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Aircastle Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

2008-08-08 05:00:00

Aircastle Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

                         Second Quarter Highlights

    -- Total revenues of $145.4 million increased by 70.8% over Q2 2007

   -- Net income of $35.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in Q2 2008,

 versus $38.1 million, or $0.57 per diluted share in Q2 2007. Adjusted net

 income(1) of $34.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share in Q2 2008, versus

           $26.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share in Q2 2007.

 -- Adjusted net income plus depreciation(1) of $85.9 million, or $1.10 per

      diluted share grew by 59.1% and 35.8%, respectively over Q2 2007

 -- Closed a $786.1 million, seven year term debt facility for a portfolio

                               of 28 aircraft

   -- Executed amendment to our Airbus A330 purchase contract to provide

greater flexibility and finalized long-term freighter lease commitments for

                       three early delivery positions

                             Financial Results



    STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 8 /EMWNews/ -- Aircastle Limited

(the "Company" or "Aircastle") (NYSE: AYR) reported second quarter total

revenues of $145.4 million and net income of $35.3 million, or $0.45 per

diluted share. Income from continuing operations for the second quarter was

also $35.3 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.



    "By many measures, the second quarter was our best to date," said

Aircastle CEO Ron Wainshal. "Our cash earnings, or adjusted net income plus

depreciation, came in at an annualized rate of $4.40 per share. With $77

million in cash and strong cash flow, we have the flexibility to acquire

undervalued assets or repurchase our securities. We remain focused on

operational execution and since the end of Q1 2008 we firmed up 16 lease

placements and extensions on attractive terms, helping push the weighted

average remaining lease term to five and a half years. Portfolio

performance remains very strong with fleet utilization of over 99% for the

second quarter. Finally, we have built-in growth for the next few years

through our Airbus A330 program."



    Second quarter total revenues of $145.4 million increased 70.8% over

second quarter 2007. Lease rental revenue was up 76.1%, driven by growth in

flight equipment held for lease, and includes $4.1 million of maintenance

revenues related to lease expirations during the quarter. This was

partially offset by lower interest income on our debt investments of $2.1

million, primarily resulting from the sale of two debt investments during

the first quarter of 2008. Income from continuing operations grew 30.1%

year over year and again reflects the growth in our flight equipment held

for lease and includes a gain of $5.1 million on the sale of aircraft

during the second quarter of 2008 offset by $4.1 million of charges related

to certain interest rate swap agreements and the write-off of deferred

financing costs.



    Year to date total revenues were $280.4 million and net income was

$67.0 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, increases of 80.7% and 12.4%,

respectively over the first six months of 2007. Income from continuing

operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was also $67.0 million,

or $0.86 per diluted share, and included approximately $7.4 million of

charges related to certain interest rate swap agreements, a loss on the

sale of two debt investments and the write-off of deferred financing costs.



    CFO Mike Inglese added, "During the second quarter we completed a $786

million term financing, demonstrating our continued ability to access the

capital markets on attractive terms. Additionally, the Company's strong

operating results have allowed us to build our unrestricted cash balance to

$77 million at the end of June."



    Aviation Assets



    As of June 30, 2008 Aircastle owned aviation assets having a net book

value of $4.1 billion, including 135 aircraft.




