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AIR LEASE CORP - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

 

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 001-35121

 

AIR LEASE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

27-1840403

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

2000 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1000N
Los Angeles, California

 

90067

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 553-0555

 

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 x  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 x  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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

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 x

 

At May 7, 2014, there were 101,916,736 shares of Air Lease Corporation’s Class A Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

Note About Forward-Looking Statements

3

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1

Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets—March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

4

 

Consolidated Statements of Income—Three months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

5

 

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity—Three months Ended March 31, 2014 (unaudited)

6

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

7

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

8

Item 2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

14

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

21

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

21

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1

Legal Proceedings

22

Item 1A

Risk Factors

22

Item 2

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

22

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

22

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

22

Item 5

Other Information

22

Item 6

Exhibits

23

 

Signatures

24

 

Index of Exhibits

25

 

2



Table of Contents

 

NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts may constitute “forward-looking statements,” including any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. These statements are only predictions and involve estimates, known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements, including as a result of the following factors, among others:

 

·                                          our inability to make acquisitions of, or lease, aircraft on favorable terms;

 

·                                          our inability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if required, to complete the acquisition of sufficient aircraft as currently contemplated or to fund the operations and growth of our business;

 

·                                          our inability to obtain refinancing prior to the time our debt matures;

 

·                                          impaired financial condition and liquidity of our lessees;

 

·                                          deterioration of economic conditions in the commercial aviation industry generally;

 

·                                          increased maintenance, operating or other expenses or changes in the timing thereof;

 

·                                          changes in the regulatory environment;

 

·                                          potential natural disasters and terrorist attacks and the amount of our insurance coverage, if any, relating thereto; and

 

·                                          the factors discussed under “Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other SEC filings.

 

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. You are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and par value amounts)

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

256,078

 

$

270,173

 

Restricted cash

 

76,741

 

87,308

 

Flight equipment subject to operating leases

 

8,439,676

 

8,234,315

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

(693,075

)

(621,180

)

 

 

7,746,601

 

7,613,135

 

Deposits on flight equipment purchases

 

1,180,171

 

1,075,023

 

Deferred debt issue costs—less accumulated amortization of $56,265 and $51,578 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

 

90,162

 

90,249

 

Other assets

 

203,552

 

196,716

 

Total assets

 

$

9,553,305

 

$

9,332,604

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest and other payables

 

$

146,177

 

$

131,223

 

Debt financing

 

5,943,096

 

5,853,317

 

Security deposits and maintenance reserves on flight equipment leases

 

593,329

 

569,847

 

Rentals received in advance

 

60,620

 

61,520

 

Deferred tax liability

 

226,575

 

193,263

 

Total liabilities

 

$

6,969,797

 

$

6,809,170

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 101,916,736 and 101,822,676 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

 

1,009

 

1,009

 

Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

2,211,302

 

2,209,566

 

Retained earnings

 

371,197

 

312,859

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,583,508

 

$

2,523,434

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

9,553,305

 

$

9,332,604

 

 

(See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Rental of flight equipment

 

$

230,391

 

$

190,103

 

Aircraft sales, trading and other

 

15,894

 

1,894

 

Total revenues

 

246,285

 

191,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

44,358

 

40,230

 

Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs

 

6,490

 

5,210

 

Interest expense

 

50,848

 

45,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of flight equipment

 

78,142

 

63,863

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

19,186

 

14,247

 

Stock-based compensation

 

3,400

 

6,775

 

Total expenses

 

151,576

 

130,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

94,709

 

61,672

 

Income tax expense

 

(33,312

)

(21,676

)

Net income

 

$

61,397

 

$

39,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.39

 

Diluted

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.38

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

101,857,176

 

101,260,614

 

Diluted

 

110,037,382

 

108,346,885

 

 

(See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

Class A Common Stock

 

Class B Non-Voting
Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Retained

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

$

 

101,822,676

 

$

1,009

 

 

$

 

$

2,209,566

 

$

312,859

 

$

2,523,434

 

Issuance of restricted stock units

 

 

 

130,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

 

19,500

 

 

 

 

390

 

 

390

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

3,400

 

Cash dividends (declared $0.03 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,059

)

(3,059

)

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock units

 

 

 

(55,543

)

 

 

 

(2,054

)

 

(2,054

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,397

 

61,397

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

 

 

$

 

101,916,736

 

$

1,009

 

 

$

 

$

2,211,302

 

$

371,197

 

$

2,583,508

 

 

(See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

61,397

 

$

39,996

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of flight equipment

 

78,142

 

