AYR Q2 2015 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 June 30, 2015

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 July 31, 2015, there were 81,181,495 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 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)
 
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
242,941

 
$
169,656

Accounts receivable
4,996

 
3,334

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
161,854

 
98,884

Restricted liquidity facility collateral
65,000

 
65,000

Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,361,420 and $1,294,063
5,953,555

 
5,579,718

Net investment in finance leases
122,855

 
106,651

Unconsolidated equity method investment
48,712

 
46,453

Other assets
203,762

 
157,317

Total assets
$
6,803,675

 
$
6,227,013

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Borrowings from secured financings
$
1,427,374

 
$
1,396,454

Borrowings from unsecured financings
2,850,000

 
2,400,000

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
156,045

 
140,863

Lease rentals received in advance
56,785

 
53,216

Liquidity facility
65,000

 
65,000

Security deposits
111,765

 
117,689

Maintenance payments
351,148

 
333,456

Total liabilities
5,018,117

 
4,506,678

 
 
 
 
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, 81,181,495 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015; and 80,983,249 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014
812

 
810

Additional paid-in capital
1,566,268

 
1,565,180

Retained earnings
242,159

 
192,805

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(23,681
)
 
(38,460
)
Total shareholders’ equity
1,785,558

 
1,720,335

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
6,803,675

 
$
6,227,013


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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
184,839

 
$
183,231

 
$
361,985

 
$
357,566

Finance lease revenue
1,877

 
3,897

 
3,484

 
7,884

Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(4,351
)
 
414

 
(8,175
)
 
(6,177
)
Maintenance revenue
21,349

 
36,182

 
39,422

 
39,224

Total lease revenue
203,714

 
223,724

 
396,716

 
398,497

Other revenue
851

 
2,422

 
2,145

 
4,252

Total revenues
204,565

 
226,146

 
398,861

 
402,749

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
77,368

 
75,784

 
152,214

 
149,711

Interest, net
61,551

 
60,494

 
123,682

 
124,757

Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,387 and $1,228 for the three months ended and $2,557 and $2,218 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
14,699

 
14,057

 
28,631

 
28,001

Impairment of Aircraft
23,955

 
28,306

 
23,955

 
46,569

Maintenance and other costs
3,663

 
2,646

 
6,606

 
4,509

Total expenses
181,236

 
181,287

 
335,088

 
353,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
21,102

 
884

 
27,355

 
1,994

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(36,570
)
 

 
(36,570
)
Other
277

 

 
271

 
757

Total other income (expense)
21,379

 
(35,686
)
 
27,626

 
(33,819
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
44,708

 
9,173

 
91,399

 
15,383

Income tax provision
4,465

 
6,558

 
9,328

 
7,441

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax
1,565

 
521

 
3,006

 
971

Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share — Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
$
0.51

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share — Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
$
0.51

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
0.22

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.40


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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $26 and $0 for the three months ended and tax expense of $23 and $804 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively
564

 
12

 
436

 
382

Net derivative loss reclassified into earnings
6,110

 
8,854

 
14,343

 
18,181

Other comprehensive income
6,674

 
8,866

 
14,779

 
18,563

Total comprehensive income
$
48,482

 
$
12,002

 
$
99,856

 
$
27,476



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)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
152,214

 
149,711

Amortization of deferred financing costs
7,465

 
6,987

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
8,175

 
6,177

Deferred income taxes
(1,363
)
 
3,999

Non-cash share based payment expense
2,557

 
2,218

Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings
14,343

 
18,181

Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings
(22,382
)
 
(40,006
)
Gain on sale of flight equipment
(27,355
)
 
(1,994
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
36,570

Impairment of aircraft
23,955

 
46,569

Other
108

 
(91
)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(1,697
)
 
(3,619
)
Other assets
(2,155
)
 
(1,914
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
7,018

 
(20,438
)
Lease rentals received in advance
3,646

 
2,742

Net cash provided by operating activities
249,606

 
214,005

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives
(797,136
)
 
(834,467
)
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment
231,842

 
246,037

Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to sale of flight equipment
(76,433
)
 
(7,600
)
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments
(3,461
)
 
(3,785
)
Net investment in finance leases
(24,000
)
 
(14,258
)
Collections on finance leases
4,795

 
6,219

Other
(256
)
 
87

Net cash used in investing activities
(664,649
)
 
(607,767
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Issuance of shares net of repurchases
(1,960
)
 
(2,091
)
Proceeds from notes and term debt financings
800,000

 
803,200

Securitization and term debt financing repayments
(319,994
)
 
(827,512
)
Debt extinguishment costs

 
(32,835
)
Deferred financing costs
(11,658
)
 
(15,834
)
Restricted liquidity facility collateral

 
42,000

Liquidity facility

 
(42,000
)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to financing activities
13,463

 
29,015

Security deposits and maintenance payments received
71,536

 
83,144

Security deposits and maintenance payments returned
(27,336
)
 
(44,577
)
Payments for terminated cash flow hedges

 
(33,427
)
Dividends paid
(35,723
)
 
(32,402
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
488,328

 
(73,319
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
73,285

 
(467,081
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
169,656

 
654,613

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
242,941

 
$
187,532

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
89,639

 
$
112,386

Cash paid for income taxes
$
3,918

 
$
3,630

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchase deposits, advance lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance payments assumed in asset acquisitions
$
7,841

 
$
18,522

Term debt financings assumed in asset acquisitions
$

 
$
39,061

Advance lease rentals, security deposits, and maintenance payments settled in sale of flight equipment
$
40,199

 
$
17,533


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)
June 30, 2015


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.
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, 2014.
The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of June 30, 2015 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.
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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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

7



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

from the customer’s perspective. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2018. 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, 2017. 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. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts of adoption and the implementation approach to be used.
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. We are currently evaluating the effect of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance in the new standard is limited to the presentation of debt issuance costs and does not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. The standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. 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.
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).

8



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 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 June 30, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value as of June 30, 2015
 
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
$
242,941

 
$
242,941

 
$

 
$

 
Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
161,854

 
161,854

 

 

 
Market
Total
$
404,795

 
$
404,795

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
2,548

 
$

 
$
2,548

 
$

 
Income

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value as of December 31, 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
$
169,656

 
$
169,656

 
$

 
$

 
Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
98,884

 
98,884

 

 

 
Market
Total
$
268,540

 
$
268,540

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities
$
2,879

 
$

 
$
2,879

 
$

 
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.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3.
We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, when 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

9



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

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
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we impaired two MD-11 freighter aircraft and one 737-800 aircraft and recorded impairment charges totaling $23,955 and recorded maintenance revenue of $18,234.
During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we impaired three 747-400 converted freighter aircraft one Boeing 737-400 aircraft and recorded impairment charges totaling $46,570. For these aircraft, we recorded maintenance revenue of $23,678 and other revenue of $91 and reversed lease incentives of $3,626.

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 No. 2, 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying  Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Carrying  Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 
Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)
Securitization No. 2
$
(334,073
)
 
$
(328,611
)
 
$
(391,680
)
 
$
(376,752
)
Credit Facilities
(150,000
)
 
(150,000
)
 
(200,000
)
 
(200,000
)
ECA term financings
(427,378
)
 
(447,838
)
 
(449,886
)
 
(471,918
)
Bank financings
(665,923
)
 
(684,772
)
 
(554,888
)
 
(560,285
)
Senior Notes
(2,700,000
)
 
(2,851,293
)
 
(2,200,000
)
 
(2,300,615
)
All of our financial instruments are classified as Level 2 with the exception of our Senior Notes, which are classified as Level 1.



