5.16

 
Partial – Jun-08
Full – Oct-08
 
23,077

 
5,837

 
765

 
1,187

 
1,494

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
231,000

 
Apr-10
 
Oct-15
 
5.17

 
Partial – Jun-08
Full – Dec-08
 
15,310

 
1,208

 
3,631

 
520

 
1,208

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
238,000

 
Jan-11
 
Apr-16
 
5.23

 
Dec-08
 
19,430

 
4,295

 
2,629

 
2,407

 
2,942

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
238,000

 
Jul-11
 
Sep-16
 
5.27

 
Dec-08
 
17,254

 
3,351

 
1,645

 
1,506

 
1,840

Senior Notes due 2018
451,911

 
Jun-06
 
Jun-16
 
5.78

 
Feb-14
 
20,762

 
14,391

 

 
6,371

 
8,557

Senior Notes due 2018
108,089

 
Jun-06
 
Jun-16
 
5.78

 
Feb-14
 
6,101

 
4,228

 

 
1,872

 
2,515

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
200,694

 
$
44,102

 
$
24,116

 
$
26,181

 
$
27,232

        

49


(1)
Amount of deferred (gain) or loss amortized (including accelerated amortization) into interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.
(2)
Amount of Deferred (Gain) or Loss Expected to be Amortized over the Next Twelve Months.

On an ongoing basis, terminated interest rate derivative notionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest payments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of deferred net loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $26.2 million. The amount of deferred net loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our terminated interest rate derivatives is $27.2 million, of which $7.7 million relates to Term Financing No. 1 interest rate derivatives terminated in 2012, $11.1 million relates to Securitization No. l interest rate derivatives terminated in 2014, $6.0 million relates to ECA Term Financings for New A330 Aircraft, $1.3 million relates to other financings and $1.2 million relates to Term Financing No. 1 derivatives terminated in 2008.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the amount of effective deferred loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our designated active interest rate derivative was $0.5 million.
The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedge ineffectiveness losses
$
93

 
$
(4
)
 
$
197

 
$
55

Amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Accelerated amortization of deferred losses (1)
(2
)
 
(17
)
 
2,025

 
(14
)
Amortization of loss on designated interest rate derivative
423

 

 
1,168

 
548

Amortization of deferred losses
6,879

 
8,566

 
22,092

 
26,196

Total Amortization
7,300

 
8,549

 
25,285

 
26,730

Total charged to interest expense
$
7,393

 
$
8,545

 
$
25,482

 
$
26,785

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark to market gains on undesignated interest rate derivatives
$
855

 
$

 
$
3,727

 
$
681

Total charged to other income
$
855

 
$

 
$
3,727

 
$
681

        
(1) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, represents accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses related to two aircraft sold in June 2013.

Management’s Use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-US GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance.
This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieving optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed.
EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results. Accordingly, this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term,

50


namely the cost structure, or expenses, of the organization. EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the board of directors to review the consolidated financial performance of our business.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (as defined above) further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.
The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Depreciation
70,469

 
75,519

 
212,448

 
225,230

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
9,737

 
1,075

 
25,527

 
7,252

Interest, net
57,843

 
56,794

 
183,651

 
181,551

Income tax provision
(597
)
 
3,484

 
6,719

 
10,925

     EBITDA
$
62,894

 
$
156,023

 
$
409,705

 
$
453,022

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Impairment of aircraft
106,136

 
20,436

 
112,335

 
67,005

  Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 
36,570

  Non-cash share based payment expense
1,067

 
949

 
2,931

 
3,167

  Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts
(855
)
 

 
(3,727
)
 
(681
)
     Adjusted EBITDA
$
169,242

 
$
177,408

 
$
521,244

 
$
559,083


Management’s Use of Adjusted Net Income (“ANI”)

Management believes that ANI, when viewed in conjunction with the Company’s results under US GAAP and the below reconciliation, provides useful information about operating and period-over-period performance, and provides additional information that is useful for evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business without regard to periodic reporting elements related to interest rate derivative accounting, changes related to refinancing activity and non-cash share based payment expense.
Under the two-class method, earnings per common share is computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Because the holders of the participating restricted common shares were not contractually required to share in the Company’s losses, in applying the two-class method to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share, no allocation to restricted common shares was made for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to ANI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

51


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(74,558
)
 
$
19,151

 
$
(18,640
)
 
$
28,064

Loss on extinguishment of debt(2)

 

 

 
36,570

Loan termination fee(1)

 

 
2,954

 

Ineffective portion and termination of hedges(1)
91

 
(21
)
 
2,222

 
41

Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)
(855
)
 

 
(3,727
)
 
(681
)
Write-off of deferred financing fees(1)
150

 

 
3,975

 

         Non-cash share based payment expense(3)
1,067

 
949

 
2,931

 
3,167

         Term Financing No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges(1)
4,591

 
3,601

 
13,478

 
11,544

         Securitization No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges (1)
423

 
2,865

 
1,168

 
8,792

Adjusted net income (loss)
$
(69,091
)
 
$
26,545

 
$
4,361

 
$
87,497

 
        

(1)
Included in Interest, net.
(2)
Included in Other income (expense).
(3)
Included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Weighted-average shares:
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Common shares outstanding
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

 
80,389,131

Restricted common shares
669,489

 
600,581

 
562,612

 
581,932

Total weighted-average shares
79,213,869

 
80,990,577

 
72,024,876

 
80,971,063


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Common shares outstanding
99.15
%
 
99.26
%
 
99.22
%
 
99.28
%
Restricted common shares
0.85
%
 
0.74
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.72
%
Total
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

 
80,389,131

Effect of dilutive shares

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted (b)
78,544,380

 
80,389,996

 
71,462,264

 
80,389,131



52


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Adjusted net income allocation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (loss)
$
(69,091
)
 
$
26,545

 
$
4,361

 
$
87,497

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)

 
(197
)
 
(34
)
 
(629
)
Adjusted net income (loss) allocable to common shares – Basic and Diluted
$
(69,091
)
 
$
26,348

 
$
4,327

 
$
86,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (loss) per common share – Basic and Diluted
$
(0.88
)
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.06

 
$
1.08

        
(a)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.85% and 0.74% of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.78% and 0.72% of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
(b)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we had no dilutive shares.



