e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
OR
     
o   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, 5
th Floor, Stamford, CT
(Address of principal executive offices)
  06902
(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 o
     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 o NO o
     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 o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filero   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a 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 o NO þ
     As of October 29, 2010, there were 79,471,068 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.01 per share.
 
 

 


 

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
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Table of Contents

PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
                 
    December 31,     September 30,  
    2009     2010  
            (Unaudited)  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 142,666     $ 310,881  
Accounts receivable
    2,941       1,900  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    207,834       190,331  
Restricted liquidity facility collateral
    81,000       77,000  
Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $586,537 and $740,786
    3,812,970       3,871,054  
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments
    141,144       228,023  
Leasehold improvements, furnishings and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,455 and $2,746
    802       534  
Other assets
    65,155       71,569  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 4,454,512     $ 4,751,292  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES
               
Borrowings from secured and unsecured debt financings (including borrowings of ACS Ireland VIEs of $331,856 and $318,736, respectively)
  $ 2,464,560     $ 2,679,909  
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    60,392       68,738  
Dividends payable
    7,955       7,947  
Lease rentals received in advance
    34,381       38,049  
Liquidity facility
    81,000       77,000  
Security deposits
    82,533       77,610  
Maintenance payments
    253,175       299,519  
Fair value of derivative liabilities
    179,279       217,089  
 
           
Total liabilities
    3,163,275       3,465,861  
 
           
 
               
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, 79,550,421 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009; and 79,471,068 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010
    796       795  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,479,995       1,483,577  
Retained earnings
    70,294       92,036  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (259,848 )     (290,977 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,291,237       1,285,431  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 4,454,512     $ 4,751,292  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Revenues:
                               
Lease rental revenue
  $ 128,283     $ 133,486     $ 383,683     $ 391,741  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    (3,992 )     (4,203 )     (7,919 )     (13,957 )
Maintenance revenue
    31,376       2,540       47,616       14,630  
 
                       
Total lease rentals
    155,667       131,823       423,380       392,414  
Interest income
    556             1,783        
Other revenue
    9,517       424       9,628       578  
 
                       
Total revenues
    165,740       132,247       434,791       392,992  
 
                       
 
                               
Expenses:
                               
Depreciation
    53,130       55,703       156,379       164,272  
Interest, net
    43,032       47,453       127,925       128,578  
Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,742 and $1,532 for the three months ended, and $5,129 and $5,243 for the nine months ended, September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively)
    11,074       11,334       33,291       34,043  
Impairment of aircraft
    18,211       7,342       18,211       7,342  
Maintenance and other costs
    4,836       1,192       15,114       6,829  
 
                       
Total expenses
    130,283       123,024       350,920       341,064  
 
                       
 
                               
Other income (expense):
                               
Gain (loss) on sale of aircraft
    162             162       (1,291 )
Other income (expense)
    (738 )     (501 )     855       (1,047 )
 
                       
Total other income (expense)
    (576 )     (501 )     1,017       (2,338 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    34,881       8,722       84,888       49,590  
Income tax provision
    1,423       153       5,388       4,003  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per common share — Basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.11     $ 1.00     $ 0.57  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per common share — Diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.11     $ 1.00     $ 0.57  
 
                       
 
                               
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    156,379       164,272  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    8,808       11,494  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    7,919       13,957  
Deferred income taxes
    4,560       2,957  
Accretion of purchase discounts on debt investments
    (430 )      
Non-cash share based payment expense
    5,129       5,243  
Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings
    10,932       6,412  
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges
    (116 )     2,533  
(Gain) loss on sale of flight equipment
    (162 )     1,291  
Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings
    (36,982 )     (13,026 )
Loss on sale of investments
    131        
Impairment of aircraft
    18,211       7,342  
Other
    (556 )     990  
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (909 )     15  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    (35,456 )     17,503  
Other assets
    (1,975 )     (4,288 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (8,397 )     3,137  
Lease rentals received in advance
    (537 )     3,298  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    206,049       268,717  
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives
    (124,082 )     (230,450 )
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment
    10,601       34,832  
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of returned deposits
    (41,912 )     (124,994 )
Proceeds from sale of debt investments
    5,423        
Principal repayments on debt investments
    3,787        
Leasehold improvements, furnishings and equipment
    (82 )     (23 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (146,265 )     (320,635 )
 
           
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repurchase of shares from directors and employees
    (247 )     (1,662 )
Proceeds from debt financings
    70,916       472,682  
Debt repayments
    (111,619 )     (257,418 )
Deferred financing costs
    (3,588 )     (11,974 )
Restricted secured liquidity facility collateral
    (81,000 )     4,000  
Secured liquidity facility collateral
    81,000       (4,000 )
Security deposits received
    39,554       6,675  
Security deposits returned
    (11,541 )     (10,255 )
Maintenance payments received
    56,608       89,035  
Maintenance payments returned
    (21,938 )     (39,511 )
Payments for terminated hedges
    (2,758 )     (3,586 )
Dividends paid
    (23,710 )     (23,853 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (8,323 )     220,133  
 
           
 
               
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    51,461       168,215  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    80,947       142,666  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 132,408     $ 310,881  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest
  $ 109,525     $ 103,895  
 
           
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 2,304     $ 3,121  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:
               
Security deposits, maintenance payment liabilities and other liabilities settled in sale of flight equipment
  $ 2,556     $ 100  
 
           
Advance lease rentals and security deposits assumed in asset acquisitions
  $     $ 4,330  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activities:
               
Advance lease rentals converted to maintenance reserves
  $     $ 1,750  
 
           
Security deposits converted to advance lease rentals
  $     $ 730  
 
           
Security deposits converted to maintenance payment liabilities
  $ 11,110     $  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
     Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 by Fortress Investment Group LLC and certain of its affiliates (together, the “Fortress Shareholders” or “Fortress”) under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world and investing in aircraft related debt investments.
Basis of Presentation
     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 a single 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, 2009. The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2010 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 six 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17 (“ASU 2009-17”), Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, which requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest, or interests, give it a controlling financial interest in a variable

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
interest entity. The determination of whether a reporting entity is required to consolidate another entity is based on, among other things, the other entity’s purpose and design and the reporting entity’s ability to direct the activities of the other entity that most significantly impact the other entity’s economic performance. This ASU amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity and requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. ASU 2009-17 requires a reporting entity to provide additional disclosures about its involvement with variable interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. The adoption of ASU 2009-17 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 ¯ Variable Interest Entities.
     In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which requires new disclosures (1) to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers, and (2) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), to present separately information about purchases, sales issuances, and settlements on a gross basis rather than as one net number. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Fair Value Measurements
     Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize 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:
    Market approach — Uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
 
    Income approach — Uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectation about those future amounts.
 
    Cost approach — Based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 that we measure at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
                                     
            Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
            Using Fair Value Hierarchy
            Quoted                  
            Prices in                  
            Active     Significant            
    Fair Value     Markets for     Other     Significant      
    as of     Identical     Observable     Unobservable      
    December 31,     Assets     Inputs     Inputs     Valuation
    2009     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Technique
Assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 142,666     $ 142,666     $     $     Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    207,834       207,834                 Market
 
                           
Total
  $ 350,500     $ 350,500     $     $      
 
                           
 
                                   
Liabilities:
                                   
Derivative liabilities
  $ 179,279     $     $ 140,372     $ 38,907     Income
 
                           
                                     
            Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010
            Using Fair Value Hierarchy
            Quoted                  
            Prices in                  
            Active     Significant            
    Fair Value     Markets for     Other     Significant      
    as of     Identical     Observable     Unobservable      
    September 30,     Assets     Inputs     Inputs     Valuation
    2010     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Technique
Assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 310,881     $ 310,881     $     $     Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    190,331       190,331                 Market
 
                           
Total
  $ 501,212     $ 501,212     $     $      
 
                           
 
                                   
Liabilities:
                                   
Derivative liabilities
  $ 217,089     $     $ 150,649     $ 66,440     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.
     Our interest rate derivatives included in Level 3 consist of United States dollar denominated interest rate swaps on Term Financing No. 1 with a guaranteed notional balance. The guaranteed notional balance has an upper notional band that matches the hedged debt and a lower notional band. The notional balance is guaranteed to match the hedged debt balance if the debt balance decreases within the upper and lower notional band. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we made supplemental principal payments on Term Financing No. 1 and the notional balance was adjusted to match the debt balance of Term Financing No. 1. The fair value of the interest rate derivative is determined based on the adjusted upper notional band using cash flows discounted at the relevant market interest rates in effect at

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
the period close. It 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. The range of the guaranteed notional between the upper and lower band represents an option that may not be exercised independently of the debt notional and is therefore valued based on unobservable market inputs.
     The following table reflects the activity for the classes of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010:
                 
    Three Months     Nine Months  
    Ended     Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2010     2010  
    Derivative Liabilities  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ (59,416 )   $ (38,907 )
Transfers into Level 3
           
Transfers out of Level 3
           
Total gains or (losses):
               
Included in interest income
           
Included in other income (expense)
    (171 )     (446 )
Included in interest expense
    (58 )     (180 )
Included in other comprehensive income
    (6,795 )     (26,907 )
 
           
Balance at end of period
  $ (66,440 )   $ (66,440 )
 
           
     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 aircraft. 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 that uses Level 3 inputs, which include the Company’s assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft.
     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized an impairment of $18,211 related to two Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and two Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft, triggered by the early termination of the leases for these aircraft and the change to estimated future cash flows. The Company received $18,176, of which $8,382 represented lease termination payments and $9,794 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessees of these aircraft. These lease termination payments were recorded as other revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $7,342 related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft, triggered by the early termination of the lease for one aircraft, a signed forward sales agreement for the other aircraft and, for each, the change to estimated future cash flows. The Company recorded $4,396 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessees of the aircraft that is the subject of the forward sales agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $1,765 related to maintenance revenue from the lessees of one aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2010.
     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 values of our securitizations which contain third-party credit enhancements are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates of borrowing arrangements that do not

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
contain third-party credit enhancements. The fair values of our term debt financings are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
     The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 are as follows:
                                 
    December 31, 2009     September 30, 2010  
    Carrying Amount     Fair Value of     Carrying Amount     Fair Value of  
    of Asset     Asset     of Asset     Asset  
    (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)  
Securitizations and term debt financings
  $ (2,324,972 )   $ (2,037,718 )   $ (2,099,525 )   $ (1,892,319 )
ECA term financings
    (139,588 )     (140,984 )     (201,585 )     (207,257 )
A330 PDP Facility
                (82,778 )     (82,778 )
2010-1 Notes
                (296,021 )     (304,500 )
Note 3. Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease
     Minimum future annual lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at September 30, 2010 were as follows:
         
Year Ending December 31,   Amount  
Remainder of 2010
  $ 134,788  
2011
    522,082  
2012
    458,435  
2013
    354,419  
2014
    270,676  
2015
    216,745  
Thereafter
    415,130  
 
     
Total
  $ 2,372,275  
 
     
     Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
Region   2009     2010     2009     2010  
Europe
    47 %     46 %     46 %     46 %
Asia
    18 %     21 %     20 %     20 %
North America
    16 %     14 %     16 %     15 %
Latin America
    8 %     9 %     7 %     9 %
Middle East and Africa
    11 %     10 %     11 %     10 %
 
                       
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
                       
     The classification of regions in the tables above and the table and discussion below is determined based on the principal location of the lessee of each aircraft.
     For the three months ended September 30, 2009, one customer accounted for 7% of lease rental revenue or, if combined with two companies under common control with it, 11% of lease rental revenue and for the three months ended September 30, 2010, one customer accounted for 7% of lease rental revenue or, if combined with two companies under common control with it, 10% of lease rental revenue. The obligations of these companies under common control are not guaranteed by the controlling entity.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, one customer accounted for 7% of lease rental revenue or, if combined with two companies under common control with it, 11% of lease rental revenue and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, one customer accounted for 7% of lease rental revenue or, if combined with two companies under common control with it, 11% of lease rental revenue. The obligations of these companies under common control are not guaranteed by the controlling entity.
     The following tables set forth revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total revenue based on each lessee’s principal place of business:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2009     2010  
            Percent of     Number             Percent of     Number  
            Total     of             Total     of  
Country   Revenue     Revenue     Lessees     Revenue     Revenue     Lessees  
United States
  $ 16,501       10 %     4     $ 16,980       13 %     4  
China(a)
                      14,714       11 %     5  
Netherlands
    24,001       14 %     4       14,015       11 %     3  
India(b) (c)
    19,944       12 %     3                    
 
(a)   Total revenue attributable to China was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
(b)   Total revenue attributable to India was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
 
(c)   Includes maintenance revenue of $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2009     2010  
            Percent of     Number             Percent of     Number  
            Total     of             Total     of  
Country   Revenue     Revenue     Lessees     Revenue     Revenue     Lessees  
United States
  $ 48,841       11 %     4     $ 50,379       13 %     4  
China(a)
                      42,557       11 %     5  
Netherlands
    53,418       12 %     4       42,042       11 %     3  
India(b) (c)
    46,318       11 %     3                    
 
(a)   Total revenue attributable to China was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
(b)   Total revenue attributable to India was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
(c)   Includes maintenance revenue of $31.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
     Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
                                 
    December 31, 2009     September 30, 2010  
    Number             Number        
    of     Net Book     of     Net Book  
Region   Aircraft     Value %     Aircraft     Value %  
Europe
    58       46 %     62       46 %
Asia
    30 (1)     20 %     33       23 %
North America
    15       12 %     14       11 %
Latin America
    10       9 %     11       9 %
Middle East and Africa
    13       12 %     11       11 %
Off-lease
    3 (2)     1 %     1 (3)     %
 
                       
Total
    129       100 %     132       100 %
 
                       
 
(1)   Includes one Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft which was being converted to freighter configuration and for which we had an executed lease with a carrier in Asia post-conversion and which we delivered in the first quarter of 2010.
 