10



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

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 June 30, 2015 were as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
Amount
Remainder of 2015
$
370,427

2016
690,925

2017
596,994

2018
513,158

2019
445,429

Thereafter
1,348,048

Total
$
3,964,981

Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Region
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Asia and Pacific
42
%
 
38
%
 
42
%
 
40
%
Europe
28
%
 
28
%
 
29
%
 
29
%
South America
15
%
 
15
%
 
14
%
 
12
%
Middle East and Africa
9
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
North America
6
%
 
10
%
 
6
%
 
10
%
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 June 30, 2015, three customers accounted for 17% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the three months ended June 30, 2014, three customers accounted for 20% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, three customers accounted for 18% of lease rental revenues. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, three customers accounted for 16% 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 based on each lessee’s principal place of business for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Country
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
 
Revenue
 
Percent of
Total
Revenue
 
Number
of
Lessees
India(1)(2)
$

 
%
 

 
$
25,707

 
11
%
 
1

United States(1)(3)

 
%
 

 
24,390

 
11
%
 
5

            

(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the three months ended June 30, 2015
(2) Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2014 includes $19,582 of maintenance revenue related to scheduled lease terminations.
(3) Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2014 includes $5,986 of maintenance revenue related to a scheduled lease termination.


11



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, no country represented at least 10% of total revenue based on each lessee’s principal place of business.
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:
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Region
Number
of
Aircraft
 
Net Book
Value %
 
Number
of
Aircraft
 
Net Book
Value %
Asia and Pacific
55

 
41
%
 
46

 
40
%
Europe
67

 
28
%
 
65

 
29
%
South America
18

 
17
%
 
13

 
14
%
Middle East and Africa
6

 
9
%
 
6

 
10
%
North America
15

 
5
%
 
17

 
7
%
Off-lease


%
 
1

(1) 
%
Total
161

 
100
%
 
148

 
100
%
 
_______________

(1)
Consisted of one Airbus A320-200 aircraft which was subject to a commitment to lease and was delivered to our customer in February 2015.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no country represented at least 10% of net book value of flight equipment based on each lessee’s principal place of business.
 At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on the consolidated balance sheets were $29,553 and $22,833, respectively.

Note 4. Net Investment in Finance Leases
At June 30, 2015, our net investment in finance leases represents six 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 Germany. The following table lists the components of our net investment in finance leases at June 30, 2015:
 
 
Amount
Total lease payments to be received
 
$
97,817

Less: Unearned income
 
(39,095
)
Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment (unguaranteed)
 
64,133

    Net investment in finance leases
 
$
122,855


At June 30, 2015, minimum future lease payments on finance leases are as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
 
Amount
Remainder of 2015
 
$
7,683

2016
 
15,365

2017
 
14,843

2018
 
9,715

2019
 
9,695

Thereafter
 
40,516

    Total
 
$
97,817






12



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

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 hold a 30% equity interest, to invest in leased aircraft. Teachers’ holds more than 9.7% of our outstanding common shares.
The Company recorded a $5,650 guarantee liability, which is reflected in Maintenance payments on the balance sheet and a $5,400 guarantee liability, which is reflected in Security deposits on the balance sheet.
Investment in joint venture at December 31, 2014
 
$
46,453

Investment in joint venture
 
2,375

Earnings from joint venture, net of tax
 
3,006

Distributions
 
(3,122
)
Investment in joint venture at June 30, 2015
 
$
48,712

 
 
 

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 12 aircraft discussed below.
Securitization
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 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 June 30, 2015, the assets of ACS Ireland 2 include four aircraft transferred into the VIE at historical cost basis in connection with Securitization No. 2.
The assets of the ACS Ireland 2 as of June 30, 2015 are $170,278. 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 June 30, 2015 are $117,264.

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 June 30, 2015 of $631,831 were included in our flight equipment held for lease. The consolidated debt outstanding of the Air Knight VIEs as of June 30, 2015 is $427,378.




13



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

Note 7. Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings
The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings are as follows:
 
At June 30, 2015
 
At December 31, 2014
Debt Obligation
Outstanding
Borrowings
 
Number of Aircraft
 
Interest Rate(1)
 
Final Stated
Maturity(2)
 
Outstanding
Borrowings
Secured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitization No. 2
$
334,073

 
30
 
0.49%
 
06/14/37
 
$
391,680

ECA Term Financings
427,378

 
8
 
3.02% to 3.96%
 
12/3/21 to 11/30/24
 
449,886

Bank Financings
665,923

 
13
 
1.19% to 5.09%
 
10/26/17 to 01/19/26
 
554,888

Total secured debt financings
1,427,374

 
51
 
 
 
 
 
1,396,454

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unsecured Debt Financings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Notes due 2017
500,000

 
 
 
6.75%
 
04/15/17
 
500,000

Senior Notes due 2018
400,000

 
 
 
4.625%
 
12/05/18
 
400,000

Senior Notes due 2019
500,000

 
 
 
6.250%
 
12/01/19
 
500,000

Senior Notes due 2020
300,000

 
 
 
7.625%
 
04/15/20
 
300,000

Senior Notes due 2021
500,000

 
 
 
5.125%
 
03/15/21
 
500,000

Senior Notes due 2022
500,000

 
 
 
5.50%
 
02/15/22
 

Revolving Credit Facility
150,000

 
 
 
2.44%
 
05/13/19
 
200,000

Total unsecured debt financings
2,850,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,400,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total secured and unsecured debt financings
$
4,277,374

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,796,454

 
        
(1)
Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 2, five of our Bank Financings, and our Revolving Credit Facility. 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.

The following Securitization includes a liquidity facility commitment described in the table below: 
 
 
 
Available Liquidity
 
 
 
 
Facility
Liquidity Facility Provider
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
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:

ECA Term Financings

As described in Note 6 - Variable Interest Entities, we refer to our COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings.” In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the ECA Term Financings. The borrowings under these financings at June 30, 2015 have a weighted average rate of interest of 3.57%.






14



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

Bank Financings

In May 2015, we entered into two floating rate loans with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and Development Bank of Japan Inc. These loans, which total $150,000, are secured by two A330-300 aircraft that we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Our Bank Financings contain, among other customary provisions, a $500,000 minimum net worth covenant and, in some cases, a cross-default to other financings with the same lender. In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the Bank Financings. The borrowings under these financings at June 30, 2015 have a weighted average fixed rate of interest of 3.12%.

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Senior Notes due 2022

On January 15, 2015, Aircastle Limited issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2022 (the "2022 Senior Notes") at par. The 2022 Senior Notes will mature on February 15, 2022 and bear interest at the rate of 5.50% per annum, payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2015. Interest accrues on the 2022 Senior Notes from January 15, 2015.

We may redeem the Senior Notes due 2022 at any time at a redemption price equal to (a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes from the redemption date through the maturity date of the notes (computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate (as defined in the indenture governing the notes) as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points). In addition, on or before February 15, 2018, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued under the indenture at a redemption price equal to 105.50% plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. If the Company undergoes a change of control, it must offer to repurchase the Senior Notes due 2022 at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes due 2022 are not guaranteed by any of the Company's subsidiaries or any third party.