Limitations of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI
An investor or potential investor may find EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI important measures in evaluating our performance, results of operations and financial position. We use these non-US GAAP measures to supplement our US GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI have limitations as analytical tools and should not be viewed in isolation or as substitutes for US GAAP measures of earnings. Material limitations in making the adjustments to our earnings to calculate EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI, and using these non-US GAAP measures as compared to US GAAP net income, income from continuing operations and cash flows provided by or used in operations, include:
depreciation and amortization, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of our aircraft, which affects the aircraft’s availability for use and may be indicative of future needs for capital expenditures;
the cash portion of income tax (benefit) provision generally represents charges (gains), which may significantly affect our financial results;
elements of our interest rate derivative accounting may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our hedging policy;
loss on the extinguishment of debt related to our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018;
hedge loss amortization charges related to Term Financing No. 1 and Securitization No. 1; and
adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI are not alternatives to net income, income from operations or cash flows provided by or used in operations as calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. You should not rely on these non-US GAAP measures as a substitute for any such US GAAP financial measure. We strongly urge you to review the reconciliations to US GAAP net income, along with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We also strongly urge you to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. In addition, because EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI are not measures of financial performance under US GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and ANI as presented in this report, may differ from and may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

53



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest rate risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in the level of interest rates and the spread between different interest rates. These risks are highly sensitive to many factors, including U.S. monetary and tax policies, U.S. and international economic factors and other factors beyond our control. We are exposed to changes in the level of interest rates and to changes in the relationship or spread between interest rates. Our primary interest rate exposures relate to our lease agreements, floating rate debt obligations and interest rate derivatives. Rent payments under our aircraft lease agreements typically do not vary during the term of the lease according to changes in interest rates. However, our borrowing agreements generally require payments based on a variable interest rate index, such as LIBOR. Therefore, to the extent our borrowing costs are not fixed, increases in interest rates may reduce our net income by increasing the cost of our debt without any corresponding increase in rents or cash flow from our securities.
Changes in interest rates may also impact our net book value as our interest rate derivatives are periodically marked-to-market through shareholders’ equity. Generally, we are exposed to loss on our fixed pay interest rate derivatives to the extent interest rates decrease below their contractual fixed rate.
The relationship between spreads on derivative instruments may vary from time to time, resulting in a net aggregate book value increase or decrease. Changes in the general level of interest rates can also affect our ability to acquire new investments and our ability to realize gains from the settlement of such assets.


Sensitivity Analysis
The following discussion about the potential effects of changes in interest rates is based on a sensitivity analysis, which models the effects of hypothetical interest rate shifts on our financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe a sensitivity analysis provides the most meaningful analysis permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, it is constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and by the inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. Although the following results of a sensitivity analysis for changes in interest rates may have some limited use as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast. This forward-looking disclosure also is selective in nature and addresses only the potential interest expense impacts on our financial instruments and, in particular, does not address the mark-to-market impact on our interest rate derivatives. It also does not include a variety of other potential factors that could affect our business as a result of changes in interest rates.
A hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rates would increase/decrease the minimum contracted rentals on our portfolio as of September 30, 2014 by $5.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, over the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2014, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $2.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively, net of amounts received from our interest rate derivatives, over the next twelve months.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2014. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2014.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

54


PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
The Company is not a party to any material legal or adverse regulatory proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the disclosure related to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the third quarter of 2014, we purchased our common shares as follows: 
Period
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price
Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (a)
 
Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (a)
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
July

 
$

 

 
$

August

 

 

 

September
58,169

(b) 
0.01

 

 

Total
58,169

 
$
0.01

 

 
$

 
        
(a)
The remaining dollar value of common shares that may be purchased under the repurchase program approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on November 5, 2012 was $30,000. This authorization expired on July 28, 2014.
(b)
Reflects the repurchase of unvested common shares from a former officer of the Company.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5.    Other Information
None.

55


 Item 6.    Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
 
Description of Exhibit
3.1
 
Memorandum of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
3.2
 
Bye-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
4.1
 
Specimen Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
4.2
 
Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 4, 2010).
4.3
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2011, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2011).
4.4
 
Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2012).
4.5
 
Indenture, dated as of November 30, 2012, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 30, 2012).
4.6

 
Shareholder Agreement dated as of June 6, 2013, by and between Aircastle Limited and Marubeni Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 6, 2013).
4.7

 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2014 by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2014.
10.1
 
Form of Restricted Share Agreement for Certain Executive Officers Under the Aircastle Limited 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. *
10.2
 
Form of Non-Officer Director Restricted Share Agreement Under the Aircastle Limited 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. *
10.3
 
Separation Agreement, dated September 5, 2014, among Aircastle Advisor LLC and David Walton. *
31.1
 
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. *
31.2
 
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. *
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
99.1
 
Owned Aircraft Portfolio at September 30, 2014. *
101
 
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. *

*     Filed herewith.



56


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 4, 2014

 
AIRCASTLE LIMITED
 
(Registrant)
 
By:
/s/ Aaron Dahlke
 
 
Aaron Dahlke
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer

57