(2)   Includes one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft which was returned to us on a consensual early lease termination in the third quarter of 2009 and which was delivered to a customer on lease in the second quarter of 2010 and two Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft which were returned to us early on a consensual basis in the third quarter of 2009, one of which was sold in the second quarter of 2010 and the other which was sold in the third quarter of 2010.
 
(3)   Represents one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft which was returned to us late in the third quarter of 2010 when a customer ceased operations. We are currently marketing this aircraft for lease or sale.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     The following table sets forth net book value of flight equipment attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total assets based on each lessee’s principal place of business as of:
                                                 
    December 31, 2009     September 30, 2010  
    Net Book     Net Book     Number of     Net Book     Net Book     Number of  
Country   Value     Value %     Lessees     Value     Value %     Lessees  
China
  $                 $ 444,396       11 %     5  
Netherlands
    435,796       11 %     3       416,539       11 %     3  
 
(a)   The net book value of flight equipment attributable to China was less than 10% as of December 31, 2009.
     At December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on the consolidated balance sheets were $14,859 and $19,011, respectively.
     At December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the amounts of prepaid lease incentives, net of amortization, recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets were $9,560 and $8,668 respectively.
Note 4. Variable Interest Entities
     As described in Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, effective January 1, 2010 ASU 2009-17 provided additional guidance for determining when to consolidate certain entities in which the investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support by any parties, including equity holders.
     Aircastle consolidates six VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland plc (“ACS Ireland”), ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland 2 Limited (“ACS Ireland 2”), ACS Ireland 3 Limited (“ACS Ireland 3”), Air Knight 1 Leasing Limited (“Air Knight 1”), Air Knight 2 Leasing Limited (“Air Knight 2”) and Air Knight 3 Leasing Limited (“Air Knight 3”). The operating activities of these VIEs are limited to acquiring, owning, leasing, maintaining, operating and, under certain circumstances, selling the eighteen aircraft discussed below.
Securitizations and Term Financing
     In connection with Securitization No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Ireland and ACS Aircraft Finance Bermuda Limited (“ACS Bermuda”) issued Class A-1 notes and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Securitization No. 2, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Ireland 2 and ACS 2007-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 2”) issued Class A-1 notes and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Term Financing No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Ireland 3 and ACS 2008-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 3”) entered into a seven year term debt facility and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the term debt facility. ACS Bermuda, ACS Bermuda 2 and ACS Bermuda 3 are collectively referred to as the “ACS Bermuda Group”. At September 30, 2010, the assets of the three VIEs include fifteen aircraft transferred into the VIEs at historical cost basis in connection with Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of ACS Ireland, ACS Ireland 2 and ACS Ireland 3 (collectively, the “ACS Ireland VIEs”) as we have both 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 Class E-1 Securities. Although Aircastle has not guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs debt, Aircastle wholly owns the ACS Bermuda Group which has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs 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 the ACS Ireland VIEs. The Irish charitable trust’s risk is limited to its annual dividend of $2 per VIE.
     The combined assets of the ACS Ireland VIEs as of September 30, 2010 are $474,142. The combined liabilities of the ACS Ireland VIEs, net of $96,016 Class E-1 Securities held by the Company which is eliminated in consolidation, as of September 30, 2010 are $425,800.
ECA Term Financings
     Air Knight 1, Air Knight 2, and Air Knight 3 (collectively, the “Air Knight VIEs”) entered into three different twelve-year term loans, two with Citibank International Plc, and one with Calyon, all of which are supported by a guarantee from Compagnie Francaise d’Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, (“COFACE”), the French government sponsored export credit agency (“ECA”), for the financing of three new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft. The Air Knight VIEs are owned by a charitable trust. 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 Aircastle Advisor LLC (Aircastle’s wholly owned subsidiary) is the Servicer and is responsible for the leasing of the 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. The related aircraft are included in our flight equipment held for lease balance. The consolidated liabilities of the Air Knight VIEs as of September 30, 2010 are $219,256.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 5. Borrowings from Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings
     The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings were as follows:
                                 
    At    
    December 31,    
    2009   At September 30, 2010
    Outstanding   Outstanding           Final Stated
Debt Obligation   Borrowings   Borrowings   Interest Rate(1)   Maturity(2)
Secured Debt Financings:
                               
Securitization No. 1
  $ 436,091     $ 420,444       0.53 %     6/20/31  
Securitization No. 2
    1,061,566       1,012,961       0.52 %     6/14/37  
Term Financing No. 1
    708,710       666,120       2.01 %     5/02/15  
Term Financing No. 2
    118,605             N/A       N/A  
ECA Term Financings
    139,588       201,585     2.65% to 4.48%   5/27/21 to 08/31/22
A330 PDP Facility
          82,778       2.76 %     12/1/11 (3)
 
                               
Total secured debt financings
    2,464,560       2,383,888                  
 
                               
 
                               
Unsecured Debt Financings:
                               
2010-1 Notes
          296,021       9.75 %     8/01/18  
2010 Revolving Credit Facility
                N/A       9/28/13  
 
                               
Total unsecured debt financings
          296,021                  
 
                               
 
                               
Total secured and unsecured debt financings
  $ 2,464,560     $ 2,679,909                  
 
                               
 
(1)   Reflects floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date except for the ECA Term Financings, which are fixed rate.
 
(2)   For Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization, if the debt is not refinanced by June 2011, June 2012, and May 2013, respectively.
 
(3)   Reflects the last scheduled delivery month for the six relevant new Airbus A330-200 delivery positions. The final maturity date is the earlier of the aircraft delivery date or nine months after the scheduled delivery month for the last scheduled delivery position.
     The following securitizations and term debt financing structures include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:
                                         
            Available Liquidity              
            December 31,     September 30,     Unused     Interest Rate  
Facility   Liquidity Facility Provider     2009     2010     Fee     on any Advances  
Securitization No. 1
  Calyon   $ 42,000     $ 42,000       0.45 %   1M Libor + 1.00%
Securitization No. 2
  HSH Nordbank AG(1)     79,617       75,972       0.50 %   1M Libor + 0.75%
Term Financing No. 1
  Calyon     14,174       13,222       0.60 %   1M Libor + 1.20%
 
(1)   Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider in May 2009, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
Secured Debt Financings:
 Term Financing No. 1
     A maintenance-adjusted appraisal of Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio must be completed each year before a date in early May by a specified appraiser. To determine the maintenance-adjusted values, the appraiser applies upward or downward, adjustments of “half-life” current market values for the aircraft in the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio based upon the maintenance status of the airframe, engines, landing gear and auxiliary power unit (“APU”), and applies certain other upward or downward adjustments for equipment, capabilities and utilization. Compliance with the loan to value ratio is measured each month by comparing the 75% minimum ratio against the most recently completed maintenance-adjusted appraised value, less 0.5% for each month since such appraisal was provided to the lenders, plus 75% of the cash maintenance reserve balance held on deposit for the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio. Noncompliance

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
with the loan to value ratio will require us to make supplemental principal payments but will not by itself result in a default under Term Financing No. 1.
     In March 2010, we completed the maintenance-adjusted appraisal for the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio and determined that our loan to value ratio on the April 2010 payment date was approximately 78%. During the second quarter of 2010, we made supplemental principal payments of $11,496. In June 2010, we amended the loan documents for Term Financing No. 1 so that 75% of the stated amount of qualifying letters of credit held for maintenance events would be taken into account in the loan to value test. Based on this amendment and the supplemental principal payments previously made, we were in compliance with the loan to value ratio as of October 12, 2010.
 Term Financing No. 2
     The outstanding principal balance of Term Financing No. 2 in the amount of $103,196, plus accrued interest, loan breakage fees, interest rate derivative breakage fees of $3,586, and accrued interest on the terminated interest rate derivative, was repaid in full, and no further amounts may be drawn thereunder, from the proceeds of the 2010-1 Notes on August 12, 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, we wrote-off $1,859 of deferred financing fees, which is reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of income.
 ECA Term Financings
     In August 2010, we entered into a twelve-year $68,967 term loan with Citibank N.A. which is supported by a guarantee from Compagnie Francaise d’Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, or COFACE, the French government sponsored export credit agency, or ECA, for the financing of a new Airbus Model A330-200F freighter aircraft. The borrowing under this financing bears a fixed rate of interest equal to 2.645%. We refer to these COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings”.
     The obligations outstanding under the ECA Term Financings are secured by, among other things, a mortgage over the aircraft and a pledge of our ownership interest in our subsidiary company that leases the aircraft to the operator. The ECA Term Financings documents contain a $500,000 minimum net worth covenant for Aircastle Limited, as well as a material adverse change default, a cross default to any other recourse obligation of Aircastle Limited, and other terms and conditions customary for ECA-supported financings being completed at this time. In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the ECA Term Financings.
 A330 PDP Facility
     In June 2010, one of our subsidiaries entered into a $108,500 loan facility to finance a portion of the pre-delivery payments (“PDP”) on six new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft to be acquired under the Airbus A330 acquisition agreement (the “Airbus A330 Agreement”). See Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies. We refer to this loan facility as the “A330 PDP Facility”. The loans are secured by, among other things, an assignment of certain rights under the Airbus A330 Agreement and an assignment of the lease agreement for each aircraft and are guaranteed by Aircastle Limited.
     Loans under the A330 PDP Facility bear interest on a floating rate basis of one-month Libor plus 2.50% per annum and are payable monthly in arrears following the initial drawdown on the outstanding balance of the facility. The loans are subject to a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, on the undrawn portion of the facility. The facility may be prepaid without penalty, subject to certain customary conditions. Each loan is payable in full on the delivery date of the relevant aircraft. There are no financial covenants associated with this facility.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
 A330 SLB Facility
     In July 2010, one of our subsidiaries entered into a $75,000 secured credit facility, which we refer to as the “A330 SLB Facility,” with Citicorp North America Inc., to finance the acquisition of three used Airbus Model A330-200 passenger configuration aircraft during the third quarter of 2010 from Sri Lankan Airlines in a sale-leaseback transaction. On July 26, 2010, the first of the three sale-leaseback transactions closed and we borrowed $25,000 under the facility. The outstanding balance in the amount of $25,000 plus accrued interest was repaid in full from the proceeds of the 2010-1 Notes on August 3, 2010 and no further amounts may be drawn thereunder. During the third quarter of 2010, we wrote-off $612 of deferred financing fees which is reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of income.
Unsecured Debt Financings:
 2010-1 Notes
     On July 30, 2010, Aircastle Limited issued $300,000 aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018, which we refer to as the “2010-1 Notes”, pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2010, between Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The 2010-1 Notes were issued at 98.645% of par and were offered only to qualified institutional buyers and buyers outside the United States in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S, respectively, under the Securities Act of 1933. The 2010-1 Notes will mature on August 1, 2018 and bear interest at the rate of 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2011 to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.
     The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 2010-1 Notes at any time on or after August 1, 2014 at a premium decreasing ratably to zero, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to August 1, 2013 the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2010-1 Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.75%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company undergoes a change of control, it must offer to repurchase the 2010-1 Notes at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2010-1 Notes are the Company’s unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt. The 2010-1 Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing such debt, and to any existing and future liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 2010-1 Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries or any third party.
     We used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2010-1 Notes to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 2 and our A330 SLB Facility and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets.
     On September 24, 2010, the 2010-1 Notes were registered by the Company with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and in October 2010 we completed the exchange of all outstanding unregistered 2010-1 Notes. The registered notes have terms that are substantially identical to the privately placed notes.
 2010 Revolving Credit Facility
     On September 28, 2010, the Company entered into a three-year $50,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which we refer to as the “2010 Revolving Credit Facility”. The 2010 Revolving Credit Facility provides loans in amounts up to $50,000 for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We have not drawn on the 2010 Revolving Credit Facility.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 6. Dividends
     The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared by our Board of Directors for the periods covered in this report:
                                 
    Dividend     Aggregate              
    per Common     Dividend              
Declaration Date   Share     Amount     Record Date     Payment Date  
December 22, 2008
  $ 0.10     $ 7,862     December 31, 2008   January 15, 2009
March 13, 2009
  $ 0.10       7,923     March 31, 2009   April 15, 2009
June 10, 2009
  $ 0.10       7,923     June 30, 2009   July 15, 2009
September 10, 2009
  $ 0.10       7,925     September 30, 2009   October 15, 2009
December 14, 2009
  $ 0.10       7,955     December 31, 2009   January 15, 2010
March 12, 2010
  $ 0.10       7,951     March 31, 2010   April 15, 2010
May 25, 2010
  $ 0.10       7,947     June 30, 2010   July 15, 2010
September 21, 2010
  $ 0.10       7,947     September 30, 2010   October 15, 2010
Note 7. 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 and diluted 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 are 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     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Weighted-average shares:
                               
Common shares outstanding
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
Restricted common shares
    1,352,974       1,048,237       1,309,244       1,137,163  
 
                       
Total weighted-average shares
    79,365,888       79,584,941       79,286,333       79,607,400  
 
                       
 
                               
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
                               
Common shares outstanding
    98.30 %     98.68 %     98.35 %     98.57 %
Restricted common shares
    1.70 %     1.32 %     1.65 %     1.43 %
 