Revolving Credit Facility

On January 26, 2015, we increased the size of our Revolving Credit Facility from $450,000 to $600,000. On May 13, 2015, we extended the maturity of our Revolving Credit Facility to May 13, 2019. At June 30, 2015, we had $150,000 drawn on the facility.

As of June 30, 2015, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in all of our financings.



15



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

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
May 4, 2015
$
0.220

 
$
17,863

 
May 29, 2015
 
June 15, 2015
February 17, 2015
$
0.220

 
$
17,860

 
March 6, 2015
 
March 13, 2015
October 31, 2014
$
0.220

 
$
17,817

 
November 28, 2014
 
December 15, 2014
July 28, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,201

 
August 29, 2014
 
September 12, 2014
May 5, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,202

 
May 30, 2014
 
June 13, 2014
February 21, 2014
$
0.200

 
$
16,201

 
March 7, 2014
 
March 14, 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 (“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 as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

 
80,388,691

Restricted common shares
650,206

 
643,590

 
583,213

 
572,452

Total weighted-average shares
81,216,606

 
81,033,586

 
81,148,638

 
80,961,143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding
99.20
%
 
99.21
%
 
99.28
%
 
99.29
%
Restricted common shares
0.80
%
 
0.79
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.71
%
Total
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%


16



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings per share – Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
(335
)
 
(25
)
 
(611
)
 
(63
)
Earnings available to common shareholders – Basic
$
41,473

 
$
3,111

 
$
84,466

 
$
8,850

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

 
80,388,691

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share – Basic
$
0.51

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share – Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
(335
)
 
(25
)
 
(611
)
 
(63
)
Earnings available to common shareholders – Diluted
$
41,473

 
$
3,111

 
$
84,466

 
$
8,850

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

  
80,388,691

Effect of dilutive shares(b)

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

  
80,388,691

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share – Diluted
$
0.51

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.05

  
$
0.11

 
        
(a)
For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.80% and 0.79% of net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.72% and 0.71% 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
U.S. operations
$
840

 
$
756

 
$
1,220

 
$
1,521

Non-U.S. operations
43,868

 
8,417

 
90,179

 
13,862

Total
$
44,708

 
$
9,173

 
$
91,399

 
$
15,383



17



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was determined based upon estimates of the Company’s consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was 10.0% and 10.2% respectively, compared to 71.5% and 48.4% for the three and six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2014, the interim period effective tax rate reflects the loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $36,570 related to Bermuda operations, which was treated as a discrete item with no tax benefit.
Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Notional U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate
$
15,648

 
$
3,211

 
$
31,990

 
$
5,384

U.S. state and local income tax, net
68

 
40

 
110

 
119

Non-U.S. operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bermuda
(7,368
)
 
2,811

 
(15,895
)
 
6,240

Ireland
(1,785
)
 
2,537

 
(2,907
)
 
(752
)
Singapore
(1,375
)
 
(1,282
)
 
(2,731
)
 
(2,477
)
Other
(901
)
 
(771
)
 
(1,579
)
 
(1,369
)
Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.
191

 
19

 
361

 
318

Other
(13
)
 
(7
)
 
(21
)
 
(22
)
Income tax provision
$
4,465

 
$
6,558

 
$
9,328

 
$
7,441


Note 11. Interest, Net
The following table shows the components of interest, net: 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
$
51,413

 
$
48,172

 
$
101,648

 
$
99,857

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
294

 
6

 
294

 
59

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
6,110

 
8,854

 
14,343

 
18,181

Amortization of deferred financing fees
3,766

 
3,567

 
7,465

 
6,987

Interest Expense
61,583

 
60,599

 
123,750

 
125,084

Less interest income
(32
)
 
(105
)
 
(68
)
 
(327
)
Interest, net
$
61,551

 
$
60,494

 
$
123,682

 
$
124,757


18



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015


Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
On June 12, 2015, Aircastle entered into a purchase agreement with Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) under which we agreed to acquire 25 new E-Jet E2 aircraft with purchase rights for an additional 25 E-Jet E2 aircraft. Deliveries of the 25 aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2018 for the E190-E2 aircraft and 2019 for the E195-E2 aircraft with the last delivery scheduled in March 2021. At June 30, 2015, the table below includes $142,170 of progress payments, which begin in May 2016.
At June 30, 2015, we had commitments to acquire 34 aircraft, including the 25 Embraer E-2 referenced aircraft above, for $1,266,550.
Commitments, including contractual price escalations and other adjustments, for these aircraft at June 30, 2015, net of amounts already paid, are as follows:
Year Ending December 31,
Amount
Remainder of 2015
$
197,350

2016
132,122

2017
33,002

2018
258,130

2019
293,267

Thereafter
352,679

   Total
$
1,266,550


Note 13. Other Assets
The following table describes the principal components of other assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $59,062 and $53,094, respectively
$
57,000

 
$
51,867

Deferred federal income tax asset
420

 
567

Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $28,836 and $26,477, respectively
90,074

 
75,587

Flight equipment held for sale
2,895

 
7,455

Other assets
53,373

 
21,841

Total other assets
$
203,762

 
$
157,317

 

Note 14. 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:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
49,863

 
$
40,765

Deferred federal income tax liability
35,853

 
37,340

Accrued interest payable
40,125

 
27,795

Lease discounts, net of amortization of $14.189 and $9,247, respectively
27,656

 
32,084

Fair value of derivative liabilities
2,548

 
2,879

Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
156,045

 
$
140,863


19



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015


Note 15. 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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Beginning balance
$
(30,355
)
 
$
(66,208
)
 
$
(38,460
)
 
$
(75,905
)
Amount recognized in other comprehensive loss on derivatives, net of tax expense of $14 and tax benefit of $15 for the three months and tax expense of $0 and tax expense of $721 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively
(317
)
 
(1,197
)
 
(1,395
)
 
(3,577
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, net of tax expense of $12 and $15 for the three months and tax expense of $23 and $83 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively
6,991

 
10,063

 
16,174

 
22,140

   Net current period other comprehensive income
6,674

 
8,866

 
14,779

 
18,563

Ending balance
$
(23,681
)
 
$
(57,342
)
 
$
(23,681
)
 
$
(57,342
)

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



20



Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Amount of effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses(b)
$
6,110

 
$
8,854

 
$
14,343

 
$
18,181

Effective amount of net settlements of interest rate derivatives, net of tax expense of $12 and $15 for the three months and $23 and $83 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively(b)
881

 
1,209

 
1,831

 
3,959

   Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income(c)
$
6,991

 
$
10,063

 
$
16,174

 
$
22,140


(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.

At June 30, 2015, 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 $16,895, of which $1,166 relates to Term Financing No. 1 interest rate derivatives, $10,272 relates to Securitization No. l interest rate derivatives, $4,148 relates to ECA Term Financings for New A330 Aircraft, and $1,309 relates to other financings.
At June 30, 2015, 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 $2,250.

21


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, 2014 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.
All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”), other than characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA, 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 our historical performance and that of our subsidiaries and on our current plans, estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this report. These risks or uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described from time to time in Aircastle’s filings with the SEC and previously disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Part I - Item 1 A of Aircastle’s 2014 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 revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.