63,863

 

Stock-based compensation

 

3,400

 

6,775

 

Deferred taxes

 

33,312

 

21,676

 

Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs

 

6,490

 

5,210

 

Gain on aircraft sales, trading and other activity

 

(14,430

)

(1,075

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

12,482

 

7,814

 

Accrued interest and other payables

 

347

 

11,048

 

Rentals received in advance

 

(900

)

5,834

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

180,240

 

161,141

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of flight equipment under operating lease

 

(176,104

)

(323,431

)

Payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases

 

(137,318

)

(299,029

)

Proceeds from aircraft sales, trading and other activity

 

61,854

 

 

Acquisition of furnishings, equipment and other assets

 

(49,771

)

(36,708

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(301,339

)

(659,168

)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

390

 

 

Cash dividends paid

 

(3,055

)

(2,532

)

Tax withholdings related to vesting of restricted stock units

 

(2,054

)

(1,742

)

Net change in unsecured revolving facilities

 

(233,000

)

25,000

 

Proceeds from debt financings

 

520,635

 

551,030

 

Payments in reduction of debt financings

 

(201,953

)

(99,953

)

Restricted cash

 

10,567

 

(4,251

)

Debt issue costs

 

(2,306

)

(10,760

)

Security deposits and maintenance reserve receipts

 

34,394

 

40,333

 

Security deposits and maintenance reserve disbursements

 

(16,614

)

(11,564

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

107,004

 

485,561

 

Net decrease in cash

 

(14,095

)

(12,466

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

270,173

 

230,089

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

256,078

 

$

217,623

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest, including capitalized interest of $10,391 and $6,899 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013

 

$

43,256

 

$

30,600

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Buyer furnished equipment, capitalized interest, deposits on flight equipment purchases and seller financing applied to acquisition of flight equipment

 

$

61,448

 

$

108,493

 

Cash dividends declared, not yet paid

 

$

3,059

 

$

 

Other assets applied to payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases

 

$

12,980

 

 

 

 

(See Notes to Consolidated Financial; Statements)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1.         Company Background and Overview

 

Air Lease Corporation together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “ALC”, “we”, “our” or “us”), is a leading aircraft leasing company that was founded by aircraft leasing industry pioneer, Steven F. Udvar-Házy. We are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial jet transport aircraft directly from the manufacturers, such as The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”).  We lease these aircraft to airlines throughout the world to generate attractive returns on equity. In addition to our leasing activities, we sell aircraft from our fleet to leasing companies, financial services companies and airlines. We also provide fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios for a management fee.

 

Note 2.         Basis of Preparation

 

The Company consolidates financial statements of all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including the accounts of any Variable Interest Entity in which we have a controlling financial interest and for which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, including only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows at March 31, 2014, and for all periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Note 3.         Debt Financing

 

The Company’s consolidated debt as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Unsecured

 

 

 

 

 

Senior notes

 

$

3,579,194

 

$

3,055,620

 

Revolving credit facilities

 

575,000

 

808,000

 

Term financings

 

229,966

 

247,722

 

Convertible senior notes

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

 

 

4,584,160

 

4,311,342

 

Secured

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse facilities

 

598,372

 

828,418

 

Term financings

 

703,306

 

654,369

 

Export credit financing

 

69,875

 

71,539

 

 

 

1,371,553

 

1,554,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

 

5,955,713

 

5,865,668

 

Less: Debt discount

 

(12,617

)

(12,351

)

Total debt

 

$

5,943,096

 

$

5,853,317

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Company’s secured obligations as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized below (in thousands, except number of aircraft which are reflected in units):

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonrecourse

 

598,372

 

$

847,684

 

Recourse

 

773,181

 

706,642

 

Total

 

$

1,371,553

 

$

1,554,326

 

Number of aircraft pledged as collateral

 

44

 

52

 

Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral

 

$

2,214,219

 

$

2,454,350

 

 

Unsecured revolving credit facilities

 

On May 5, 2014, the Company completed an amendment to its $2.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the amendment, we have increased the aggregate capacity by $100.0 million to $2.1 billion and extended the availability period to May 2018.

 

Senior unsecured notes

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company issued $525.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. On January 22, 2014, the Company issued $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2024 that bear interest at a rate of 4.85%. On March 11, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2021 that bear interest at a rate of 3.875%.

 

Warehouse facilities

 

On March 27, 2014, the Company refinanced a portfolio of secured debt facilities including our non-recourse $192.8 million senior secured warehouse facility (the “2012 Warehouse Facility”). We reduced the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the portfolio of loans from $178.5 million to $101.0 million, reduced the interest rate from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 1.55% and modified the amortization schedule of the loans, which now have final maturities in March 2019.