                       
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     100.00 %
 
                       

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Earnings per share — Basic:
                               
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)
    (570 )     (113 )     (1,313 )     (651 )
 
                       
Earnings available to common shareholders – Basic
  $ 32,888     $ 8,456     $ 78,187     $ 44,936  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per common share — Basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.11     $ 1.00     $ 0.57  
 
                       
 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Earnings per share — Diluted:
                               
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares
    (570 )     (113 )     (1,313 )     (651 )
 
                       
Earnings available to common shareholders – Diluted
  $ 32,888     $ 8,456     $ 78,187     $ 44,936  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
Effect of dilutive shares
    (b)     (b)     (b)     (b)
 
                       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings per common share — Diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.11     $ 1.00     $ 0.57  
 
                       
 
(a)   For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.70% and 1.32%, respectively, of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.65% and 1.43%, respectively, of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
 
(b)   For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we have no dilutive shares.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 8. 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 2016. 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.
     The sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
U.S. operations
  $ 383     $ 218     $ 1,342     $ 1,240  
Non-U.S. operations
    34,498       8,504       83,546       48,350  
 
                       
Total
  $ 34,881     $ 8,722     $ 84,888     $ 49,590  
 
                       
     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. We also 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.
     Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Notional U.S. federal income tax expense at the statutory rate
  $ 12,209     $ 3,053     $ 29,711     $ 17,357  
U.S. state and local income tax, net
    19       17       68       78  
Non-U.S. operations
    (10,972 )     (2,925 )     (24,878 )     (14,318 )
Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.
    6       135       21       1,025  
Other
    161       (127 )     466       (139 )
 
                       
Provision for income taxes
  $ 1,423     $ 153     $ 5,388     $ 4,003  
 
                       

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 9. Comprehensive Income
     Total comprehensive income includes net income, the changes in the fair value and the reclassification into earnings of amounts previously deferred relating to our derivative financial instruments which qualify for hedge accounting and the change in unrealized fair value of debt securities classified as available-for-sale. Total comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 was as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $135 and $52 for the three months ended, and tax expense of $1,068 and tax benefit of $332 for the nine months ended, September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively
    (15,696 )     (7,716 )     63,596       (37,541 )
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
    5,894       2,338       13,690       6,412  
Net change in unrealized fair value of debt investments
    1,836             1,698        
 
                       
Total comprehensive income
  $ 25,492     $ 3,191     $ 158,484     $ 14,458  
 
                       
     The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax where applicable, at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010:
         
    Accumulated  
    Other  
    Comprehensive  
    Income (Loss)  
December 31, 2009, net of tax benefit of $3,057
  $ (259,848 )
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $332
    (37,541 )
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
    6,412  
 
     
September 30, 2010
  $ (290,977 )
 
     
Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
     On June 20, 2007, we entered into the Airbus A330 Agreement, under which we agreed to acquire new A330 aircraft (the “New A330 Aircraft”), from Airbus S.A.S. We currently have nine New A330 Aircraft remaining to be delivered, with one scheduled for delivery in 2010, seven in 2011 and one in 2012. During 2009, we acquired two New A330 Aircraft and in August 2010, we acquired one New A330 Aircraft, configured as an Airbus Model A330-200F freighter aircraft.
     Committed amounts to acquire, convert, and modify aircraft including, where applicable, our estimate of adjustments for configuration changes, engine acquisition costs, contractual price escalations and other adjustments, net of amounts already paid, are approximately $265,385 in 2010, $419,492 in 2011 and $61,394 in 2012.
Note 11. Derivatives
     The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2010:
                                                                 
    Liability Derivatives  
                            Future                          
    Current                     Maximum                          
    Notional     Effective     Maturity     Notional     Floating     Fixed              
Hedged Item   Amount     Date     Date     Amount     Rate     Rate     Balance Sheet Location     Fair Value  
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges :
                                                               
Securitization No. 1
  $ 433,368     Jun-06   Jun-16   $ 433,368     1M LIBOR+ 0.27%     5.78 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities   $ 71,852  
Securitization No. 2
    1,004,723     Jun-07   Jun-12     1,004,723     1M LIBOR   5.25 to 5.36 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities     78,797  
Term Financing No. 1(1)
    604,773     Jun-08   May-13     604,773     1M LIBOR     4.04 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities     44,824  
 
Term Financing No. 1(1)
        May-13   May-15     464,181     1M LIBOR     5.31 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities     21,616  
 
                                                         
Total interest rate derivatives
  $ 2,042,864                     $ 2,507,045                             $ 217,089  
 
                                                         
 
(1)   The interest payments related to Term Financing No. 1 are being hedged by two consecutive interest rate derivatives. When the first matures in May 2013, the next becomes effective.
     Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2010, our interest rate derivatives are held with the following counterparties: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Citibank Canada NA and HSH Nordbank AG. All of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of A3 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. All are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of A or above) by Standard and Poor’s except HSH Nordbank AG which is not rated. We do not anticipate that any of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
     In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2010, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $5,555 related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
     Historically, the Company acquired its aircraft using short term credit facilities and equity. The short term credit facilities were refinanced by securitizations or term debt facilities secured by groups of aircraft. The Company completed two securitizations and two term financings during the period 2006 through 2008. The Company entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge interest payments on variable rate debt for acquired aircraft as well as aircraft that it expected to acquire within certain future periods. In conjunction with its financing strategy, the Company used interest rate derivatives for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years to fix the interest rates on the variable rate debt that it incurred to acquire aircraft in anticipation of the expected securitization or term debt re-financings.
     At the time of each re-financing, the initial interest rate derivatives were terminated and new interest rate derivatives were executed as required by each specific debt financing. At the time of each interest rate derivative termination, certain interest rate derivatives were in a gain position and others were in a loss position. Since the hedged interest payments for the variable rate debt associated with each terminated interest rate derivative were probable of occurring, the gain or loss was deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized into interest expense over the relevant period for each interest rate derivative.
     Prior to the securitizations and term debt financings, our interest rate derivatives typically required us to post cash collateral to the counterparty when the value of the interest rate derivative exceeded a defined threshold. When the

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
interest rate derivatives were terminated and became part of a larger aircraft portfolio financing, there were no cash collateral posting requirements associated with the new interest rate derivative. As of September 30, 2010, we did not have any cash collateral pledged under our interest rate derivatives, nor do we have any existing agreements that require cash collateral postings.
     Following is the effect of interest rate derivatives on the statement of financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:
                                         
Effective Portion     Ineffective Portion  
                    Amount of              
Derivatives in   Amount of     Location of     Gain or (Loss)     Location of     Amount of  
ASC 815   Gain or (Loss)     Gain or (Loss)     Reclassified from     Gain or (Loss)     Gain or (Loss)  
Cash Flow   Recognized in OCI     Reclassified from     Accumulated OCI into     Recognized in     Recognized in Income  
Hedging   on Derivative     Accumulated OCI     Income     Income on     on Derivative  
Relationships   (a)     into Income     (b)     Derivative     (c)  
Interest rate derivatives
  $ (109,680 )   Interest expense   $ (77,786 ) (1)   Interest expense   $ (2,866 ) (1)
 
(a)   This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
(b)   This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for each month of the nine months ended September 30, 2010 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
 
(c)   This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
(1)   Excludes accelerated deferred loss of $766 which was charged to interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily as a result of changes in projected future debt related to Term Financing No. 1.
                 
            Amount of Gain  
    Location of Gain     or (Loss)  
    or (Loss)     Recognized in  
Derivatives Not Designated as   Recognized in Income     Income on  
Hedging Instruments under ASC 815   On Derivative     Derivative  
Interest rate derivatives
  Other income (expense)   $ (990 )
     Generally, our interest rate derivatives are hedging current interest payments on debt and future interest payments on long-term debt. In the past, we have entered into forward-starting interest rate derivatives to hedge the anticipated interest payment on long-term financings. These interest rate derivatives were terminated and new, specifically tailored interest rate derivatives were entered into upon closing of the relevant long-term financing. We have also early terminated interest rate derivatives in an attempt to manage our exposure to collateral calls.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) and losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010:
                                                                                 
                                                            Amount of Deferred        
                                                            (Gain) or Loss        
                                                            Amortized (including     Amount of  
                                                            Accelerated     Deferred  
                                                    Unamortized     Amortization) into     (Gain) or Loss  
    Original                                     Deferred     Deferred (Gain)     Interest Expense for     Expected to be  
    Maximum                     Fixed             (Gain) or     or Loss at     the Nine Months Ended     Amortized  
    Notional     Effective     Maturity     Rate     Termination     Loss Upon     September 30,     September 30,     over the Next  
Hedged Item   Amount     Date     Date     %     Date     Termination     2010     2009     2010     Twelve Months  
Securitization No. 1
  $ 400,000     Dec-05   Aug-10     4.61     Jun-06   $ (13,397 )   $     $ (2,321 )   $ (1,847 )   $  
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 1
    200,000     Dec-05   Dec-10     5.03     Jun-06     (2,541 )     (106 )     (369 )     (191 )     (106 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    500,000     Mar-06   Mar-11     5.07     Jun-07     (2,687 )     (287 )     (535 )     (511 )     (287 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    200,000     Jan-07   Aug-12     5.06     Jun-07     (1,850 )     (609 )     (277 )     (264 )     (337 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    410,000     Feb-07   Apr-17     5.14     Jun-07     (3,119 )     (1,743 )     (302 )     (267 )     (345 )
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    150,000     Jul-07   Dec-17     5.14     Mar-08     15,281       9,951       1,554       1,450       1,813  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    440,000     Jun-07   Feb-13     4.88     Partial — Mar-08
Full — Jun-08
    26,281       11,699       4,529       4,229       5,286  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    248,000     Aug-07   May-13     5.33     Jun-08     9,888       4,134       1,681       2,233       1,705  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 2
    360,000     Jan-08   Feb-19     5.16     Partial — Jun-08 Full — Oct-08     23,077       10,603       1,991       1,390       1,492  
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    238,000     Jan-11   Apr-16     5.23     Dec-08     19,430       18,432       940       13       1,781  
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    231,000     Apr-10   Oct-15     5.17     Partial — Jun-08 Full — Dec-08     15,310       12,260       1,291       177       2,319  
 
                                                                               
PDP Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    203,000     Jun-07   Jan-12     4.89     Dec-08     2,728             1,465              
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    238,000     Jul-11   Sep-16     5.27     Dec-08     17,254       15,969       1,285              
 
                                                                     
 
                                                                               
Total
                                          $ 105,655     $ 80,303     $ 10,932     $ 6,412     $ 13,321  
 
                                                                     
     The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense over the next 12 months consists of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives in the amount of $91,583 and the amortization of deferred net losses in the amount of $13,321. Over the next twelve months, we expect the amortization of deferred net losses to increase as certain gains on Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2 fully amortize in the amount of $393 and the losses on the forward starting A330 swaps in the amount of $4,100 begin to amortize as we take delivery of these aircraft. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the amount of loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense consisted of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives in the amount of $73,391, and the amortization of deferred net losses (including accelerated amortization) in the amount of $6,412 as disclosed below.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
     The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Interest Expense:
                               
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses
  $ 457     $ 764     $ (116 )   $ 2,533  
 
                       
Amortization:
                               
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses
    1,176       313       4,880       766  
Amortization of deferred losses
    1,960       2,025       6,052       5,646  
 
                       
Total Amortization
    3,136       2,338       10,932       6,412  
 
                       
Total charged to interest expense
  $ 3,593     $ 3,102     $ 10,816     $ 8,945  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Expense):
                               
Mark to market gains (losses) on undesignated interest rate derivatives
  $ (608 )   $ (444 )   $ 556     $ (990 )
 
                       
Total charged to other income (expense)
  $ (608 )   $ (444 )   $ 556     $ (990 )
 
                       
     The weighted average interest pay rates of these derivatives at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 were 4.91% and 5.00%, respectively.
Note 12. Interest, Net
     The following table shows the components of interest, net:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
  $ 36,779     $ 40,144     $ 110,191     $ 111,090  
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses
    457       764       (116 )     2,533  
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
    3,136       2,338       10,932       6,412  
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
    3,077       5,734       8,808       11,494  
 
                       
Interest Expense
    43,449       48,980       129,815       131,529  
Less interest income
    (57 )     (207 )     (914 )     (247 )
Less capitalized interest
    (360 )     (1,320 )     (976 )     (2,704 )
 
                       
Interest, net
  $ 43,032     $ 47,453     $ 127,925     $ 128,578  
 
                       
Note 13. Shareholders’ Equity and Share Based Payment
     On July 13, 2010, Aircastle Limited entered into an employment agreement with Ron Wainshal, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which amends and restates Mr. Wainshal’s existing employment letter with the Company, dated May 2, 2005, in its entirety. Under the employment agreement, the Company has agreed to amend the restricted share award agreements entered into with Mr. Wainshal in each of December 2007 and January 2009, to provide for an accelerated vesting schedule for certain unvested restricted shares granted to Mr. Wainshal thereunder. The effect of such amendments is to increase the number of common shares of the Company vesting in 2010 and 2011 by approximately 40,000 common shares and consequently reduce the number of common shares vesting in 2012-14 by the same number. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded an additional $297 of share based payment expense to account for the accelerated vesting.