WEBSITE AND ACCESS TO THE COMPANY’S REPORTS
The Company’s 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 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.


22


OVERVIEW

We acquire, lease, and sell commercial jet aircraft with large, global operator bases and long useful lives. As of June 30, 2015, our portfolio consisted of 161 aircraft leased to 52 lessees located in 32 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. As of June 30, 2015, the net book value of our flight equipment and finance lease aircraft was $6.08 billion compared to $5.69 billion at December 31, 2014. Our revenues and net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were $204.6 million and $41.8 million, and $398.9 million and $85.1 million, respectively.
Growth in commercial air traffic is broadly correlated with world economic activity and has been expanding at a rate 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 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 variability on a global basis and regional basis, as well as to changes in macroeconomic relations such as fuel price levels and foreign exchange rates. The industry is 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.
For the first six months of 2015, air traffic data showed a continued strong trend in passenger market growth, whereas air cargo traffic data showed slow improvement as world trade and economic growth increased.  According to the International Air Transport Association, global passenger traffic increased by 6.3% and air cargo traffic increased by 3.5% during the first six months of 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.  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 but continues to be hampered by overcapacity.
There are significant regional variations in demand for both passenger and air cargo. Emerging market economies 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 long-term structural changes in global traffic flows, particularly the growth in long-haul "hub and spoke" traffic flowing through the Persian Gulf. In contrast, mature markets, such as North America and Western Europe, are likely to grow more slowly in tandem with their economies. Finally, airlines operating in areas with political instability or where there are geopolitical conflicts, such as Russia, have seen more modest growth and their outlook is more uncertain. Periodic health concerns may also play a role in the near-term development of air traffic in certain regions. However, in aggregate, we believe that passenger and cargo traffic will likely increase over time, and as a result, we expect demand for modern, fuel efficient aircraft will continue to remain strong over the long-term.
Capital availability for aircraft has varied over time, and we consider this variability to be a basic characteristic of our business. However, both debt and equity markets have improved globally over the past several years with the recovery from the global financial crisis. Strong U.S. debt capital markets conditions 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 continues 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 we believe regulatory pressures have limited the extent of the bank market's recovery. 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. Over the longer term, our strategy is to achieve an investment grade credit rating, which we believe will reduce our borrowing costs and enable more reliable access to debt capital throughout the business cycle.
We believe our business approach is differentiated from those of other large leasing companies. Our investment strategy is to seek out the best risk-adjusted return opportunities across the commercial jet market, so our acquisition targets vary with market opportunities. We focus on discerning investment value in situations that are often more bespoke and generally less competitive.

23



We plan to grow our business and profits over the long-term while maintaining a countercyclical orientation, a bias towards limiting long-dated capital commitments and a conservative and flexible capital structure. Our business strategy entails the following elements:
Pursuing a disciplined and differentiated investment strategy. In our view, aircraft values change in different ways over time. As a consequence, 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. We believe the financing flexibility offered through unsecured debt and our team’s experience with a wide range of asset types enables our value oriented strategy and provides us with a competitive advantage for many investment opportunities.
Originating investments from many different sources across the globe. Our strategy is to seek out worthwhile investments broadly leveraging our team’s wide range of contacts around the world. We utilize a multi-channel approach to sourcing acquisitions and have purchased aircraft from a large number of airlines, lessors, original equipment manufacturers, lenders and other aircraft owners. Since our formation in 2004, we have acquired aircraft from more than 70 different sellers.
Leveraging our strategic relationships. We intend to capture the benefits provided through the extensive global contacts and relationships maintained by Marubeni Corporation, which is both our biggest shareholder and one of the largest Japanese trading companies. Our joint venture with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan provides us with an opportunity to pursue larger transactions and to manage portfolio concentrations.
Maintaining efficient access to capital from a wide range of sources while targeting an investment grade credit rating. We believe the aircraft investment market is subject to forces related to the business cycle and our strategy is to increase our purchase activity when prices are low and to emphasize asset sales when competition 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. Our strategy is to improve our corporate credit ratings to an investment grade level by maintaining strong portfolio and capital structure metrics while achieving a critical size through accretive growth. We believe improving our credit rating will not only reduce our borrowing costs but also facilitate more reliable access to debt capital throughout the business cycle.
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 as an exit from investments when a sale would provide the greatest expected cash flow for us.
Capturing the value of 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 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On May 4, 2015, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per common share, or an aggregate of $17.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, which was paid on June 15, 2015 to holders of record on May 29, 2015. These dividends may not be indicative of the amount of any future dividends.

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.
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 arising during the term of the lease. 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

24


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.
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. 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.

2015 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
At June 30, 2015, we had three aircraft which are scheduled to come off lease during 2015 for which we have not yet secured lease or sales commitments. These aircraft account for 0.3% of our net book value of flight equipment (including flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases). We currently expect to sell these aircraft.

2016-2019 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 2016-2019 representing the percentage of our net book value of flight equipment (including flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) at June 30, 2015 specified below:
2016: 12 aircraft, representing 5%;
2017: 19 aircraft, representing 13%;
2018: 13 aircraft, representing 10%; and
2019: 14 aircraft, representing 10%.

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

25


other costs relating to aircraft reflected in our statement of income primarily relates to expenses for unscheduled lease terminations.

Income Tax Provision
We 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 six months of 2015, we acquired 25 aircraft for $806.7 million. At June 30, 2015, we had commitments to acquire 34 additional aircraft for $1.27 billion, including the acquisition of 25 new E-Jet E-2 aircraft from Embraer. As of July 31, 2015, after taking into account three aircraft acquisitions during July 2015, we have commitments to acquire 31 aircraft for $1.18 billion.
During the first six months of 2015, we sold 12 aircraft and other flight equipment for $231.8 million which resulted in a net gain of $27.4 million.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Number
 
 
 
Gain (Loss) on
 
 
 
 
 
 
of
 
Maintenance
 
Sale of Flight
 
 
 
Pre-tax
 
 
Aircraft
 
Revenue
 
Equipment
 
Impairment
 
Impact
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Opportunistic Sales
 
10

 
$

 
$
26,250

 
$

 
$
26,250

Exit Sales
 
2

 
7,034

 
1,530

 
(5,328
)
 
3,236

   Total Sales
 
12

 
7,034

 
27,780

 
(5,328
)
 
29,486

Freighter Exits (1)
 
2

 
11,412

 
(425
)
 
(17,852
)
 
(6,865
)
    Total
 
14

 
$
18,446

 
$
27,355

 
$
(23,180
)
 
$
22,621

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________

26



(1) We intend to sell these freighter aircraft in the third quarter of 2015.


27


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the aircraft owned by us as of June 30, 2015:

AIRCASTLE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION (dollars in millions)
 
Owned
Aircraft as of
June 30, 2015
(1)
 
Owned
Aircraft as of
June 30, 2014(1)
Flight Equipment
$
6,076

 
$
5,651

Unencumbered Flight Equipment
$
3,705

 
$
3,187

Number of Aircraft
161

 
148

Number of Unencumbered Aircraft
110

 
91

Number of Lessees
52

 
63

Number of Countries
32

 
37

Weighted Average Age – Passenger (years)(2)
7.3

 
7.9

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

 
12.6

Weighted Average Age – Combined (years)(2)
8.0

 
8.6

Weighted Average Remaining Passenger Lease Term (years)(3)
6.1

 
5.1

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

 
3.7

Weighted Average Remaining Combined Lease Term (years)(3)
5.8

 
4.9

Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014(4)
99.1
%
 
100.0
%
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014(4)
98.9
%
 
99.0
%
Portfolio Yield for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014(5)
12.6
%
 
13.1
%
Portfolio Yield for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014(5)
12.6
%
 
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 June 30, 2015 is listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.