Owned Aircraft as of June 30, 2008(A) 118 Passenger Aircraft 73% 17 Freighter Aircraft 27% Number of Lessees 58 Number of Countries 30 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years) 5.5 Percentage of Aircraft Leased Outside U.S. 91% Percentage of "Latest Generation" Aircraft - Portfolio 86% Percentage of "Latest Generation" Aircraft - Freighters 92% Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during Q2 2008 99% (A) Calculated using net book value. During the second quarter, Aircastle acquired two aircraft with an aggregate purchase price of $157.1 million, completing our purchase obligations under the GAIF contract. In addition, we took delivery of a 747-400 converted freighter from Israel Aerospace Industries, which immediately went on long-term lease. Aircastle sold three Boeing 737-500 aircraft during the second quarter and also completed the sale of a Boeing 757-200 during July that had previously been subject to a forward sales agreement. Additionally, since the end of the second quarter we executed long-term lease commitments for three of our early Airbus A330 freighter delivery positions in 2010. We also amended the Airbus A330 purchase agreement to reduce the overall number of aircraft to be acquired from fifteen to twelve and to change the order to provide a more flexible mix of freighter and passenger aircraft. Capital Markets Activity On May 2, 2008, Aircastle announced that two of its subsidiaries entered into and funded a $786.1 million, seven year term debt facility on a portfolio of 28 aircraft. The facility was arranged by Calyon New York Branch acting as Sole Bookrunner with HSH Nordbank AG, New York Branch, KfW Ipex-Bank GmbH and DVB Bank AG acting as Joint Lead Arrangers. Proceeds from the financing were used to repay related outstanding amounts for the aircraft under Aircastle's existing credit facilities and all 28 aircraft were transferred into the new facility during June 2008. The loans will bear interest on a floating rate basis at a rate of one-month LIBOR plus 1.75%. Non-GAAP Information Aircastle discloses certain non-GAAP financial information, which management believes provides a meaningful basis for comparison among present and future periods. The following are non-GAAP measures used in the accompanying financial information:
-- EBITDA -- Adjusted net income -- Adjusted net income plus depreciation We urge you to read the reconciliation of such data to the related GAAP measures appearing later in this release. Conference Call In connection with this earnings release, management will host an earnings conference call on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 12:00 P.M. Eastern time. A copy of the earnings release will be posted to the Investors section of the Aircastle Limited website provided below. Presentation slides for the conference call will also be posted to the Investors section of the Aircastle Limited website in advance of the call. All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 510-4578 (from within the U.S.) or (706) 634-9537 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start and referencing the "Aircastle Second Quarter Earnings Call." A webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at http://www.aircastle.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. A replay of the webcast will be available for three months following the call. For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until 11:59 P.M. Eastern time on Friday, August 15, 2008 by dialing (800) 642-1687 (from within the U.S.) or (706) 645-9291 (from outside of the U.S.); please reference passcode "57141497."

    About Aircastle Limited



    Aircastle Limited is a global company that acquires and leases

high-utility commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As

of August 5, 2008 Aircastle's aircraft portfolio consisted of 134 aircraft

comprising a variety of passenger and freighter aircraft types that were

leased to 58 lessees located in 30 countries.



    Safe Harbor



    Certain items in this press release 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 and lease aircraft, issue aircraft

lease-backed securities or raise other long-term debt, pay and grow

dividends, extend, modify or replace existing financing and increase

revenues, earnings and EBITDA. Words such as "anticipate(s)," "expect(s),"

"intend(s)," "plan(s)," "target(s)," "project(s)," "predict(s),"

"believe(s)," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seek(s),"

"estimate(s)" 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 press

release. 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, our continued ability to obtain additional capital to

finance our working capital needs and our growth and to refinance our

short-term debt financings with longer-term debt financings; our ability to

acquire aircraft at attractive prices; our ability to find new ways to

raise capital, including managing investment funds; our continued ability

to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other

jurisdictions; our ability to pay or maintain dividends; our ability to

lease aircraft at favorable rates; an adverse change in the value of our

aircraft; the possibility that conditions to closing of certain

transactions will not be satisfied; general economic conditions and

economic conditions in the markets in which we operate; competitive

pressures within the industry and/or markets in which we operate; high fuel

prices and other factors affecting the creditworthiness of our airline

customers; interest rate fluctuations; margin calls and termination

payments on our interest rate hedges; our ability to obtain certain

required licenses and approvals; the impact of future terrorist attacks or

wars on the airline industry; our concentration of customers, including

geographical concentration; and other risks detailed from time to time in

Aircastle Limited's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (

the "SEC"), including "Risk Factors" as previously disclosed in Aircastle's

2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC,

press releases and other communications. 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 press release. 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.