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Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2010
Note 14. Subsequent Events
     In October 2010, the Company received insurance proceeds in the amount of $29,250 related to an aircraft that suffered a total loss as a consequence of an incident which occurred in the third quarter of 2010. Significant damage to the aircraft occurred when the aircraft exited the runway following landing. No serious injuries resulted and there were no fatalities. In October, the insurers declared the aircraft a total loss.
     In November 2010, our counterparty obtained governmental approvals required in connection with an agreement by us to sell four Boeing Model 737-400SF freighter aircraft which we expect to close in the fourth quarter of 2010.
     We estimate that these dispositions will result in a gain in the fourth quarter of 2010 in excess of $13,000.

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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, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or US GAAP. All references to “dollars” and “$” in this report are to, and all monetary amounts in this report are presented in, U.S. dollars.
     Certain items in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”), and other information we provide from time to time, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle Limited can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from Aircastle Limited’s expectations include, but are not limited to, prolonged capital markets disruption and volatility, which may adversely affect our continued ability to obtain additional capital to finance our working capital needs, our pre-delivery payment obligations and other aircraft acquisition commitments, our ability to extend or replace our existing financings, and the demand for and value of aircraft; our exposure to increased bank and counterparty risk caused by credit and capital markets disruptions; volatility in the value of our aircraft or in appraisals thereof, which may, among other things, result in increased principal payments under our term financings and reduce our cash flow available for investment or dividends; general economic conditions and business conditions affecting demand for aircraft and lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to capital, reduced load factors and/or reduced yields, operational disruptions caused by volcanic activity and other factors affecting the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform their obligations under our leases; termination payments on our interest rate hedges; and other risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle Limited’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including “Risk Factors” as previously disclosed in Aircastle’s 2009 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 Limited expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
WEBSITE AND ACCESS TO COMPANY’S REPORTS
     The Company’s Internet website can be found at www.aircastle.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 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 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.
     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.

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OVERVIEW
     We are a global company that acquires, leases and sells high-utility commercial jet aircraft to passenger and cargo airlines throughout the world. High-utility aircraft are generally modern, operationally efficient jets with a large operator base and long useful lives. As of September 30, 2010, our aircraft portfolio consisted of 132 aircraft and we had 63 lessees located in 36 countries. At September 30, 2010, the average age of the aircraft in our portfolio was 11.2 years and the average remaining lease term was 4.6 years, in each case weighted by net book value. Our revenues and income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $132.2 million and $8.7 million and $393.0 million and $49.6 million, respectively.
     Thus far in 2010, air traffic data has continued to demonstrate improvement relative to the depressed conditions experienced over the past two years. Passenger and cargo traffic demand increased by 8.3% and 25.1%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009, according to the International Air Transport Association. In fact, overall global passenger and air cargo traffic levels are now above pre-recession levels and recent load factors are very high by historical standards. We are encouraged by these trends and believe that passenger and cargo traffic will likely improve as the global economic recovery continues, and that demand for high-utility aircraft will strengthen as a result. However, the market recovery is quite uneven with significant regional differences, and airlines based in areas with slower economic growth such as Europe remain more vulnerable. Nonetheless, on a longer-term basis, we believe the market will be driven to a large extent by expansion in bigger emerging markets and rising levels of per capita air travel.
     While current market conditions have improved compared to the conditions prevailing over the past two years, there continues to be a low volume of ‘aircraft trading activity’ in the purchase and sale of used aircraft due to limited availability of capital for this segment of the market, particularly debt from traditional aerospace bank lenders. We believe the cyclical recovery combined with persisting financial market dislocations offer attractive new investment opportunities. We plan to grow our business and profits both over the near term and long term by continuing to employ our fundamental business strategy which includes:
  (1)   Selectively investing in additional commercial jet aircraft and other aviation assets when attractively priced opportunities and cost effective financing are available;
  (2)   Maintaining an efficient capital structure by using varying long-term debt structures to obtain cost effective financing and leveraging the efficient operating platform and strong track record we have established; and
  (3)   Reinvesting a portion of the cash flows generated by our business and from selective asset dispositions in additional aviation assets and/or our own debt and equity securities.
     We believe our team’s capabilities in the global leasing market for both passenger and cargo aircraft place us in a favorable position to explore new income-generating activities as capital becomes available for such activities. Towards this end, we have 9 aircraft scheduled for delivery from Q4 2010 through mid-2012 under our Airbus A330 Agreement. In addition, we recently raised approximately $290 million of net proceeds in the unsecured bond market and after paying off our Term Financing No. 2 and associated costs, have approximately $200 million of investment capital with which we have made investments and investment commitments since the end of the third quarter.
     We intend to continue to focus our efforts on investment opportunities that are attractive on an unleveraged basis, that tap commercial financing capacity where it is accessible on reasonable terms or for which debt financing that benefits from government guarantees either from the European Export Credit Agencies, or ECAs, or from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, or EXIM, is available. In any case, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access capital on a cost-effective basis, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
     We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to our shareholders. On March 12, 2010, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share, or an aggregate of $8.0 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2010, which was paid on April 15, 2010 to holders of record on March 31, 2010. On May 25, 2010, our board of directors declared a second quarter dividend of $0.10 per common share, or an aggregate of $7.9 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2010, which was paid on July 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on June 30, 2010. On September 21, 2010, our board of directors declared a third quarter dividend of $0.10 per common share, or an aggregate of $7.9 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, which was paid on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2010. This dividend may not be indicative of the amount of any future dividends.

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Revenues
     Our revenues are comprised primarily of operating lease rentals on flight equipment held for lease. In addition, we recognize revenue from retained maintenance payments related to lease expirations and lease termination payments.
     Typically, our aircraft are subject to net operating leases whereby the lessee pays lease rentals and is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs, although in a majority of cases, we are obligated to pay a portion of specified maintenance or modification costs. Our aircraft lease agreements generally provide for the periodic payment of a fixed amount of rent over the life of the lease and the amount of the contracted rent will depend upon the type, age, specification and condition of the aircraft and market conditions at the time the lease is committed. The amount of rent we receive will depend on a number of factors, including the credit-worthiness of our lessees and the occurrence of delinquencies, restructurings and defaults. Our lease rental revenues are also affected by the extent to which aircraft are off-lease and our ability to remarket aircraft that are nearing the end of their leases in order to minimize their off-lease time. Our success in re-leasing aircraft is affected by market conditions relating to our aircraft and by general industry conditions and trends. An increase in the percentage of off-lease aircraft or a reduction in lease rates upon remarketing would negatively impact our revenues.
     Under an operating lease, the lessee will be responsible for performing maintenance on the relevant aircraft and will typically be required to make payments to us for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components of the aircraft. These maintenance payments are based on hours or cycles of utilization or on calendar time, depending upon the component, and would be made either monthly in arrears or at the end of the lease term. For maintenance payments made monthly in arrears during a lease term, we will typically be required to reimburse all or a portion of these payments to the lessee upon 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.
2010 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
    Scheduled lease expirations — placements. For our 19 aircraft originally having lease expirations in 2010, we have executed lease renewals, or commitments to lease or renew, with respect to 16 aircraft, we have sold two aircraft and we are actively remarketing the remaining one aircraft. We estimate that for these 19 aircraft, excluding the two we sold, the weighted average lease term for the new leases or renewals will be approximately 3.5 years with monthly lease rates that are approximately 30% to 35% percent lower than the previous rentals. The drop in lease rates for these placements reflects more challenging market conditions when these new leases or renewals were executed, as well as a comparatively stronger lease placement environment, on average, when the previous leases were put in place. Given more challenging market conditions, we generally continue to seek shorter lease terms for placements so as to allow for the opportunity to benefit more quickly from possible market improvements.
    Aircraft acquisitions — placements. In the second quarter of 2010, we acquired one used Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft and immediately placed it on lease with a customer. We took delivery of two freighter-configured New A330 Aircraft, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter of 2010. Both aircraft are leased to an affiliate of the HNA Group, the parent company of Hainan Airlines. We acquired three used Airbus Model A330-200 passenger configuration aircraft in the third quarter of 2010 in a sale — leaseback transaction, and in the fourth quarter of 2010 we acquired three Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft which were on lease when we acquired them. We also have a commitment to acquire two Boeing Model 747-400 production freighter aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2010, and we have a commitment to lease one aircraft and a letter of intent to lease the other following our acquisition.

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2011 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
    Scheduled lease expirations — placements. We have 13 aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in 2011. We have executed lease renewals, or commitments to lease or renew, with respect to six of these aircraft, and a letter of intent to lease two of these aircraft, and we have a signed sale agreement to sell two aircraft. We are actively remarketing the remaining three aircraft. We are also remarketing a Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2010 with a scheduled lease expiration in 2011.
    Aircraft acquisitions — placements. We are scheduled to take delivery of seven of the New A330 Aircraft in 2011. We executed a lease agreement for one of the New A330 Aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2011 with an affiliate of the HNA Group, and we executed lease agreements for six of the New A330 Aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2011 with South African Airways (PTY) LTD, or SAA. We currently have no other commitments to acquire aircraft in 2011.
2012-2014 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
    Scheduled lease expirations — placements. Taking into account lease and sale commitments, as of September 30, 2010, we had the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the period 2012-2014:
    2012: 27 aircraft, representing 19% of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2010;
 
    2013: 26 aircraft, representing 12% of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2010; and
 
    2014: 22 aircraft, representing 15% of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2010.
      We also acquired two aircraft in October 2010 with scheduled lease expirations in 2013.
    Aircraft acquisitions — placements. We are scheduled to take delivery of one of the New A330 Aircraft in 2012 and we have signed a letter of intent to lease the aircraft. We currently have no other commitments to acquire aircraft in the period 2012-2014.
Operating Expenses
     Operating expenses are comprised of depreciation of flight equipment held for lease, interest expense, selling, general and administrative expenses, aircraft impairment charges and maintenance and other costs. Because our operating lease terms generally require the lessee to pay for operating, maintenance and insurance costs, our portion of maintenance and other costs relating to aircraft reflected in our statement of income has been nominal; however, to the extent our customers failed to pay operating, maintenance, insurance or transition costs, our portion of these expenses for unscheduled lease terminations reflected in our income statement increased significantly during 2009 and to a lesser extent in 2010 as compared to prior years.
Income Tax Provision
     We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 28, 2016, 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 and the United States.

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     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. We also 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. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
     On June 20, 2007, we entered into an acquisition agreement, which we refer to as the Airbus A330 Agreement, under which we agreed to acquire new A330 aircraft, which we refer to as the New A330 Aircraft, from Airbus S.A.S. During 2009, we acquired two New A330 Aircraft and in August 2010 we acquired one New A330 Aircraft. We currently have nine New A330 Aircraft remaining to be delivered, with one scheduled for delivery in 2010, seven in 2011 and one in 2012.
     During the second quarter of 2010, we acquired one off-lease Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft with cash on hand and immediately delivered the aircraft under a new lease to a new customer. During the third quarter of 2010, we acquired three used Airbus Model A330-200 passenger configuration aircraft from Sri Lankan airlines in a sale-leaseback transaction. Also, during the second and third quarters of 2010, we sold two Boeing 757-200 aircraft for which we had a previously signed sale agreement. These sales resulted in a combined pre-tax loss of $1.3 million which is included in other income (expense) on our consolidated statement of income.
     During the fourth quarter of 2010, we acquired three Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft which were on lease when we acquired them. We also have a commitment to acquire two Boeing Model 747-400 production freighter aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2010, and we have a commitment to lease one aircraft and a letter of intent to lease the other following our acquisition.
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the aircraft owned by us as of September 30, 2010:
AIRCASTLE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION (Dollars in millions)
         
    Owned  
    Aircraft as of  
    September 30, 2010(1)  
Flight Equipment Held for Lease
  $ 3,871  
Number of Aircraft
    132  
Latest Generation Aircraft (Percentage of Total Aircraft)
    89 %
Number of Lessees
    63  
Number of Countries
    36  
Weighted Average Age — Passenger (years)(2)
    11.3  
Weighted Average Age — Freighter (years)(2)
    10.2  
Weighted Average Age — Combined (years)(2)
    11.2  
Weighted Average Remaining Passenger Lease Term (years)(3)
    3.4  
Weighted Average Remaining Cargo Lease Term (years)(3)
    7.3  
Weighted Average Remaining Combined Lease Term (years)(3)
    4.6  
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization for the three months ended September 30, 2010(4)
    100 %
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization for the nine months ended September 30, 2010(4)
    98 %
 
(1)   Calculated using net book value as of September 30, 2010.
 
(2)   Weighted average age (years) by net book value.
 
(3)   Weighted average remaining lease term (years) by net book value.
 
(4)   Aircraft on-lease days as a percent of total days in period weighted by net book value, excluding aircraft in freighter conversion.