28


PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
 
 
Owned Aircraft as  of
June 30, 2015
 
Owned Aircraft as of June 30, 2014
 
Number of
Aircraft
 
% of Net
Book  Value(1)
 
Number of
Aircraft
 
% of Net
Book  Value
(1)
Aircraft Type
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Narrowbody
111

 
41
%
 
90
 
30
%
Widebody
35

 
46
%
 
42
 
54
%
Total Passenger
146

 
87
%
 
132
 
84
%
Freighter
15

 
13
%
 
16
 
16
%
Total
161

 
100
%
 
148
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Airbus
83

 
52
%
 
61
 
41
%
Boeing
73

 
46
%
 
82
 
57
%
Embraer
5

 
2
%
 
5
 
2
%
Total
161

 
100
%
 
148
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regional Diversification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asia and Pacific
55

 
41
%
 
46
 
40
%
Europe
67

 
28
%
 
62
 
27
%
South America
18

 
17
%
 
13
 
14
%
Middle East and Africa
6

 
9
%
 
6
 
10
%
North America
15

 
5
%
 
21
 
9
%
Total
161

 
100
%
 
148
 
100
%
 
        
(1)
Calculated using net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases at period end.





29


Our largest customer represents less than 7% 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 June 30, 2015. Our top 15 customers for aircraft we owned at June 30, 2015, representing 78 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
 
LATAM
 
Chile
 
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3% to 6% per customer
 
Iberia
 
Spain
 
18
 
 
South African Airways
 
South Africa
 
4
 
 
Avianca Brazil
 
Brazil
 
7
 
 
Thai Airways
 
Thailand
 
2
 
 
Singapore Airlines
 
Singapore
 
4
 
 
AirBridgeCargo
 
Russia
 
3
 
 
AirAsia X
 
Malaysia
 
3
 
 
Lion Air
 
Indonesia
 
7
 
 
Emirates
 
United Arab Emirates
 
2
 
 
Garuda
 
Indonesia
 
4
 
 
Air Berlin
 
Germany
 
9
 
 
AirAsia
 
Malaysia
 
8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than 3% per customer
 
Virgin Australia
 
Australia
 
2
 
 
Avianca
 
Colombia
 
2
 


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 “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the three months ended June 30, 2015 to the three months ended June 30, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
184,839

 
$
183,231

     Finance lease revenue
1,877

 
3,897

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(4,351
)
 
414

Maintenance revenue
21,349

 
36,182

Total lease revenue
203,714

 
223,724

Other revenue
851

 
2,422

Total revenues
204,565

 
226,146

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation
77,368

 
75,784

Interest, net
61,551

 
60,494

Selling, general and administrative
14,699

 
14,057

Impairment of aircraft
23,955

 
28,306

Maintenance and other costs
3,663

 
2,646

Total operating expenses
181,236

 
181,287

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
21,102

 
884

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(36,570
)
Other
277

 

Total other income (expense)
21,379

 
(35,686
)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
44,708

 
9,173

Income tax provision
4,465

 
6,558

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax
1,565

 
521

Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136


Revenues
Total revenues decreased by 9.5%, or $21.6 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014, primarily as a result of the following:
Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily the result of $37.7 million of revenue reflecting the impact of 24 aircraft purchased in 2015 and 25 aircraft purchased in 2014.
This increase was offset partially by a decrease in lease rental revenue of:
$26.6 million due to aircraft sales; and
$9.4 million due to lease extensions, amendments, transitions and other changes.
Finance lease revenue. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, $1.9 million of interest income from finance leases was recognized as compared to $3.9 million of interest income from finance leases recorded for the same period in 2014 due to the sale of six aircraft during the second quarter of 2014 and two aircraft during the second quarter of 2015.

30


Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of lease incentives
$
(4,066
)
 
$
(382
)
Amortization of lease premiums
(2,771
)
 
(2,183
)
Amortization of lease discounts
2,486

 
2,979

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
$
(4,351
)
 
$
414


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 increase in amortization of lease incentives of $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily attributable to the reversal of $3.6 million of lease incentive amortization in the three months ended June 30, 2014 related to a change in the forecasted maintenance events for one lease.

Maintenance revenue.
Scheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, we recorded $21.3 million of maintenance revenue from five scheduled lease terminations. For the same period in 2014, we recorded $30.2 million of maintenance revenue from eight scheduled lease terminations and $6.0 million from a change in estimate for an aircraft returned in December 2014.

Operating expenses
Total operating expenses decreased slightly for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014, primarily as a result of the following:
Depreciation expense increased by 2.1%, or $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The net increase is primarily the result of:
a $12.5 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired;
a $2.0 million increase due to changes in asset lives and residual values; and
a $1.1 million increase due to capitalized aircraft improvements being fully depreciated.
This increase was offset by a $14.0 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sales.

31


Interest, net consisted of the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
$
51,413

 
$
48,172

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
294

 
6

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
6,110

 
8,854

Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
3,766

 
3,567

Interest Expense
61,583

 
60,599

Less interest income
(32
)
 
(105
)
Interest, net
$
61,551

 
$
60,494

Interest, net increased by $1.1 million, or 1.8%, over the three months ended June 30, 2014. The net increase is primarily a result of higher interest on borrowings of $3.2 million, driven primarily by a higher weighted average debt outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to a year ago.
This increase was partially offset by a $2.7 million decrease in amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased slightly over the same period in 2014. Non-cash share based expense was $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 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 $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $1.0 million over the same period in 2014. The net increase is primarily related to higher maintenance costs of $1.3 million related to unscheduled terminations and $0.2 million related to scheduled terminations and transitions, partially offset by a decrease in other costs of $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 versus the same period in 2014. 

Other income (expense)
Total other income increased by $57.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to total other (expense) in the same period in 2014, primarily as a result of the following:

Gain on sale of flight equipment consisted of eight “opportunistic” aircraft sales and two “exit” sales in the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to eleven and six, respectively, in the same period in 2014.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Number
 
 
 
Gain on
 
 
 
 
 
 
of
 
Maintenance
 
Sale of Flight
 
 
 
Pre-tax
 
 
Aircraft
 
Revenue
 
Equipment
 
Impairment
 
Impact
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Opportunistic Sales
 
8

 
$

 
$
19,572

 
$

 
$
19,572

Exit Sales
 
2

 
7,034

 
1,530

 
(5,328
)
 
3,236

   Total Sales
 
10

 
7,034

 
21,102

 
(5,328
)
 
22,808

Freighter Exits (1)
 
2

 
11,200

 

 
(17,852
)
 
(6,652
)
    Total
 
12

 
$
18,234

 
$
21,102

 
$
(23,180
)
 
$
16,156

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________

(1) We intend to sell these freighter aircraft in the third quarter of 2015.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. We did not record any loss on extinguishment of debt in the three months ended June 30, 2015. During the second quarter of 2014, we repaid our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and recorded $36.6 million in debt extinguishment costs.