    (1) Refer to the selected financial information accompanying this press

release for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP numbers.




Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands, except share data) December 31, June 30, 2007 2008 (unaudited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $13,546 $76,947 Accounts receivable 4,957 6,688 Debt investments 113,015 20,664 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 161,317 188,141 Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $189,737 and $285,570 3,807,116 4,080,903 Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments 245,331 82,258 Leasehold improvements, furnishings and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,335 and $1,709 1,391 1,351 Fair value of derivative assets - 2,490 Other assets 80,969 57,052 Total assets $4,427,642 $4,516,494 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Borrowings under credit facilities $798,186 $255,189 Borrowings from securitizations and term debt financings 1,677,736 2,414,367 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 65,967 66,866 Dividends payable 55,004 19,647 Lease rentals received in advance 31,016 26,698 Repurchase agreements 67,744 - Security deposits 74,661 72,912 Maintenance payments 208,363 244,550 Fair value of derivative liabilities 154,388 99,465 Total liabilities 3,133,065 3,199,694 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, 78,574,657 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007; and 78,587,011 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 786 786 Additional paid-in capital 1,468,140 1,470,090 Dividends in excess of earnings (48,960) (21,269) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (125,389) (132,807) Total shareholders' equity 1,294,577 1,316,800 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $4,427,642 $4,516,494 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2008 2007 2008 Revenues: Lease rentals $81,926 $144,291 $149,284 $277,918 Interest income 2,728 614 5,316 1,905 Other revenue 460 490 519 528 Total revenues 85,114 145,395 155,119 280,351 Expenses: Depreciation 27,764 51,605 49,398 99,820 Interest, net 19,345 51,319 36,077 92,330 Selling, general and administrative 10,448 11,354 18,944 22,843 Other expense 380 597 761 1,242 Total operating expenses 57,937 114,875 105,180 216,235 Other income: Gain on sale of aircraft - 5,126 - 5,126 Other 1,154 1,328 1,154 1,083 Total other income 1,154 6,454 1,154 6,209 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 28,331 36,974 51,093 70,325 Income tax provision 1,173 1,633 3,078 3,347 Income from continuing operations 27,158 35,341 48,015 66,978 Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 10,910 - 11,594 - Net income $38,068 $35,341 $59,609 $66,978 Basic earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $0.41 $0.45 $0.77 $0.86 Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 0.16 - 0.18 - Net income per share $0.57 $0.45 $0.95 $0.86 Diluted earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $0.41 $0.45 $0.77 $0.86 Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 0.16 - 0.18 - Net income per share $0.57 $0.45 $0.95 $0.86 Dividends declared per share $0.60 $0.25 $1.10 $0.50 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 2008 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $59,609 $66,978 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (inclusive of amounts related to discontinued operations): Depreciation 50,158 99,712 Amortization of deferred financing costs 3,166 6,787 Amortization of lease premiums and discounts, and other related lease items (3,493) (5,216) Deferred income taxes (3,109) 2,604 Accretion of purchase discounts on debt investments (405) (277) Non-cash share based payment expense 4,046 3,213 Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings (2,110) 595 Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges (418) 6,027 Gain on sale of flight equipment (10,219) (5,126) Loss on sale of investments - 245 Other (1,154) (918) Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 2,222 (1,731) Restricted cash and cash equivalents (22,872) (26,686) Other assets (2,269) 1,318 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,187 (2,705) Payable to affiliates - (200) Lease rentals received in advance 3,604 (4,110) Security deposits and maintenance payments 67,790 39,110 Net cash provided by operating activities 149,733 179,620 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment (1,070,216) (221,310) Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of returned deposits (88,413) 8,974 Proceeds from sale of flight equipment 34,946 21,366 Purchase of debt investments (15,251) - Proceeds from sale of debt investments - 65,335 Principal repayments on debt investments 13,372 11,467 