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PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
                 
    Owned Aircraft as of  
    September 30, 2010  
    Number of     % of Net  
    Aircraft     Book Value  
Aircraft Type
               
Passenger:
               
Narrowbody
    82       41 %
Midbody
    27       27 %
Widebody
    1       2 %
 
           
Total Passenger
    110       70 %
Freighter
    22       30 %
 
           
Total
    132       100 %
 
           
 
               
Manufacturer
               
Boeing
    85       61 %
Airbus
    47       39 %
 
           
Total
    132       100 %
 
           
 
               
Regional Diversification
               
Europe
    62       46 %
Asia
    33       23 %
North America
    14       11 %
Latin America
    11       9 %
Middle East and Africa
    11       11 %
Off-lease(1)
    1       %
 
           
Total
    132       100 %
 
           
 
(1)   Represents one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft which was returned to us when a customer ceased operations late in the third quarter of 2010. We are currently marketing this aircraft for sale or lease.
     Our largest customer represents less than 7% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2010. Our top 15 customers for aircraft we owned at September 30, 2010, representing 64 aircraft and 62% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease, are as follows:
             
            Number of
Percent of Net Book Value   Customer   Country   Aircraft
Greater than 6% per customer
  Emirates   United Arab Emirates   2
 
  Martinair(1)   Netherlands   5
 
           
3% to 6% per customer
  US Airways   USA   8
 
  SriLankan Airlines   Sri Lanka   5
 
  Avianca   Colombia   2
 
  China Eastern Airlines(2)   China   8
 
  HNA Group (3)   China   7
 
  Iberia Airlines   Spain   6
 
  GOL (4)   Brazil   6
 
  Airbridge Cargo(5)   Russia   1
 
  KLM (1)   Netherlands   1
 
  World Airways   USA   2
 
           
Less than 3% per customer
  Icelandair(6)   Iceland   5
 
  Korean Air   South Korea   2
 
  Cimber-Sterling   Denmark   4
 
(1)   Martinair is a wholly owned subsidiary of KLM. Although KLM does not guarantee Martinair’s obligations under the relevant lease, if combined, the two, together with another affiliated customer, represent 11% of flight equipment held for lease.
 
(2)   Includes the aircraft leased to Shanghai Airlines, which was recently acquired by China Eastern Airlines. China Eastern Airlines does not guarantee the obligations of the aircraft we lease to Shanghai Airlines.
 
(3)   Seven aircraft on lease to affiliates of the HNA Group, although the HNA Group does not guarantee the leases.
 
(4)   GOL has guaranteed the obligations of an affiliate, VRG Linhas Aereas, and accordingly, the two are shown combined in the above table.
 
(5)   Guaranteed by Volga-Dnepr.
 
(6)   Icelandair Group hf, the parent company of Icelandair, has guaranteed the obligations of an affiliate, SmartLynx, and accordingly, the two are shown combined in the above table.

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     Our owned aircraft portfolio as of September 30, 2010 is listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Approximately 89% of the total aircraft and 88% of the freighters we owned as of September 30, 2010, weighted by net book value, are what we consider to be the most current technology for the relevant airframe and engine type and airframe size, as listed under the headings “Latest Generation Narrowbody Aircraft,” “Latest Generation Midbody Aircraft,” “Latest Generation Widebody Aircraft” and “Latest Generation Widebody Freighter Aircraft” in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
     Of our owned aircraft portfolio as of September 30, 2010, $3.5 billion, representing 119 aircraft and 89% of the net book value of our aircraft, was encumbered by secured debt financings, and $0.4 billion, representing 13 aircraft and 11% of the net book value of our aircraft, was unencumbered by secured debt financings.
Finance
     Our debt financing arrangements are typically secured by aircraft and related operating leases, and in the case of our securitizations and pooled aircraft term financings, the financing parties have limited recourse to Aircastle Limited. While such financing has historically been available on reasonable terms given the loan to value profile we have pursued, current market conditions continue to limit the availability of both debt and equity capital. Though financing market conditions have recovered recently and we expect them to continue to improve in time, current market conditions remain difficult, and we are presently taking a cautious approach to incremental financing and with respect to refinancing risk, which may constrain our ability to undertake new transactions. During the near term, we intend to focus our efforts on investment opportunities that are attractive on an unleveraged basis, that tap commercial financial capacity where it is accessible on reasonable terms or for which debt financing that benefits from government guarantees either from the ECAs or from EXIM is available.
     To the extent that we acquire additional aircraft, we intend to fund such investments through medium to longer-term financings and cash on hand. We may repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with the net proceeds from subsequent long-term debt financings, additional equity offerings or cash generated from operations. 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.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our lease rental revenues increased 4% and 2%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily related to our acquisition of aircraft in 2010. As of September 30, 2010, our monthly contracted lease rental run rate increased 6% as compared to September 30, 2009, reflecting the acquisition of additional aircraft over that period of time.
     For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our maintenance revenue decreased 92% and 69%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2009, primarily due to the unusually high level of maintenance revenue totaling $31.4 million recorded in 2009. 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. As a result, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our net income decreased 74% and 43% as compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily due to the unusually high level of maintenance revenue that we recorded in 2009.
Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2009 to the three months ended September 30, 2010:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues:
               
Lease rental revenue
  $ 128,283     $ 133,486  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    (3,992 )     (4,203 )
Maintenance revenue
    31,376       2,540  
 
           
Total lease rentals
    155,667       131,823  
Interest income
    556        
Other revenue
    9,517       424  
 
           
Total revenues
    165,740       132,247  
 
           
 
               
Expenses:
               
Depreciation
    53,130       55,703  
Interest, net
    43,032       47,453  
Selling, general and administrative
    11,074       11,334  
Impairment of aircraft
    18,211       7,342  
Maintenance and other costs
    4,836       1,192  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    130,283       123,024  
 
           
 
               
Other income (expense):
               
Gain (loss) on sale of aircraft
    162        
Other income (expense)
    (738 )     (501 )
 
           
Total other income (expense)
    (576 )     (501 )
 
           
 
               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    34,881       8,722  
Income tax provision
    1,423       153  
 
           
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569  
 
           
Revenues:
     Total revenues decreased by 20.2% or $33.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of the following:
     Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily the result of an increase of:
    $6.4 million of additional revenue from the six aircraft we purchased since September 30, 2009.

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     We also sold two aircraft in the period since September 30, 2009, resulting in $1.4 million less lease rental revenue, partially offsetting the above increase.
     Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Amortization of lease discounts
  $ 1,386     $ 596  
Amortization of lease premiums
    (441 )     (76 )
Amortization of lease incentives
    (4,937 )     (4,723 )
 
           
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
  $ (3,992 )   $ (4,203 )
 
           
     As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, lease discounts and lease premiums represent the difference between the contracted lease rentals and the estimated fair value of attached leases from acquired aircraft which amortize over the life of the related lease. As these related leases expire, the associated lease discount or lease premium amortization ceases. The decrease in amortization of lease discounts and lease premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 is due to scheduled lease expirations of previously acquired leases, lease extensions and early lease transitions.
     As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, 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 increase and conversely if a related lease terminates, the related unused lease incentive liability will be reversed and reduce the amount of lease incentive expense. The decrease in amortization of lease incentives of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 resulted from a $0.9 million lease incentive liability reversed as a reduction to lease incentives from an early terminated lease, which was partially offset by an increase in amortization of lease incentives for aircraft we transitioned to new lessees.
     Maintenance revenue.
                             
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    Dollars
(in thousands)
  Number of
Leases
    Dollars
(in thousands)
  Number of
Leases
 
Unscheduled lease terminations
  $ 21,647     5     $ 2,457     1  
Scheduled lease terminations
    9,729     3       83      
 
                   
Maintenance revenue
  $ 31,376     8     $ 2,540     1  
 
                   
     Unscheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an unusually high level of maintenance revenue in the amount of $21.6 million from unscheduled lease terminations associated with five aircraft returned to us in the third quarter and four aircraft returned to us in the first and second quarters. Comparatively, for the same period in 2010, we recorded $1.8 million of maintenance revenue primarily from an unscheduled lease termination of one aircraft. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charges for certain aircraft.
     Scheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an unusually high level of maintenance revenue in the amount of $9.7 million from three scheduled lease terminations in the third quarter and four scheduled lease terminations in the first and second quarters. Comparatively, for the same period in 2010, we recorded $0.1 million associated with maintenance revenue from one leased engine as we had no scheduled lease terminations during the period. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for certain aircraft.
     Interest income. The decrease in interest income of $0.6 million was due to the sale of our debt investments in the third and fourth quarters of 2009 and, as a result, there was no comparable interest income in the third quarter of 2010.

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     Other revenue was $9.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009, which was primarily due to additional fees paid by lessees in connection with the early termination of six leases, and we did not receive any similar fees from early lease terminations in the three months ended September 30, 2010. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for certain aircraft.
Operating Expenses:
     Total operating expenses decreased by 5.6% or $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily as a result of the following:
     Depreciation expense increased by $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 over the same period in 2009. The net increase is primarily the result of:
    a $1.7 million increase in depreciation for capitalized aircraft improvements and planned major maintenance activities; and
 
    a $2.0 million increase in depreciation for new aircraft acquired in late 2009 and in 2010.
     These increases were offset partially by:
    a $1.0 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sold.
     Interest, net consisted of the following:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
  $ 36,779     $ 40,144  
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses
    457       764  
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
    3,136       2,338  
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
    3,077       5,734  
 
           
Interest Expense
    43,449       48,980  
Less interest income
    (57 )     (207 )
Less capitalized interest
    (360 )     (1,320 )
 
           
Interest, net
  $ 43,032     $ 47,453  
 
           
     Interest, net increased by $4.4 million, or 10.3%, over the three months ended September 30, 2009. The net increase is primarily a result of:
    a $3.4 million increase in interest on borrowings primarily due to a higher weighted average debt balance ($2.60 billion in the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $2.46 billion in the three months ended September 30, 2009); and
 
    a $2.5 million increase in deferred financing fees primarily from the accelerated write-off of deferred financings fees triggered by the prepayment of Term Financing No. 2 and the A330 SLB facility.
     Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 remained flat over the same period in 2009. Non-cash share based expense was $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
     Impairment of aircraft was $18.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2009, which related to two Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and two Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these four aircraft.
     Impairment of aircraft was $7.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, which related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these two aircraft.

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     Maintenance and other costs were $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of $3.6 million over the same period in 2009. The net decrease is primarily a result of a decrease in aircraft maintenance and other transitions costs relating to unscheduled and scheduled lease terminations in 2009.
Income Tax Provision
     Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 was $1.4 million and $0.2 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 and the United States. The decrease in our income tax provision of approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was attributable to a decrease in operating income subject to tax in the U.S. and Ireland.
     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. We also 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. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.
     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 2016. 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  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569  
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $135 and $52, respectively
    (15,696 )     (7,716 )
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
    5,894       2,338  
Net change in unrealized fair value of debt investments
    1,836        
 
           
Total comprehensive income
  $ 25,492     $ 3,191  
 
           
     Other comprehensive income was $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of $22.3 million from the $25.5 million of other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in other comprehensive income is primarily a result of:
    a $8.0 million decrease in deferred losses resulting from changes in the fair value of outstanding interest rate derivatives qualifying for and designated as cash flow hedges due primarily to a sharper decrease in the forward LIBOR curve at September 30, 2009 versus June 30, 2009 as compared to the decrease in the forward LIBOR curve at September 30, 2010 versus June 30, 2010;
 
    a $3.6 million decrease in amortization into earnings of deferred net losses primarily due to additional accelerated amortization from terminated interest rate derivatives in the third quarter of 2009 versus the third quarter of 2010; and
 
    a $24.9 million decrease in net income.

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Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to the nine months ended September 30, 2010:
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues:
               
Lease rental revenue
  $ 383,683     $ 391,741  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    (7,919 )     (13,957 )
Maintenance revenue
    47,616       14,630  
 
           
Total lease rentals
    423,380       392,414  
Interest income
    1,783        
Other revenue
    9,628       578  
 
           
Total revenues
    434,791       392,992  
 
           
 
               
Expenses:
               
Depreciation
    156,379       164,272  
Interest, net
    127,925       128,578  
Selling, general and administrative
    33,291       34,043  
Impairment of aircraft
    18,211       7,342  
Maintenance and other costs
    15,114       6,829  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    350,920       341,064  
 
           
 
               
Other income (expense):
               
Gain (loss) on sale of aircraft
    162       (1,291 )
Other income (expense)
    855       (1,047 )
 
           
Total other income (expense)
    1,017       (2,338 )
 
           
 
               
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    84,888       49,590  
Income tax provision
    5,388       4,003  
 
           
Net income
  $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
 
           
Revenues:
     Total revenues decreased by 9.6% or $41.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of the following:
     Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $8.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily the result of $15.4 million of revenue from two new aircraft purchased in 2009 and four used aircraft and one new aircraft purchased in 2010.
     This increase was offset partially by a decrease in revenue of:
    $5.8 million of revenue due to three aircraft sold during 2009 and two aircraft sold in 2010; and
 
    $1.5 million of revenue due to lease extensions and transitions at lower rentals.
     Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives.
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Amortization of lease discounts
  $ 5,505     $ 1,851  
Amortization of lease premiums
    (1,766 )     (290 )
Amortization of lease incentives
    (11,658 )     (15,518 )
 
           
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
  $ (7,919 )   $ (13,957 )
 
           
     The decrease in amortization of lease discounts and lease premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 is due to scheduled lease expirations of previously acquired leases, lease extensions and early lease transitions.
     As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, lease incentives represent our estimated portion of the lessee’s cost for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of

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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 increase 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 $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 results from an increase in amortization of net lease incentives for 13 aircraft transitions and extensions during 2010 and the full year impact for 15 aircraft transitions during 2009.
     Maintenance revenue.
                             