 

Maturities

 

Maturities of debt outstanding as of March 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

$

150,206

 

2015

 

256,005

 

2016

 

943,082

 

2017

 

1,421,293

 

2018

 

1,203,098

 

Thereafter

 

1,982,029

 

Total(1)(2)

 

$

5,955,713

 

 


(1)         As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $598.4 million of debt outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility (The “2010 Warehouse Facility”).  The Company is able to draw on the facility during an availability period that ends in June 2015 with a subsequent term out option, through 2018 which is reflected in the maturity schedule above.

(2)         As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $575.0 million of debt outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facilities. The outstanding drawn balances may be rolled until the maturity date of each respective facility and have been presented as such in the maturity schedule above. Maturities of outstanding drawn balances under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility have been presented as amended on May 5, 2014.

 

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Note 4.         Commitments and Contingencies

 

Aircraft Acquisition

 

As of March 31, 2014 we had commitments to acquire a total of 331 new aircraft for delivery as follows:

 

Aircraft Type

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Airbus A321-200(1)

 

11

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

Airbus A320/321 NEO

 

 

 

3

 

12

 

15

 

20

 

50

 

Airbus A330-300

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Airbus A350-900/1000(2)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

29

 

30

 

Boeing 737-800

 

10

 

21

 

15

 

11

 

 

 

57

 

Boeing 737-8/9 MAX(3)

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

96

 

104

 

Boeing 777-300ER

 

5

 

8

 

2

 

 

 

 

15

 

Boeing 787-9/10

 

 

 

 

1

 

7

 

37

 

45

 

ATR 72-600

 

4

 

2

 

5

 

1

 

 

 

12

 

Total

 

31

 

37

 

25

 

25

 

31

 

182

 

331

 

 


(1)         All of our Airbus A321-200 aircraft will be equipped with sharklets.

(2)         As of March 31, 2014, five of the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.

(3)     As of March 31, 2014, 10 of the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.

 

Commitments for the acquisition of these aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price (including adjustments for inflation) of approximately $27.4 billion at March 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Years ending December 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

$

1,939,366

 

2015

 

2,246,445

 

2016

 

1,437,709

 

2017

 

1,632,751

 

2018

 

2,781,520

 

Thereafter

 

17,330,093

 

Total

 

$

27,367,884

 

 

We have made non-refundable deposits on the aircraft for which we have commitments to purchase of $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are subject to manufacturer performance commitments. If we are unable to satisfy our purchase commitments, we may forfeit our deposits. Further, we would be subject to breach of contract claims by our lessees and manufacturers.

 

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Note 5.        Net Earnings Per Share

 

Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock; however, potential common equivalent shares are excluded if the effect of including these shares would be anti-dilutive. The Company’s two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B Non-Voting, have equal rights to dividends and income, and therefore, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for each class of common stock.

 

Diluted net earnings per share takes into account the potential conversion of stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants using the treasury stock method and convertible notes using the if-converted method.  For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company excluded 150,000 shares related to stock options which were potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including these shares would be anti-dilutive.  In addition, the Company excluded 1,789,586 and 2,192,931 shares related to restricted stock units for which the performance metric had yet to be achieved as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

61,397

 

$

39,996

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

101,857,176

 

101,260,614

 

Basic net income per share

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.39

 

Diluted net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

61,397

 

$

39,996

 

Interest on convertible senior notes

 

1,433

 

1,407

 

Net income plus assumed conversions

 

$

62,830

 

$

41,403

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

Number of shares used in basic computation

 

101,857,176

 

101,260,614

 

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities

 

8,180,206

 

7,086,271

 

Number of shares used in per share computation

 

110,037,382

 

108,346,885

 

Diluted net income per share

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.38

 

 

Note 6.         Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Non-recurring Basis

 

The Company had no assets or liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

 

The fair value of debt financing is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, which would be categorized as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of debt financing as of March 31, 2014 was $6.2 billion compared to a book value of $5.9 billion. The estimated fair value of debt financing as of December 31, 2013 was $6.1 billion compared to a book value of $5.9 billion.