Income tax provision
Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $4.5 million and $6.6 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 decrease in our income tax provision of approximately $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily attributable to changes in operating income subject to tax in Ireland, Singapore, the United States and other jurisdictions and the treatment of the $36.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt relating to Bermuda operations as a discrete item with no tax benefit in 2014.
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
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $26 and $0, respectively
564

 
12

Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
6,110

 
8,854

Total comprehensive income
$
48,482

 
$
12,002


Other comprehensive income was $48.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $36.5 million from the $12.0 million of other comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Other comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2015 consisted primarily of:
$41.8 million of net income; and
$6.1 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Other comprehensive income for the three months ended June 30, 2014 consisted primarily of:
$3.1 million of net income; and
$8.9 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.


32


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2015 to the six months ended June 30, 2014:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Lease rental revenue
$
361,985

 
$
357,566

     Finance lease revenue
3,484

 
7,884

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
(8,175
)
 
(6,177
)
Maintenance revenue
39,422

 
39,224

Total lease revenue
396,716

 
398,497

Other revenue
2,145

 
4,252

Total revenues
398,861

 
402,749

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
Depreciation
152,214

 
149,711

Interest, net
123,682

 
124,757

Selling, general and administrative
28,631

 
28,001

Impairment of aircraft
23,955

 
46,569

Maintenance and other costs
6,606

 
4,509

Total operating expenses
335,088

 
353,547

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
Gain on sale of flight equipment
27,355

 
1,994

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(36,570
)
Other
271

 
757

Total other income (expense)
27,626

 
(33,819
)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
91,399

 
15,383

Income tax provision
9,328

 
7,441

Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax
3,006

 
971

Net income
$
85,077

 
$
8,913


Revenues
Total revenues decreased by 1.0%, or $3.9 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014, primarily as a result of the following:
Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily the result of $78.3 million of revenue reflecting the 24 aircraft purchased in 2015 and 31 aircraft purchased in 2014.
This increase was offset partially by a decrease in lease rental revenue of:
$53.1 million due to aircraft sales; and
$19.2 million due to lease extensions, amendments and transitions and $1.6 million from other changes.
Finance lease revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, $3.5 million of interest income from finance leases was recognized as compared to $7.9 million of interest income from finance leases recorded for the same period in 2014 as a result of the sale of two aircraft during the second quarter of 2015 and six aircraft during the second quarter of 2014.

33



Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of lease incentives
$
(7,751
)
 
$
(6,154
)
Amortization of lease premiums
(5,366
)
 
(4,513
)
Amortization of lease discounts
4,942

 
4,490

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives
$
(8,175
)
 
$
(6,177
)

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 increase in amortization of lease incentives of $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily attributable to $1.5 million of lease incentive amortization related to aircraft that have been transitioned during the six months ended June 30, 2015, partially offset by the reversal of $3.8 million of lease incentive amortization in the six months ended June 30, 2014 related to a change in the forecasted maintenance events for one lease.
As more fully described above under “Revenues,” lease premiums represent the present value of the amount above current lease rates for acquired aircraft with attached leases. The increase in amortization of lease premiums of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 resulted primarily from four aircraft purchased during the first six months of 2015 and ten aircraft purchased during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Maintenance revenue.
Scheduled lease terminations. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we recorded $39.4 million of maintenance revenue from 12 scheduled lease terminations. For the same period in 2014, we recorded $55.4 million of maintenance revenue from 12 scheduled lease terminations offset by $16.4 million of contra maintenance revenue related to three scheduled lease terminations.
Other revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, other revenue was $2.1 million, which primarily represents additional fees earned from two lessees in connection with the early termination of six leases. For the six months ended 2014, other revenue was $4.3 million which primarily represents additional fees earned from one lessee in connection with the early termination of one lease.

Operating expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by 5.2%, or $18.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014, primarily as a result of the following:
Depreciation expense increased by 1.7%, or $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The net increase is primarily the result of:
a $25.9 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired; and
a $4.3 million increase due to changes in asset lives and residual values; and
a $1.5 million increase due to capitalized aircraft improvements being fully depreciated.
This increase was offset by a $29.2 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sales.




34


Interest, net consisted of the following:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
$
101,648

 
$
99,857

Hedge ineffectiveness losses
294

 
59

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
14,343

 
18,181

Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
7,465

 
6,987

Interest Expense
123,750

 
125,084

Less interest income
(68
)
 
(327
)
Interest, net
$
123,682

 
$
124,757

Interest, net decreased by $1.1 million, or 0.9%, over the six months ended June 30, 2014. The net decrease is primarily a result of a $3.8 million decrease in amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses.
This decrease was primarily offset by higher interest on borrowings of $1.8 million, driven primarily by a higher weighted average debt outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to a year ago.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased slightly over the same period in 2014. Non-cash share based expense was $2.6 million and $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 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 $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $2.1 million over the same period in 2014. The net increase is primarily related to higher maintenance costs of $2.7 million related to unscheduled terminations and $0.4 million related to scheduled terminations and transitions, partially offset by a decrease in other costs of $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the same period in 2014. 

Other income (expense)
Total other income increased $61.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to total other (expense) in the same period in 2014, primarily as a result of the following:

Gain on sale of flight equipment consisted of ten “opportunistic” aircraft sales and two “exit” sales in the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to eleven and twelve, respectively, in the same period in 2014.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Number
 
 
 
Gain (Loss) on
 
 
 
 
 
 
of
 
Maintenance
 
Sale of Flight
 
 
 
Pre-tax
 
 
Aircraft
 
Revenue
 
Equipment
 
Impairment
 
Impact
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Opportunistic Sales
 
10

 
$

 
$
26,250

 
$

 
$
26,250

Exit Sales
 
2

 
7,034

 
1,530

 
(5,328
)
 
3,236

   Total Sales
 
12

 
7,034

 
27,780

 
(5,328
)
 
29,486

Freighter Exits (1)
 
2

 
11,412

 
(425
)
 
(17,852
)
 
(6,865
)
    Total
 
14

 
$
18,446

 
$
27,355

 
$
(23,180
)
 
$
22,621

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________

(1) We intend to sell these freighter aircraft in the third quarter of 2015.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. We did not record any loss on extinguishment of debt in the six months ended June 30, 2015. During the second quarter of 2014, we repaid our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 and recorded $36.6 million in debt extinguishment costs.

35



Other decreased by $0.5 million related to the mark to market value of an undesignated interest rate derivative.

Income tax provision
Our provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $9.3 million and $7.4 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 $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 was primarily attributable to changes in operating income subject to tax in Ireland, Singapore, the United States and other jurisdictions and the treatment of the $36.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt relating to Bermuda operations as a discrete item with no tax benefit in 2014.
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
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $23 and $804, respectively
436

 
382

Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
14,343

 
18,181

Total comprehensive income
$
99,856

 
$
27,476



36


Other comprehensive income was $99.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $72.4 million from the $27.5 million of other comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Other comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 consisted primarily of:
$85.1 million of net income; and
$14.3 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Other comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2014 consisted primarily of:
$8.9 million of net income; and
$18.2 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.


Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we impaired two MD-11 freighter aircraft and one 737-800 aircraft and recorded impairment charges totaling $24.0 million and recorded maintenance revenue of $18.2 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2014, we impaired three 747-400 converted freighter aircraft one Boeing 737-400 aircraft and recorded impairment charges totaling $46.6 million. For these aircraft, we recorded maintenance revenue of $23.7 million and other revenue of $0.1 million and reversed lease incentives of $3.6 million.

Aircraft Monitoring List
At June 30, 2015, we considered four freighter aircraft with a total net book value of $106.7 million to be more susceptible to failing our 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 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.

PROPOSED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Proposed Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.

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 securitization, 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 and other sources, subject to pricing and conditions that we consider satisfactory.
During the first six months of 2015, we met our liquidity and capital resource needs with $249.6 million of cash from operations, $500.0 million in gross proceeds from the issuance of our Senior Notes due 2022, $150.0 million of bank financings secured by two aircraft, $150.0 million draw down on our Revolving Credit Facility and $231.8 million of cash from aircraft sales.
In addition, we increased our revolving credit facility from $450.0 million to $600.0 million and we extended the maturity of our Revolving Credit Facility to May 13, 2019.
As of June 30, 2015, the weighted average maturity of our secured and unsecured debt financings was 4.3 years and we are in compliance with all applicable covenants.
We believe that cash on hand, payments received from lessees and other funds generated from operations, secured borrowings for aircraft, borrowings under our 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.





37


Cash Flows
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
$
249,606

 
$
214,005

Net cash flow used in investing activities
(664,649
)
 
(607,767
)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities
488,328

 
(73,319
)
Operating Activities:
Cash flow from operations was $249.6 million and $214.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively. The increase in cash flow from operations of approximately $35.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the same period in 2014 was primarily a result of:
a $22.7 million decrease in cash paid for interest;
a $20.2 million increase in maintenance revenues; and
a $5.3 million increase in cash from lease rentals.
These inflows were offset by:
a $4.4 million decrease in cash interest from finance leases;
a $2.1 million increase in cash paid for maintenance; and
a $0.3 million increase in cash paid for taxes.
Investing Activities:
Cash used in investing activities was $664.6 million and $607.8 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively. The increase in cash flow used in investing activities of $56.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the same period in 2014, was primarily a result of:
a $68.8 million increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents related to the sale of flight equipment;
a $14.2 million decrease in proceeds from the sale of flight equipment; and
an $11.2 million decrease in net investments in finance leases.
These outflows were offset by a $37.3 million decrease in the acquisition and improvement of flight equipment.
Financing Activities:
Cash provided by financing activities was $488.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 as compared to $73.3 million of cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The net increase in cash flow provided by financing activities of $561.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the same period in 2014 was a result of:
a $507.5 million decrease in securitization and term debt financing repayments, primarily due to the repayment of $219.9 million for Securitization No. 1 and $450.0 million of our 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018 in 2014;
a $33.4 million decrease in payments for terminated cash flow hedges in 2014;
a $32.8 million decrease in debt extinguishment costs in 2014;
an $8.6 million increase in maintenance payments received net of maintenance payments returned; and
a $4.2 million decrease in deferred financings costs.
These increases were offset partially by:
a $15.6 million decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents related to financing activities;
a $3.3 million increase in dividends;
a $3.2 million decrease in proceeds from notes and term debt financings; and

38


a $2.9 million decrease in security deposits received net of security deposits returned.

Debt Obligations
For complete information on our debt obligations, please refer to Note 7 - Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above.

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 to $6.50 billion at June 30, 2015 from approximately $5.30 billion at December 31, 2014 due primarily to:
an increase in borrowings and interest payments as a result of the closing of our Senior Notes due 2022 in January 2015, additional bank financings on aircraft and borrowing on our revolving credit facility; and
an increase in aircraft purchase obligations due primarily to the Embraer purchase agreement signed in June 2015.
The following table presents our actual contractual obligations and their payment due dates as of June 30, 2015.
 
Payments Due By Period as of June 30, 2015
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 - 2022
$
2,700,000

 
$

 
$
500,000

 
$
1,200,000

 
$
1,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility
150,000

 

 

 
150,000

 

Securitization No. 2(1)
334,073

 
254,291

 
79,782

 

 

ECA Term Financings(2)
427,378

 
46,191

 
97,439

 
104,566

 
179,182

Bank Financings(3)
670,945

 
59,974

 
171,047

 
137,865

 
302,059

Total principal payments
4,282,396

 
360,456

 
848,268

 
1,592,431

 
1,481,241

Interest payments on debt obligations and derivative instruments(4)
942,037

 
206,541

 
357,653

 
254,003

 
123,840

Office leases(5)
6,113

 
958

 
1,633

 
1,530

 
1,992

Purchase obligations(6)
1,266,550

 
198,590

 
248,323

 
608,228

 
211,409

Total
$
6,497,096

 
$
766,545

 
$
1,455,877

 
$
2,456,192

 
$
1,818,482

 

        

(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 and derivative instruments are estimated using the interest rate in effect at June 30, 2015.
(5) Represents contractual payment obligations for our office leases in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
(6) At June 30, 2015, we had commitments to acquire 34 aircraft for $1,266,550, including the acquisition of 25 new E-Jet E-2 aircraft from Embraer S.A. Committed amounts for the purchase of aircraft include estimated amounts for pre-delivery deposits, contractual price escalation and other adjustments. As of July 31, 2015, after taking into account three aircraft acquisitions during July 2015, we have commitments to acquire 31 aircraft for $1,177,900.

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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, we incurred a total of $26.5 million and $14.1 million, respectively, of capital expenditures (including lease incentives) related to the acquisition and improvement of aircraft.

39


As of June 30, 2015, the weighted average age (by net book value) of our aircraft was approximately 8.0 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 June 30, 2015, we had a $351.1 million maintenance payment liability on our balance sheet, which is a $17.7 million increase from December 31, 2014. The increase consisted of net maintenance cash inflows of $11.0 million and an increase in lease incentive liabilities of $6.7 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 hold 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 in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements above. At June 30, 2015, the net book value of the joint venture’s five aircraft was approximately $493 million.

Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
At June 30, 2015, 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 six months ended June 30, 2015, expenses, such as payroll and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar aggregated approximately $7.4 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, our international operations and our exposure to foreign currency risk will likely increase over time. Although we have not yet entered into foreign currency hedges 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, we incurred insignificant net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.



40


Hedging
The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) and losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2015 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
June 30,
2015
 
Amount of Deferred (Gain) or Loss Amortized (including Accelerated Amortization) into Interest Expense For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Amount of Deferred (Gain) or Loss Expected to be Amortized over the Next Twelve Months
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Securitization No. 2
 
410,000

 
Feb-07
 
Apr-17
 
5.14

 
Jun-07
 
(3,119
)
 
(132
)
 
(201
)
 
(130
)
 
(109
)
Senior Notes due 2017 and 2020
 
150,000

 
Jul-07
 
Dec-17
 
5.14

 
Mar-08
 
15,281

 
2,636

 
583

 
656

 
1,166

Senior Notes due 2019
 
491,718

 
May-13
 
May-15
 
5.31

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

 

 
4,401

 
7,943

 

Senior Notes due 2018
 
360,000

 
Jan-08
 
Feb-19
 
5.16

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

 
4,706

 
747

 
797

 
1,418

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
 
231,000

 
Apr-10
 
Oct-15
 
5.17

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

 
398

 
604

 
349

 
398

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
 
238,000

 
Jan-11
 
Apr-16
 
5.23

 
Dec-08
 
19,430

 
2,060

 
1,471

 
1,623

 
2,060

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
 
238,000

 
Jul-11
 
Sep-16
 
5.27

 
Dec-08
 
17,254

 
1,953

 
920

 
1,016

 
1,690

Senior Notes due 2018
 
451,911

 
Jun-06
 
Jun-16
 
5.78

 
Feb-14
 
20,762

 
7,939

 
4,269

 
4,157

 
7,939

Senior Notes due 2018
 
108,089

 
Jun-06
 
Jun-16
 
5.78

 
Feb-14
 
6,101

 
2,333

 
1,254

 
1,222

 
2,333

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
145,499

 
$
21,893

 
$
14,048

 
$
17,633

 
$
16,895


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.