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    Dollars
(in thousands)
  Number of
Leases
    Dollars
(in thousands)
  Number of
Leases
 
Unscheduled lease terminations
  $ 29,303     9     $ 3,039     1  
Scheduled lease terminations
    18,313     7       11,591     3  
 
                   
Maintenance revenue
  $ 47,616     16     $ 14,630     4  
 
                   
     Unscheduled lease terminations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an unusually high level of maintenance revenue in the amount of $29.3 million from unscheduled lease terminations associated with nine aircraft. Comparatively, for the same period in 2010, we recorded maintenance revenue totaling $1.8 million from unscheduled lease terminations primarily associated with one aircraft returned in 2010. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charges for certain aircraft.
     Scheduled lease terminations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded maintenance revenue from scheduled lease terminations totaling $18.3 million associated with seven aircraft. Comparatively, for the same period in 2010, we recorded $11.6 million, primarily associated with maintenance revenue from three scheduled lease terminations. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for certain aircraft.
     Interest income. The decrease in interest income of $1.8 million was due to the sale of our debt investments in the third and fourth quarters of 2009 and, as a result, there was no comparable interest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
     Other revenue was $9.6 million during the nine months ended September 2009, which was primarily due to additional fees paid by lessees in connection with the early termination of six leases, and we did not receive any similar fees from early lease terminations in the three months ended September 30, 2010. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for certain aircraft.
Operating Expenses:
     Total operating expenses decreased by 2.8% or $9.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily as a result of the following:
     Depreciation expense increased by $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the same period in 2009. The net increase is primarily the result of:
    a $7.8 million increase in depreciation for capitalized aircraft improvements and planned major maintenance activities; and
 
    a $3.5 million increase in depreciation for new aircraft acquired in late 2009 and in 2010.
     These increases were offset partially by:
    a $3.3 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sold.

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    Interest, net consisted of the following:
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities
  $ 110,191     $ 111,090  
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses
    (116 )     2,533  
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses
    10,932       6,412  
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount
    8,808       11,494  
 
           
Interest Expense
    129,815       131,529  
Less interest income
    (914 )     (247 )
Less capitalized interest
    (976 )     (2,704 )
 
           
Interest, net
  $ 127,925     $ 128,578  
 
           
     Interest, net increased by $0.7 million, or 0.5%, over the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The net increase is primarily a result of:
    a $0.9 million increase in interest expense on our borrowings primarily due to a higher weighted average debt balance ($2.48 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $2.46 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2009); and
 
    a $2.5 million increase in deferred financing fees primarily from the accelerated write-off of deferred financing fees triggered by prepayment of Term Financing No. 2 and the A330 SLB facility.
     These increases were offset partially by
    a $4.5 million decrease in amortization of deferred losses on interest rate derivatives primarily due to a decrease related to accelerated amortization of deferred losses from terminated interest rate derivatives for borrowings that we no longer anticipate utilizing (i.e., that are no longer probable of occurring) as a result of a lower forecasted debt on our hedged financings.
     Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 remained flat over the same period in 2009. Non-cash share based expense was $5.1 million and $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
     Impairment of aircraft was $18.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, which related to two Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and two Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these four aircraft.
     Impairment of aircraft was $7.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft. See Summary of Impairments below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these two aircraft.
     Maintenance and other costs were $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of $8.3 million over the same period in 2009. The net decrease is primarily a result of:
    a $4.8 million decrease in aircraft maintenance and other transitions costs primarily relating to unscheduled lease terminations for aircraft returned to us in the fourth quarter of 2008; and
 
    a $1.2 million decrease in aircraft maintenance and other transitions costs relating to unscheduled and scheduled lease terminations in 2009.
Other income (expense):
     Total other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $2.3 million as compared to $1.0 million of income for the same period in 2009. The change is primarily a result of $1.5 million lower mark-to-market adjustments

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on our undesignated interest rate derivatives, and a $1.3 million loss on the sale of an aircraft in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to a gain of $0.2 million on the sale of three aircraft in the third quarter of 2009.
Income Tax Provision
     Our provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 was $5.4 million and $4.0 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 and the United States. The decrease in our income tax provision of approximately $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was attributable to a decrease in operating income subject to tax in the U.S. and Ireland, partially offset by an increase in tax expense related to the vesting of stock awards.
     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. We also 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. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.
     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 2016. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.
Other comprehensive income:
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income
  $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $1,068 and tax benefit of $332, respectively
    63,596       (37,541 )
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings
    13,690       6,412  
Net change in unrealized fair value of debt investments
    1,698        
 
           
Total comprehensive income
  $ 158,484     $ 14,458  
 
           
     Other comprehensive income was $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of $144.0 million from the $158.5 million of other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in other comprehensive income is primarily a result of:
    a $101.1 million increase in deferred losses resulting from changes in the fair value of outstanding interest rate derivatives qualifying for and designated as cash flow hedges due primarily to an increase in the forward LIBOR curve at September 30, 2009 versus December 31, 2008 compared to a decrease in the forward LIBOR curve at September 30, 2010 versus December 31, 2009;
 
    a $7.3 million decrease in amortization into earnings of deferred net losses primarily due to additional accelerated amortization from terminated interest rate derivatives in the first nine months of 2009 versus the first nine months of 2010; and
 
    a $33.9 million decrease in net income.
     The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense over the next 12 months consists of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives in the amount of $91.6 million and the amortization of deferred net losses from terminated interest rate derivatives in the amount of

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$13.3 million. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources ¯ Hedging” below for more information on deferred net losses as related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Summary of Impairments
     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized an impairment of $18,211 related to two Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and two Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft, which was triggered by the early termination of the related leases and the resulting change to estimated future cash flows. The Company received $18,176, of which $8,382 represented lease termination payments and $9,794 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessees of these aircraft. These lease termination payments were recorded as other revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $7,342 related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft, which was triggered by the early termination of one of related leases, a signed forward sales agreement the other aircraft and the resulting change to estimated future cash flows. The Company recorded $4,396 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessees at the end of that lease of the aircraft that is subject to a forward sales agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $1,765 related to maintenance revenue from the lessee of one of these aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2010.
     As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, we perform a recoverability assessment of all aircraft in our fleet, on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis, at least annually. We performed this recoverability assessment during the third quarter of 2010. Other than the aircraft discussed above, Management believes that the net book value of each aircraft is currently supported by the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by each aircraft, and as such, these aircraft are not impaired at September 30, 2010.
     In monitoring the aircraft in our fleet for impairment charges, we identify those aircraft that are most susceptible to failing the recoverability assessment and monitor those aircraft more closely, which may result in more frequent recoverability assessments. The recoverability in the value of these aircraft is more sensitive to changes in contractual cash flows, future cash flow estimates and residual values or scrap values for each aircraft. These are typically older aircraft for which lessee demand is declining. As of September 30, 2010, we had identified ten aircraft as being susceptible to failing the recoverability test. These aircraft had a combined net book value of $197.0 million at September 30, 2010.

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
     Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17 (“ASU 2009-17”), Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities, which requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest, or interests, give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The determination of whether a reporting entity is required to consolidate another entity is based on, among other things, the other entity’s purpose and design and the reporting entity’s ability to direct the activities of the other entity that most significantly impact the other entity’s economic performance. This ASU amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity and requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. ASU 2009-17 requires a reporting entity to provide additional disclosures about its involvement with variable interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. The adoption of ASU 2009-17 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which requires new disclosures (1) to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers , and (2) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), to present separately information about purchases, sales issuances, and settlements on a gross basis rather than as one net number. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward to activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
     Our primary sources of liquidity currently are cash on hand, cash generated by our aircraft leasing operations and loans secured by new 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 rental revenue and maintenance revenue. These sources have historically provided liquidity for these investments and for other uses, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders. In the past, we have also met our liquidity and capital resource needs by utilizing several sources, including:
    lines of credit, our securitizations, term financings and, more recently, secured borrowings supported by export credit agencies for new aircraft acquisitions;
 
    unsecured borrowings, including an unsecured revolving credit facility;
 
    public offerings of common shares; and
 
    asset sales.
Going forward, we expect to continue to seek liquidity from these sources subject to pricing and conditions that we consider satisfactory.
     While the financing structures for our securitizations and certain of our term financings include liquidity facilities, these liquidity facilities are primarily designed to provide short-term liquidity to enable the financing vehicles to remain current on principal and interest payments during periods when the relevant entities incur substantial unanticipated expenditures. Because these facilities have priority in the payment waterfall and therefore must be repaid quickly, and because we do not anticipate being required to draw on these facilities to cover operating expenses, we do not view these liquidity facilities as an important source of liquidity for us.

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     In June 2010, we closed a $108.5 million pre-delivery payment financing loan facility from SMBC with respect to six new Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft scheduled for delivery on long-term leases to SAA during 2011. As of September 30, 2010, we had drawn down $82.8 million under this facility.
     In July 2010, Aircastle Limited closed an offering of 9.75% senior unsecured notes due in 2018, in an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million. The notes were issued at 98.645% of par and were offered only to qualified institutional buyers and buyers outside the United States in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S, respectively, under the Securities Act of 1933. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the private placement to repay $25 million drawn under a credit facility used in connection with the purchase of the first A330 SLB Aircraft and used the remaining net proceeds to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 2 and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets. On September 24, 2010, the 2010-1 Notes were registered by the Company with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and in October 2010 we completed the exchange of all outstanding unregistered 2010-1 Notes. The registered notes have terms that are substantially identical to the privately placed notes.
     In September 2010, we entered into a $50.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. which has a three-year term. As of September 30, 2010, we had not drawn down on this facility.
     In addition, in July 2010, we secured new financing commitments which will benefit from an ECA guarantee provided by Compagnie Francaise d’Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, or COFACE, as follows:
    Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) committed $250.0 million in debt to finance the first three New A330 Aircraft; and
 
    Citibank, N.A. committed approximately $221.0 million to finance the three New A330 Aircraft of which we borrowed $69.0 for the delivery of one New A330 Aircraft.
 
    The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (BOTM) committed approximately $227.0 million, to finance the three New A330 Aircraft of which we borrowed $69.3 million for the delivery of one New A330 Aircraft in November 2010.
     During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we funded $107.0 million of pre-delivery payments (including buyer furnished equipment) on our New A330 Aircraft. As described above, we also drew down $82.8 million under the pre-delivery payment financing loan to refinance certain pre-delivery payments made to Airbus.
     Under the terms of Securitization No. 1, if we do not refinance this facility by June 15, 2011, all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization after that date. Assuming we do not refinance this facility by June 15, 2011, we expect that debt amortization payments over the next twelve months will be approximately $43.3 million dollars compared to $26.2 million over the 12 months ended September 30, 2010.
     For the remainder of 2010, we expect to fund approximately $87.9 million of total payments for our New A330 Aircraft, comprising both pre-delivery and delivery payments to Airbus S.A.S. and buyer furnished equipment suppliers. We expect that these payments for our eight scheduled aircraft deliveries through the end of 2011, one in the fourth quarter of 2010 and seven throughout 2011 will be substantially covered by borrowings available under our A300 PDP Facility, together with financing commitments from Citibank, N.A., BOTM and SMBC.
     In addition, as of September 30, 2010, we expect capital expenditures and lessee maintenance payment draws on our aircraft portfolio during 2010 to be approximately $120.0 million to $130.0 million, excluding purchase obligation

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payments, and we expect maintenance collections from lessees on our owned aircraft portfolio to be approximately equal to the expected expenditures and draws over the next twelve months. There can be no assurance that the capital expenditures, our contributions to maintenance events and lessee maintenance payment draws described above will not be greater than expected or that our expected maintenance payment collections or disbursements will equal our current estimates.
     We believe that cash on hand, funds generated from operations, maintenance payments received from lessees, proceeds from contracted aircraft sales and funds we expect to borrow upon delivery of the New A330 Aircraft we acquire in future periods, including borrowings under export credit agency-supported loan facilities, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource needs over the next twelve months. Our liquidity and capital resource needs include pre-delivery payments under the Airbus A330 Agreement, payments for buyer furnished equipment, payments due at delivery of the New A330 Aircraft, payments due under our other aircraft purchase commitments, required principal payments under our long-term debt facilities, as well as repayments under our A330 PDP Facility, expected capital expenditures, lessee maintenance payment draws and lease incentive payments over the next twelve months.
Cash Flows
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,  
    2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
  $ 206,049     $ 268,717  
Net cash flow used in investing activities
    (146,265 )     (320,635 )
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities
    (8,323 )     220,133  
  Operating Activities:
     Cash flow from operations was $206.0 million and $268.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The increase in cash flow from operations of approximately $62.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the same period in 2009 was primarily a result of:
    a net $53.0 million increase in cash from the release of restricted cash from returned security deposits, the payment of expenses which was offset by the receipt of maintenance payments;
 
    a $14.0 million increase in cash from working capital; and
 
    a $5.6 million increase in cash from a decrease in cash payments for interest.
     This increase was offset partially by:
    $11.8 million lower cash from end of lease maintenance revenue.
  Investing Activities:
     Cash used in investing activities was $146.3 million and $320.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The increase in cash flow used in investing activities of $174.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the same period in 2009, was primarily a result of:
    a $106.4 million increase in the acquisition and improvement of flight equipment; and
 
    a $83.1 million increase in purchase deposits under our Airbus A330 Agreement and aircraft undergoing freighter conversion; and
 
    $9.2 million lower proceeds from the sale of and principal payments on our debt investments, as we had sold all of our debt investments by the end of 2009.

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    This increase was offset partially by:
 
    $24.2 million higher proceeds from the sale of flight equipment.
  Financing Activities:
     Net cash used in financing activities was $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $220.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The net increase in cash flow provided by financing activities of $228.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the same period in 2009 was a result of:
    $401.8 million higher proceeds from term debt financings; and
 
    $14.9 million of higher maintenance payments received net of maintenance payments returned.
 