Margin call payments on derivatives and repurchase agreements (5,694) (296,605) Margin call receipts on derivatives and repurchase agreements 9,382 330,943 Leasehold improvements, furnishings and equipment (259) (334) Net cash used in investing activities (1,122,133) (80,164) Cash flows from financing activities: Issuance of common shares in public offerings, net 493,056 - Issuance, net of repurchases, of common shares to directors and employees 852 (1,263) Proceeds from securitizations and term debt financings 1,170,000 786,135 Securitization and term debt financing repayments (10,866) (49,504) Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to unreleased securitization and credit facility borrowings (500,565) (138) Deferred financing costs (11,552) (17,568) Credit facility borrowings 1,009,779 482,723 Credit facility repayments (1,112,902) (1,025,720) Proceeds from terminated cash flow hedges 8,936 - Payments for terminated cash flow hedges - (68,332) Proceeds from repurchase agreements 894 - Principal repayments on repurchase agreements (9,425) (67,744) Dividends paid (56,211) (74,644) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 981,996 (36,055) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 9,596 63,401 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 58,118 13,546 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $67,714 $76,947 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Supplemental Financial Information (Amount in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, Percent June 30, Percent 2007 2008 Increase 2007 2008 Increase Revenues $85,114 $145,395 70.8% $155,119 $280,351 80.7% Annualized month end lease rental run rate at period end $379,016 $546,020 44.1% $379,016 $546,020 44.1% EBITDA $73,667 $137,396 86.5% $133,136 $257,327 93.3% Adjusted net income $26,235 $34,309 30.8% $47,818 $69,210 44.7% Basic earnings per share $0.39 $0.44 12.8% $0.76 $0.89 17.1% Diluted earnings per share $0.39 $0.44 12.8% $0.76 $0.89 17.1% Adjusted net income plus depreciation $53,999 $85,914 59.1% $97,977 $169,030 72.5% Basic earnings per share $0.81 $1.11 37.0% $1.56 $2.17 39.1% Diluted earnings per share $0.81 $1.10 35.8% $1.56 $2.17 39.1% Basic shares outstanding 66,554 77,743 16.8% 62,730 77,732 23.9% Diluted shares outstanding 66,823 77,826 16.5% 62,958 77,788 23.6% Refer to the selected information accompanying this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP information.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures EBITDA Reconciliation (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2008 2007 2008 Net income $38,068 $35,341 $59,609 $66,978 Depreciation 27,764 51,605 49,398 99,820 Amortization of lease premiums (discounts) (1,773) (2,502) (3,432) (5,148) Interest, net 19,345 51,319 36,077 92,330 Income tax provision 1,173 1,633 3,078 3,347 Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (10,910) - (11,594) - EBITDA $73,667 $137,396 $133,136 $257,327 We define EBITDA as income 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-GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance. Using EBITDA assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results.
Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation Reconciliation (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2008 2007 2008 Net income $38,068 $35,341 $59,609 $66,978 Ineffective portion and termination of cash flow hedges(1) (460) 4,011 (418) 7,030 Write-off of deferred financing fees(1) - 813 - 813 Mark to market and termination of interest rate swaps(2) (1,154) (730) (1,154) (730) Loss on sale of debt investments(2) - - - 245 Gain on sale of flight equipment(3) (10,219) (5,126) (10,219) (5,126) Adjusted net income 26,235 34,309 47,818 69,210 Depreciation 27,764 51,605 49,398 99,820 Depreciation included in discontinued operations - - 761 - Adjusted net income plus depreciation $53,999 $85,914 $97,977 $169,030 (1) Included in Interest, net (2) Included in Other income (3) 2008 amounts included in Other income; 2007 amounts included in Discontinued Operations We adjust net income for ineffective portion and termination of cash flow hedges, write-off of deferred financing fees, mark to market and termination of interest rate swaps, loss on sale of debt investments and gain on sale of flight equipment. We use adjusted net income to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance net of non-recurring items. We use adjusted net income plus depreciation to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance on an operating cash flow basis after taking into account interest expense on our outstanding indebtedness.

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Blake Masterson

Freelance Writer, Journalist and Father of 5

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