 

The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2014, but require disclosure of their fair values: cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The estimated fair value of such instruments at March 31, 2014 approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheet.  The fair value of all these instruments would be categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Note 7.         Stock-based Compensation

 

In accordance with the Amended and Restated Air Lease Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”), the number of stock options (“Stock Options”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) authorized under the Plan is approximately 8,193,088 as of March 31, 2014. Options are generally granted for a term of 10 years and generally vest over a three year period. The Company has issued RSUs with two different vesting criteria: those RSUs that vest based on the attainment of book value goals and those RSUs that vest based on the attainment of Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) goals. The book value RSUs generally vest ratably over three to four years, if the performance condition has been met. Book value RSUs for which the performance metric has not been met are forfeited. The TSR RSUs vest at the end of a three year period. The number of TSR RSUs that will ultimately vest is based upon the percentile ranking of the Company’s TSR among a peer group. The number of shares that will ultimately vest will range from 0% to 200% of the RSUs initially granted depending on the extent to which the TSR metric is achieved.

 

The Company recorded $3.4 million and $6.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of stock option activity in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan as of March 31, 2014, and changes for the three month period then ended, follows:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Exercise
Price

 

Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)(1)

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

3,357,658

 

20.39

 

6.49

 

35,883

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(19,500

)

20.00

 

 

(308

)

Forfeited/canceled

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

 

3,338,158

 

20.40

 

6.24

 

56,397

 

Vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2014

 

3,338,158

 

20.40

 

6.24

 

56,397

 

 


(1)         The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the closing stock price of our Class A Common Stock as of the respective date.

 

As of March 31, 2014, all of the Company’s outstanding employee stock options had fully vested and there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding employee stock options.  As a result, there was no stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

The following table summarizes additional information regarding exercisable and vested options at March 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Options exercisable
and vested

 

Range of exercise prices

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining Life
(in years)

 

$20.00

 

3,188,158

 

6.22

 

$28.80

 

150,000

 

7.08

 

$20.00 - $28.80

 

3,338,158

 

6.24

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Compensation cost for stock awards is measured at the grant date based on fair value and recognized over the vesting period. The fair value of book value RSUs is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant, while the fair value of TSR RSUs is determined at the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Included in the Monte Carlo simulation model were certain assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables, such as expected volatility, risk free interest rate and expected dividends. To appropriately value the award, the risk free interest rate is estimated for the time period from the valuation date until the vesting date and the historical volatilities were estimated based on a historical timeframe equal to the time from the valuation date until the end date of the performance period. Due to our limited stock history since the completion of our initial public offering on April 25, 2011, historical volatility was estimated based on all available stock history information.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted 352,619 RSUs of which 176,304 are TSR RSUs. The following table summarizes the activities for our unvested RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Unvested Restricted Stock Units

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Unvested at December 31, 2013

 

1,569,005

 

$

24.50

 

Granted

 

352,619

 

41.72

 

Vested

 

(130,103

)

25.53

 

Forfeited/canceled

 

(1,935

)

34.87

 

Unvested at March 31, 2014

 

1,789,586

 

$

27.80

 

Expected to vest after March 31, 2014(1)

 

1,775,115

 

$

27.80

 

 


(1)  RSUs expected to vest reflect an estimated forfeiture rate.

 

The Company recorded $3.4 million and $3.8 million of stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2014, there was $23.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to unvested RSUs granted to employees. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.2 years.

 

Note 8. Litigation

 

On April 24, 2012, the Company was named as a defendant in a complaint filed in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles by American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) and International Lease Finance Corporation (“ILFC”). The complaint also names as defendants certain executive officers and employees of, and an initial investor in, the Company. AIG withdrew as a plaintiff on all but one cause of action that is not asserted against the Company.

 

Among other things, the complaint, as amended, alleges breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, the wrongful recruitment of ILFC employees, and the wrongful diversion of potential ILFC leasing opportunities. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to defend this matter vigorously. The amount or range of loss, if any, is not estimable at this time.

 

On August 15, 2013, the Company filed a cross complaint against ILFC and AIG. The cross complaint, as amended, alleges breach of contract for the sale of goods in connection with an agreement entered into by AIG, acting on behalf of ILFC, in January 2010 to sell 25 aircraft to the entity that became Air Lease Corporation. The cross complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $500 million.

 

Note 9. Related Party Transactions

 

In March 2014, we entered into Servicing Agreements with Commonwealth Bank of Australia and its subsidiaries at terms no more favorable than would be negotiated with an unrelated third party.  Commonwealth Bank of Australia beneficially owns more than 5% of our Class A Common Stock, and one of our directors, Ian M. Saines, was Group Executive of the Institutional Banking and Markets division of Commonwealth Bank through December 2013.  Pursuant to the Servicing Agreements, we agreed to manage the lease of seven aircraft to third parties, and if requested by the subsidiaries, to remarket the aircraft for subsequent leases or for sale. In connection with these transactions, Commonwealth Bank of Australia will pay us a percentage of the contracted rent and the rent actually paid by the lessees each month. We may earn up to an aggregate of approximately $3.1 million in fees under the Servicing Agreements in connection with the management of the leases.