    The inflows were offset partially by:
 
    $145.8 million of higher financing repayments on our securitizations and term debt financings; and
 
    $31.6 million of lower security deposits received net of deposits returned; and
 
    an $8.4 million increase in deferred financing costs.
Debt Obligations
     The following table provides a summary of our secured and unsecured debt financings at September 30, 2010:
                                     
        Outstanding     Number of     Interest     Final  
Debt Obligation   Collateral   Borrowing     Aircraft     Rate(1)     Stated Maturity(2)  
        (Dollars in thousands)                          
Secured Debt Financings:
                                   
Securitization No. 1
  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests   $ 420,444       33       0.53 %     6/20/31  
 
                                   
Securitization No. 2
  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests     1,012,961       55       0.52 %     6/14/37  
 
                                   
Term Financing No. 1
  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests     666,120       28       2.01 %     5/02/15  
 
                                   
ECA Term Financings
  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft leasing entities and related interests     201,585       3     2.65% to 4.48%   5/27/21 to 8/31/22
 
                                   
A330 PDP Facility
  Interests in Airbus A330 Agreement and aircraft leases     82,778       6       2.76 %     12/1/11 (3)
 
                                 
 
                                   
Total secured debt financings
        2,383,888                          
 
                                 
 
                                   
Unsecured Debt Financings:
                                   
Senior Notes due 2018
  None     296,021             9.75 %     8/01/18  
 
                                 
 
                                   
2010 Revolving Credit Facility
  None                 N/A       9/28/13  
 
                                 
Total unsecured debt financings
        296,021                          
 
                                 
 
                                   
Total secured and unsecured debt financings
      $ 2,679,909                          
 
                                 
 
(1)   Reflects floating rate in effect at the most recent applicable reset date, except for the ECA Term Financings which are fixed rate.
 
(2)   For Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization, if the debt is not refinanced by June 2011, June 2012, and May 2013, respectively.
 
(3)   Reflects the last scheduled delivery month for the six relevant new Airbus A330-200 delivery positions. The final maturity date is the earlier of the aircraft delivery date or nine months after the scheduled delivery month for the last scheduled delivery position.

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     The following securitizations and term debt financing structures include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:
                                     
        Available Liquidity              
        December 31,     September 30,     Unused     Interest Rate  
Facility   Liquidity Facility Provider   2009     2010     Fee     on any Advances  
        (Dollars in thousands)                  
Securitization No. 1
  Calyon   $ 42,000     $ 42,000       0.45 %   1M Libor + 1.00%
Securitization No. 2
  HSH Nordbank AG(1)     79,617       75,972       0.50 %   1M Libor + 0.75%
Term Financing No. 1
  Calyon     14,174       13,322       0.60 %   1M Libor + 1.20%
 
(1)   Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider in May 2009, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
Secured Debt Financings:
  Term Financing No. 1
     A maintenance-adjusted appraisal of Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio must be completed each year before a date in early May by a specified appraiser. To determine the maintenance-adjusted values, the appraiser applies upward or downward, adjustments of “half-life” current market values for the aircraft in the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio based upon the maintenance status of the airframe, engines, landing gear and auxiliary power unit (“APU”), and applies certain other upward or downward adjustments for equipment, capabilities and utilization. Compliance with the loan to value ratio is measured each month by comparing the 75% minimum ratio against the most recently completed maintenance-adjusted appraised value, less 0.5% for each month since such appraisal was provided to the lenders, plus 75% of the cash maintenance reserve balance held on deposit for the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio. Noncompliance with the loan to value ratio will require us to make supplemental principal payments but will not by itself result in a default under Term Financing No. 1.
     In March 2010, we completed the maintenance-adjusted appraisal for the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio and determined that our loan to value ratio on the April 2010 payment date was approximately 78%. During the second quarter of 2010, we made supplemental principal payments of $11.5 million. In June 2010, we amended the loan documents for Term Financing No. 1 so that 75% of the stated amount of qualifying letters of credit held for maintenance events would be taken into account in the loan to value test. Based on this amendment and the supplemental principal payments previously made, we were in compliance with the loan to value ratio as of October 12, 2010.
  Term Financing No. 2
     The outstanding principal balance of Term Financing No. 2 in the amount of $103.2 million, plus accrued interest, loan breakage fees, interest rate derivative breakage fees of $3.6 million, and accrued interest on the terminated interest rate derivative, was repaid in full, and no further amounts may be drawn thereunder, from the proceeds of the 2010-1 Notes on August 12, 2010. During the third quarter of 2010, we wrote-off $1.9 million of deferred financing fees, which is reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of income.

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  ECA Term Financings
     In August 2010, we entered into a twelve-year $69.0 million term loan with Citibank N.A. which is supported by a guarantee from Compagnie Francaise d’Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, or COFACE, the French government sponsored export credit agency, or ECA, for the financing of a new Airbus Model A330-200F freighter aircraft. The borrowing under this financing bears a fixed rate of interest equal to 2.645%. We refer to these COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings”.
     The obligations outstanding under the ECA Term Financings are secured by, among other things, a mortgage over the aircraft and a pledge of our ownership interest in our subsidiary company that leases the aircraft to the operator. The ECA Term Financings documents contain a $500.0 million minimum net worth covenant for Aircastle Limited, as well as a material adverse change default, a cross default to any other recourse obligation of Aircastle Limited, and other terms and conditions customary for ECA-supported financings being completed at this time. In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the ECA Term Financings.
  A330 PDP Facility
     In June 2010, one of our subsidiaries entered into a $108.5 million loan facility to finance a portion of the pre-delivery payments (“PDP”) on six new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft to be acquired under the Airbus A330 acquisition agreement (the “Airbus A330 Agreement”). We refer to this loan facility as the “A330 PDP Facility”. The loans are secured by, among other things, an assignment of certain rights under the Airbus A330 Agreement and an assignment of the lease agreement for each aircraft and are guaranteed by Aircastle Limited.
     Loans under the A330 PDP Facility bear interest on a floating rate basis of one-month Libor plus 2.50% per annum and are payable monthly in arrears following the initial drawdown on the outstanding balance of the facility. The loans are subject to a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears, on the undrawn portion of the facility. The facility may be prepaid without penalty, subject to certain customary conditions. Each loan is payable in full on the delivery date of the relevant aircraft. There are no financial covenants associated with this facility.
  A330 SLB Facility
     In July 2010, one of our subsidiaries entered into a $75.0 million secured credit facility, which we refer to as the “A330 SLB Facility,” with Citicorp North America Inc., to finance the acquisition of three used Airbus Model A330-200 passenger configuration aircraft during the third quarter of 2010 from Sri Lankan Airlines in a sale-leaseback transaction. On July 26, 2010, the first of the three A330 SLB Aircraft transactions closed and we borrowed $25.0 million under the facility. The outstanding balance in the amount of $25.0 million plus accrued interest was repaid in full from the proceeds of the 2010-1 Notes on August 3, 2010, and no further amounts may be drawn thereunder. During the third quarter of 2010, we wrote-off $0.6 million of deferred financing fees which is reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of income.
Unsecured Debt Financings:
  2010-1 Notes
     On July 30, 2010, Aircastle Limited issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes due 2018, which we refer to as the “2010-1 Notes”, pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2010, between Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The 2010-1 Notes were issued at 98.645% of par and were offered only to qualified institutional buyers and buyers outside the United States in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S, respectively, under the Securities Act of 1933. The 2010-1 Notes will mature on August 1, 2018 and bear interest at the rate of 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2011 to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.
     The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 2010-1 Notes at any time on or after August 1, 2014 at a premium decreasing ratably to zero, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to August 1, 2013 the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2010-1 Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.75%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Company undergoes a change

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of control, it must offer to repurchase the 2010-1 Notes at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2010-1 Notes are the Company’s unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt. The Senior Notes due 2018 are effectively junior in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing such debt, and to any existing and future liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 2010-1 Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries or any third party.
     We used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2010-1 Notes to repay all of the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 2 and our A330 SLB Facility and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets.
     On September 24, 2010, the 2010-1 Notes were registered by the Company with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission and in October 2010 we completed the exchange of all outstanding unregistered 2010-1 Notes. The registered notes have terms that are substantially identical to the privately placed notes.
  2010 Revolving Credit Facility
     On September 28, 2010, the Company entered into a three-year $50.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which we refer to as the “2010 Revolving Credit Facility”. The 2010 Revolving Credit Facility provides loans in amounts up to $50.0 million for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We have not drawn on the 2010 Revolving Credit Facility.
Contractual Obligations
     Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on variable rate liabilities, interest payments on interest rate derivatives, purchase obligations under the Airbus A330 Agreement, other aircraft acquisition agreements and rent payments pursuant to our office leases. Total contractual obligations increased from $3.69 billion at December 31, 2009 to approximately $4.06 billion at September 30, 2010 due primarily to:
    An increase in borrowings under our 2010-1 Notes and under our A330 PDP Facility.
 
  These increases were partially offset by:
 
    principal and interest payments made under our securitizations and term financings, including the prepayment of Term Financing No. 2 and the A330 SLB facility; and
 
    lower variable interest rates and payments made under our purchase obligations.

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     The following table presents our actual contractual obligations and their payment due dates as of September 30, 2010.
                                         
    Payments Due By Period as of September 30, 2010  
            Less than                     More than  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 year     1-3 years     3-5 years     5 years  
            (Dollars in thousands)          
Principal payments:
                                       
2010-1 Notes(1)
  $ 300,000     $     $     $     $ 300,000  
Securitization No. 1(2)
    420,444       43,261       177,354       189,648       10,181  
Securitization No. 2(3)
    1,012,961       42,964       262,194       354,367       353,436  
Term Financing No. 1(4)
    666,120       61,657       109,168       495,295        
ECA Term Financings(5)
    201,585       14,608       30,918       33,358       122,701  
A330 PDP Facility(6)
    82,778       82,778                    
 
                             
Total principal payments
    2,683,888       245,268       579,634       1,072,668       786,318  
 
                             
 
                                       
Interest payments:
                                       
Interest payments on debt obligations(7)
    361,733       59,515       107,528       89,994       104,696  
Interest payments on interest rate derivatives(8)
    266,831       94,075       111,163       54,404       7,189  
 
                             
Total interest payments
    628,564       153,590       218,691       144,398       111,885  
 
                             
 
                                       
Office leases(9)
    3,160       1,115       1,537       370       138  
Purchase obligations
    746,271       627,225       119,046              
 
                             
Total
  $ 4,061,883     $ 1,027,198     $ 918,908     $ 1,217,436     $ 898,341  
 
                             
 
(1)   Includes scheduled balloon payment on August 1, 2018.
 
(2)   Includes principal payments based on amortization schedules through October 2015 that require the securitization cash flows be applied to the outstanding principal balance of the indebtedness so that the loan to assumed aircraft values are held constant through June 2011, after which all excess cash flow is required to reduce the principal balances of the indebtedness.
 
(3)   Includes principal payments based on amortization schedules through February 2018 that require the securitization cash flows be applied to the outstanding principal balance of the indebtedness so that the loan to assumed aircraft values are held constant through June 2012, after which all excess cash flow is required to reduce the principal balances of the indebtedness. The 1-3 years commitments include repayments of $7.3 million related to contracted sales for one aircraft in 2011.
 
(4)   Includes scheduled principal payments through May 2013, after which all excess cash flow is required to reduce the principal balances of the indebtedness until maturity in May 2015.
 
(5)   Includes scheduled principal payments based upon fixed rate, 12 year, fully amortizing loans.
 
(6)   Includes principal payments based upon the scheduled delivery of aircraft. The final maturity date is the earlier of the delivery date or nine months after the scheduled delivery date.
 
(7)   Future interest payments on variable rate, LIBOR-based debt obligations are estimated using the interest rate in effect at September 30, 2010.
 
(8)   Future interest payments on derivative financial instruments are estimated using the spread between the floating interest rates and the fixed interest rates in effect at September 30, 2010.
 
(9)   Represents contractual payment obligations for our office leases in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
Capital Expenditures
     We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with improvements made to our aircraft. These expenditures include the cost of major overhauls necessary to place an aircraft in service and modifications made at the request of lessees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we incurred a total of $43.2 million and $34.2 million, respectively, of capital expenditures (including lease incentives) related to the acquisition and improvement of aircraft.

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     As of September 30, 2010, the weighted average age (by net book value) of our aircraft was approximately 11.2 years. In general, the costs of operating an aircraft, including maintenance expenditures, increase with the age of the aircraft. Under our leases, the lessee is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft. We may incur additional maintenance and modification costs in the future in the event we are required to remarket an aircraft or a lessee fails to meet its maintenance obligations under the lease agreement. At September 30, 2010, we had a $299.5 million maintenance payment liability on our balance sheet. 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 did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2010.
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
     At September 30, 2010, 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 subsidiary in Ireland and branch office in Singapore. As of September 30, 2010, 12 of our 76 employees were based in Ireland and four employees were based in Singapore. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, expenses, such as payroll and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar aggregated approximately $5.7 million in U.S. dollar equivalents and represented approximately 16.8% of total selling, general and administrative expenses. Our international operations are a significant component of our business strategy and permit us to more effectively source new aircraft, service the aircraft we own and maintain contact with our lessees. Therefore, it is likely that our international operations and our exposure to foreign currency risk will increase over time. Although we have not yet entered into foreign currency hedges because our exposure to date has not been significant, if our foreign currency exposure increases we may enter into hedging transactions in the future to mitigate this risk. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we incurred insignificant net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.
Hedging
     The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.