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, 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.

41


The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Depreciation
77,368

 
75,784

 
152,214

 
149,711

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
4,351

 
(414
)
 
8,175

 
6,177

Interest, net
61,551

 
60,494

 
123,682

 
124,757

Income tax provision
4,465

 
6,558

 
9,328

 
7,441

     EBITDA
189,543

 
145,558

 
378,476

 
296,999

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Impairment of aircraft
23,955

 
28,306

 
23,955

 
46,569

  Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
36,570

 

 
36,570

  Non-cash share based payment expense
1,387

 
1,228

 
2,557

 
2,218

  Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts
(277
)
 

 
(166
)
 
(681
)
     Adjusted EBITDA
$
214,608

 
$
211,662

 
$
404,822

 
$
381,675


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.

The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to ANI for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
41,808

 
$
3,136

 
$
85,077

 
$
8,913

Loss on extinguishment of debt(2)

 
36,570

 

 
36,570

Ineffective portion and termination of hedges(1)
294

 
9

 
294

 
62

Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)
(277
)
 

 
(166
)
 
(681
)
         Non-cash share based payment expense(3)
1,387

 
1,228

 
2,557

 
2,218

         Term Financing No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges(1)
1,275

 
3,839

 
4,401

 
7,943

         Securitization No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges (1)
2,742

 
2,910

 
5,523

 
5,927

Adjusted net income
$
47,229

 
$
47,692

 
$
97,686

 
$
60,952

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

42


 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Weighted-average shares:
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Common shares outstanding
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

 
80,388,691

Restricted common shares
650,206

 
643,590

 
583,213

 
572,452

Total weighted-average shares
81,216,606

 
81,033,586

 
81,148,638

 
80,961,143

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Common shares outstanding
99.20
%
 
99.21
%
 
99.28
%
 
99.29
%
Restricted common shares
0.80
%
 
0.79
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.71
%
Total
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
100.00
%
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

 
80,388,691

Effect of dilutive shares

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted (b)
80,566,400

 
80,389,996

 
80,565,425

 
80,388,691

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Adjusted net income allocation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (loss)
$
47,229

 
$
47,692

 
$
97,686

 
$
60,952

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
(378
)
 
(379
)
 
(702
)
 
(431
)
Adjusted net income allocable to common shares – Basic and Diluted
$
46,851

 
$
47,313

 
$
96,984

 
$
60,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per common share – Basic and Diluted
$
0.58

 
$
0.59

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.75

        
(a)
For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.80% and 0.79% of net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.72% and 0.71% 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 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;

43


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.

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 June 30, 2015 by $4.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, over the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2015, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $3.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, net of amounts received from our interest rate derivatives, over the next twelve months.


44


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 June 30, 2015. 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 June 30, 2015.

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 June 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

45


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
Except for the risk factor stated below, 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, 2014.
Risks Related to our Order of New Embraer E-Jet E2 Aircraft
We do not have lease commitments or financing in place for the 25 E-Jet E2 aircraft that we have contracted to purchase from Embraer which are scheduled for delivery between 2018 and 2021. Our ability to lease these aircraft on favorable terms, if at all, may be adversely affected by desirability of this new aircraft type and risks to the commercial airline industry generally. If we are unable to obtain the necessary financing or otherwise satisfy our contractual obligations to Embraer, we will be subject to several potential risks, including:
forfeiting advance deposits and progress payments to Embraer, as well as incurring certain significant costs related to these commitments such as actual damages and legal, accounting and financial advisory expenses;
defaulting on any future lease commitments, which could result in monetary damages and strained relationships with lessees;
failing to realize the benefits of purchasing and leasing such aircraft; and
risking harm to our business reputation, which would make it more difficult to purchase and lease aircraft in the future on agreeable terms, if at all.
In addition, the Embraer E-Jet E2 is a new aircraft variant under development and is not yet in production. While the E-Jet E2 aircraft will incorporate a modified version of the recently introduced Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engine, it is also not in production. Airframe and engine manufacturers have occasionally experienced delays and technical difficulties in bringing new aircraft and engine types to market. If any aircraft for which we have made future lease commitments is delayed or if Embraer is unable to produce the aircraft in compliance with the performance specifications, some or all of our affected lessees might be able to terminate their leases with respect to such aircraft. Moreover, our purchase agreement with Embraer and the anticipated future leases for these aircraft contain certain cancellation rights related to delays in delivery. Any such termination could strain our relations with those lessees going forward. Lastly, we will rely on Embraer to return any advance deposits and progress payments if they are unable to meet their obligations to us and we may not be able to recover such amounts if Embraer defaults or becomes insolvent. Any of these events could materially and adversely affect our financial results and operations.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the second quarter of 2015, 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)
April 1 through April 30

 
$

 

 
$
100,000,000

May 1 through May 31

 

 

 
100,000,000

June 1 through June 30
10,638

(b) 
0.01

 

 
100,000,000

Total
10,638

 
$
0.01

 

 
$
100,000,000

 
        

46


(a)
On October 31, 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $100.0 million of the Company’s common shares.
(b)
Reflects the repurchase of unvested common shares from a former employee of the Company.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5.    Other Information
None.

47


 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
 
Amended Bye-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-182242) filed on June 20, 2012).
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 April 4, 2012, by and between 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 5, 2012).
4.3
 
Indenture, dated as of November 30, 2012, by and between 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).
4.4
 
Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2013, by and between 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 6, 2013).
4.5
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2013, by and between Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 6, 2013).
4.6
 
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2014, by and between 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).
4.7
 
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2015, by and between 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 January 15, 2015).
4.8
 
Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement, dated February 18, 2015 by and among Aircastle Limited, Marubeni Corporation and Marubeni Aviation Holding Coöperatief U.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 6, 2015).
10.1
 
Amendment Agreement to the Credit Agreement, dated January 26, 2015, by and among Aircastle Limited, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Citibank N.A., in its capacity as agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 6, 2015).
10.2
 
Amendment Agreement to the Credit Agreement, dated May 13, 2015, by and among Aircastle Limited, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Citibank N.A., in its capacity as agent for the lenders. *
10.3
 
Purchase Agreement COM0270-15, dated as of June 12, 2015, by and between Aircastle Holding Corporation and Embraer S.A. * †
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 June 30, 2015. *
101
 
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. *

*     Filed herewith.
† Portions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such portions have been omitted in reliance on a request for confidential treatment.
    

48


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: August 6, 2015

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

49