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We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2010:
                                                                 
    Liability Derivatives  
                            Future                          
    Current                     Maximum                          
    Notional     Effective     Maturity     Notional     Floating     Fixed              
Hedged Item   Amount     Date     Date     Amount     Rate     Rate     Balance Sheet Location     Fair Value  
    (Dollars in thousands)          
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges :
                                                               
Securitization No. 1
  $ 433,368     Jun-06   Jun-16   $ 433,368     1M LIBOR + 0.27%     5.78 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities   $ 71,852  
Securitization No. 2
    1,004,723     Jun-07   Jun-12     1,004,723     1M LIBOR   5.25% to 5.36%   Fair value of derivative liabilities     78,797  
Term Financing No. 1(1)
    604,773     Jun-08   May-13     604,773     1M LIBOR     4.04 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities     44,824  
Term Financing No. 1(1)
        May-13   May-15     464,181     1M LIBOR     5.31 %   Fair value of derivative liabilities     21,616  
 
                                                       
Total interest rate derivatives
  $ 2,042,864                     $ 2,507,045                             $ 217,089  
 
                                                         
 
(1)   The interest payments related to Term Financing No. 1 are being hedged by two consecutive interest rate derivatives. When the first matures in May 2013, the next becomes effective.
     Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2010, our interest rate derivatives are held with the following counterparties: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Citibank Canada NA and HSH Nordbank AG. All of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of A3 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. All are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of A or above) by Standard and Poor’s except HSH Nordbank AG which is not rated. We do not anticipate that any of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
     In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2010, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $5.6 million related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges.
     Historically, the Company acquired its aircraft using short term credit facilities and equity. The short term credit facilities were refinanced by securitizations or term debt facilities secured by groups of aircraft. The Company completed two securitizations and two term financings during the period 2006 through 2008. The Company entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge interest payments on variable rate debt for acquired aircraft as well as aircraft that it expected to acquire within certain future periods. In conjunction with its financing strategy, the Company used interest rate derivatives for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years to fix the interest rates on the variable rate debt that it incurred to acquire aircraft in anticipation of the expected securitization or term debt re-financings.
     At the time of each re-financing, the initial interest rate derivatives were terminated and new interest rate derivatives were executed as required by each specific debt financing. At the time of each interest rate derivative termination, certain interest rate derivatives were in a gain position and others were in a loss position. Since the hedged interest payments for the variable rate debt associated with each terminated interest rate derivative were probable of occurring, the gain or loss was deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized into interest expense over the relevant period for each interest rate derivative.
     Prior to the securitizations and term debt financings, our interest rate derivatives typically required us to post cash collateral to the counterparty when the value of the interest rate derivative exceeded a defined threshold. When the interest rate derivatives were terminated and became part of a larger aircraft portfolio financing, there were no cash collateral posting requirements associated with the new interest rate derivative. As of September 30, 2010, we did not

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have any cash collateral pledged under our interest rate derivatives, nor do we have any existing agreements that require cash collateral postings.
     Generally, our interest rate derivatives are hedging current interest payments on debt and future interest payments on long-term debt. In the past, we have entered into forward-starting interest rate derivatives to hedge the anticipated interest payment on long-term financings. These interest rate derivatives were terminated and new, specifically tailored interest rate derivatives were entered into upon closing of the relevant long-term financing. We have also early terminated interest rate derivatives in an attempt to manage our exposure to collateral calls.
     The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) and losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010:
                                                                                 
                                                            Amount of Deferred        
                                                            (Gain) or Loss        
                                                            Amortized (including     Amount of  
                                                    Unamortized     Accelerated     Deferred  
                                                    Deferred     Amortization) into     (Gain) or Loss  
    Original                                     Deferred     (Gain) or Loss     Interest Expense for     Expected to be  
    Maximum                     Fixed             (Gain) or     at     the Nine Months Ended     Amortized  
    Notional     Effective     Maturity     Rate     Termination     Loss Upon     September 30,     September 30,     over the Next  
Hedged Item   Amount     Date     Date     %     Date     Termination     2010     2009     2010     Twelve Months  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
Securitization No. 1
  $ 400,000     Dec-05   Aug-10     4.61     Jun-06   $ (13,397 )   $     $ (2,321 )   $ (1,847 )   $  
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 1
    200,000     Dec-05   Dec-10     5.03     Jun-06     (2,541 )     (106 )     (369 )     (191 )     (106 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    500,000     Mar-06   Mar-11     5.07     Jun-07     (2,687 )     (287 )     (535 )     (511 )     (287 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    200,000     Jan-07   Aug-12     5.06     Jun-07     (1,850 )     (609 )     (277 )     (264 )     (337 )
 
                                                                               
Securitization No. 2
    410,000     Feb-07   Apr-17     5.14     Jun-07     (3,119 )     (1,743 )     (302 )     (267 )     (345 )
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    150,000     Jul-07   Dec-17     5.14     Mar-08     15,281       9,951       1,554       1,450       1,813  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    440,000     Jun-07   Feb-13     4.88     Partial — Mar-08
Full — Jun-08
    26,281       11,699       4,529       4,229       5,286  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 1
    248,000     Aug-07   May-13     5.33     Jun-08     9,888       4,134       1,681       2,233       1,705  
 
                                                                               
Term Financing No. 2
    360,000     Jan-08   Feb-19     5.16     Partial — Jun-08
Full — Oct-08
    23,077       10,603       1,991       1,390       1,492  
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    238,000     Jan-11   Apr-16     5.23     Dec-08     19,430       18,432       940       13       1,781  
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    231,000     Apr-10   Oct-15     5.17     Partial — Jun-08
Full — Dec-08
    15,310       12,260       1,291       177       2,319  
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    203,000     Jun-07   Jan-12     4.89     Dec-08     2,728 (1)           1,465              
 
                                                                               
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft
    238,000     Jul-11   Sep-16     5.27     Dec-08     17,254       15,969       1,285              
 
                                                                     
 
                                                                               
Total
                                          $ 105,655     $ 80,303     $ 10,932     $ 6,412     $ 13,321  
 
                                                                     
 
(1)   The deferred loss for this swap is related to the period prior to de-designation.
     The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, or OCI, into interest expense over the next 12 months consists of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives disclosed above, in the amount of $91.6 million and the amortization of deferred net losses in the amount of $13.3 million. Over the next twelve months, we expect the amortization of deferred net losses to increase as certain gains on Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2 fully amortize in the amount of $0.4 million and the losses on the forward starting A330 swaps in the amount of $4.1 million begin to amortize as we take delivery of these aircraft. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the amount of loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense consisted of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives in the amount of $73.4 million, and the amortization of deferred net losses (including accelerated amortization) in the amount of $6.4 million as disclosed below.
     The weighted average interest pay rates of these derivatives at December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 were 4.91% and 5.00%, respectively.

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     The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
            (Dollars in thousands)          
Interest Expense:
                               
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses
  $ 457     $ 764     $ (116 )   $ 2,533  
 
                       
Amortization:
                               
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses
    1,176       313       4,880       766  
Amortization of deferred losses
    1,960       2,025       6,052       5,646  
 
                       
Total Amortization
    3,136       2,338       10,932       6,412  
 
                       
Total charged to interest expense
  $ 3,593     $ 3,102     $ 10,816     $ 8,945  
 
                       
 
                               
Other Income (Expense):
                               
Mark to market gains (losses) on undesignated interest rate derivatives
  $ (608 )   $ (444 )   $ 556     $ (990 )
 
                       
Total charged to other income (expense)
  $ (608 )   $ (444 )   $ 556     $ (990 )
 
                       
Management’s Use of 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.
     The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
            (Dollars in thousands)          
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Depreciation
    53,130       55,703       156,379       164,272  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    3,992       4,203       7,919       13,957  
Interest, net
    43,032       47,453       127,925       128,578  
Income tax provision
    1,423       153       5,388       4,003  
 
                       
EBITDA
  $ 135,035     $ 116,081     $ 377,111     $ 356,397  
 
                       

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Management’s Use of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization
     Management believes that Adjusted Net Income (“ANI”) and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization (“ANIDA”), when viewed in conjunction with the Company’s results under US GAAP and the below reconciliation, provide useful information about operating and period-over-period performance, and provide 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 and gains or losses related to flight equipment and debt investments. Additionally, management believes that ANIDA provides investors with an additional metric to enhance their understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings from which capital investments are made, debt is serviced, and dividends are paid.
     The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to ANI and ANIDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
            (Dollars in thousands)          
Net income
  $ 33,458     $ 8,569     $ 79,500     $ 45,587  
Ineffective portion and termination of cash flow hedges(1)
    1,633       1,077       4,764       3,299  
Mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)
    608       444       (556 )     990  
Write-off of deferred financing fees
          2,471             2,471  
(Gain) loss on sale of aircraft(2)
    (162 )           (162 )     1,291  
Loss on sale of debt investments(2)
    131             131        
 
                       
Adjusted net income
    35,668       12,561       83,677       53,638  
Depreciation
    53,130       55,703       156,379       164,272  
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives
    3,992       4,203       7,919       13,957  
 
                       
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization
  $ 92,790     $ 72,467     $ 247,975     $ 231,867  
 
                       
 
(1)   Included in Interest, net.
 
(2)   Included in Other income (expense).
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Weighted-average shares:
                               
Common shares outstanding
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
Restricted common shares
    1,352,974       1,048,237       1,309,244       1,137,163  
 
                       
Total weighted-average shares
    79,365,888       79,584,941       79,286,333       79,607,400  
 
                       
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
                               
Common shares outstanding
    98.30 %     98.68 %     98.35 %     98.57 %
Restricted common shares(a)
    1.70 %     1.32 %     1.65 %     1.43 %
 
                       
Total
    100.00 %     100.00 %     100.00 %     100.00 %
 
                       
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic and Diluted(b)
    78,012,914       78,536,704       77,977,089       78,470,237  
 
                       

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    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Adjusted net income allocation:
                               
Adjusted net income
  $ 35,668     $ 12,561     $ 83,677     $ 53,638  
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
    (608 )     (165 )     (1,382 )     (766 )
 
                       
Adjusted net income allocable to common shares — Basic and Diluted
  $ 35,060     $ 12,396     $ 82,295     $ 52,872  
 
                       
 
                               
Adjusted net income per common share — Basic
  $ 0.45     $ 0.16     $ 1.06     $ 0.67  
 
                       
Adjusted net income per common share — Diluted
  $ 0.45     $ 0.16     $ 1.06     $ 0.67  
 
                       
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2010     2009     2010  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization allocation:
                               
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization
  $ 92,790     $ 72,467     $ 247,975     $ 231,867  
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
    (1,582 )     (954 )     (4,095 )     (3,312 )
 
                       
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization allocable to common shares — Basic and Diluted
  $ 91,208     $ 71,513     $ 243,880     $ 228,555  
 
                       
 
                               
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization per common share — Basic
  $ 1.17     $ 0.91     $ 3.13     $ 2.91  
 
                       
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization per common share — Diluted
  $ 1.17     $ 0.91     $ 3.13     $ 2.91  
 
                       
 
(a)   For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.70% and 1.32%, respectively, of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.65% and 1.43%, respectively, of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods presented is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
 
(b)   For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, we have no dilutive shares.
Limitations of EBITDA, ANI and ANIDA
     An investor or potential investor may find EBITDA, ANI and ANIDA 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, ANI and ANIDA 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, ANI and ANIDA, 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; and
    gains and losses from asset sales, which may not reflect the overall financial return of the asset, may be an indicator of the current value of our portfolio of assets.

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     EBITDA, ANI, and ANIDA 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 Quarterly Report. We also strongly urge you to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. In addition, because EBITDA, ANI and ANIDA are not measures of financial performance under US GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA, ANI and ANIDA, as presented in this Quarterly 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
     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. We changed our interest rate risk disclosure to an alternative that provides a more meaningful analysis of our interest rate risk. 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 minimum contracted rental and interest expense impacts on our financial instruments and our four variable rate leases and, in particular, does not address the mark-to-market impact on our interest rate derivatives. It also does not include a variety of other potential factors that could affect our business as a result of changes in interest rates.
     A hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rates would increase/decrease the minimum contracted rentals on our portfolio as of September 30, 2010 by $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively, over the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2010, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our

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variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $1.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, net of amounts received from our interest rate derivatives, over the next twelve months.
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or 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, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO, and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
     The Company is not a party to any material legal or adverse regulatory proceedings.
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
     There have been no material changes to the disclosure related to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    None.
Item 6.   Exhibits
     
Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
3.1
  Memorandum of Association†
 
   
3.2
  Bye-laws†
 
   
4.1
  Specimen Share Certificate†
 
   
4.2
  Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement among Aircastle Limited and Fortress Investment Fund III LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund D) L.P., Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund E) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund A) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund D) L.P., Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP, Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd. and Drawbridge Global Macro Master Fund Ltd.†
 
   
4.3
  Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. **
 
   
10.1
  Letter Agreement, dated July 13, 2010, between Aircastle Advisor LLC and Ron Wainshal. *, #
 
   
10.2
  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among Aircastle Limited and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representative of the several Initial Purchasers named therein. **
 
   
31.1
  Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 Δ
 
   
31.2
  Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 Δ
 
   
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 Δ
 
   
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 Δ
 
   
99.1
  Owned Aircraft Portfolio at September 30, 2010 Δ
 
  Incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on June 2, 2006, as amended on July 10, 2006, July 25, 2006 and August 2, 2006.
 
#   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
Δ   Filed herewith.
 
*   Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 15, 2010.
 
**   Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 4, 2010.

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SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 5, 2010
         
  AIRCASTLE LIMITED
(Registrant)
 
 
  By:   /s/ Aaron Dahlke    
    Aaron Dahlke   
    Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer   

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