 

In addition, Commonwealth Bank of Australia is a lender under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility. See note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Note 10.  Subsequent Events

 

On May 7, 2014, our board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share on our outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on July 7, 2014 to holders of record of our common stock as of June 16, 2014.

 

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ITEM 2.            MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Overview

 

Air Lease Corporation is a leading aircraft leasing company that was founded by aircraft leasing industry pioneer, Steven F. Udvar-Házy. We are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial jet transport aircraft directly from the manufacturers, such as Boeing and Airbus, and leasing those aircraft to airlines throughout the world to generate attractive returns on equity. In addition to our leasing activities, we sell aircraft from our operating lease portfolio to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies and airlines. We also provide fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios for a management fee. Our operating performance is driven by the growth of our fleet, the terms of our leases, the interest rates on our indebtedness and the terms of our aircraft sales and trading activities.

 

We ended the first quarter of 2014 with 196 aircraft comprised of 150 single-aisle narrowbody jet aircraft, 30 twin-aisle widebody jet aircraft and 16 turboprop aircraft, with a weighted average age of 3.8 years. We ended 2013 with 193 aircraft, comprised of 146 single-aisle narrowbody jet aircraft, 31 twin-aisle widebody jet aircraft and 16 turboprop aircraft, with a weighted average age of 3.7 years. Our fleet grew by 1.8% based on net book value to $7.7 billion as of March 31, 2014 compared to $7.6 billion as of December 31, 2013. All of the aircraft in our fleet were leased as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, we managed 12 aircraft compared to four aircraft as of December 31, 2013.

 

The acquisition and lease of additional aircraft led to an increase of $40.3 million, or 21.2%, in our rental revenue to $230.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $190.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Due to the timing of aircraft deliveries the full impact on rental revenue for aircraft acquired during a given period will be reflected in subsequent periods.

 

We recorded earnings before income taxes of $94.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 compared to $61.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $33.0 million or 53.6%.  Our profitability increased year over year as our pretax profit margin increased to 38.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to 32.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.57 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to $0.38 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, an increase of 50.0%.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company entered into binding commitments to acquire nine aircraft  from Airbus, Boeing and Avions de Transport Régional (“ATR”).  From Airbus, we agreed to purchase an Airbus A330-300 scheduled to deliver in 2014.  From Boeing, we agreed to purchase an additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft scheduled to deliver in 2015.  From ATR, we agreed to purchase seven additional ATR 72-600 aircraft which are scheduled to deliver in 2015 through 2017.

 

Our financing plans remain focused on raising unsecured debt in the global bank and capital markets, reinvesting cash flow from operations and, to a limited extent, export credit financing. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we entered into additional unsecured debt facilities aggregating $525.0 million. We ended the first quarter of 2014 with total debt outstanding of $5.9 billion, of which 69.4% was at a fixed rate and 77.0% was unsecured, with a composite cost of funds of 3.73%.

 

Our fleet

 

Portfolio metrics of our fleet as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Fleet size

 

196

 

193

 

Weighted-average fleet age(1)

 

3.8 years

 

3.7 years

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term(1)

 

7.0 years

 

7.1 years

 

Aggregate fleet net book value

 

$

7,746,601

 

$

7,613,135

 

 


(1)               Weighted-average fleet age and remaining lease term calculated based on net book value.

 

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The following table sets forth the net book value and percentage of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio operating in the indicated regions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Region

 

Net Book
Value

 

% of Total

 

Net Book
Value

 

% of Total

 

Asia/Pacific

 

$

3,461,427

 

44.7

%

$

3,317,118

 

43.6

%

Europe

 

2,680,153

 

34.6

%

2,656,816

 

34.9

%

Central America, South America and Mexico

 

823,003

 

10.6

%

829,930

 

10.9

%

U.S. and Canada

 

413,690

 

5.3

%

436,653

 

5.7

%

The Middle East and Africa

 

368,328

 

4.8

%

372,618

 

4.9

%

Total

 

$

7,746,601

 

100.0

%

$

7,613,135

 

100.0

%

 

The following table sets forth the number of aircraft we leased by aircraft type as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Aircraft type

 

Number of
Aircraft

 

% of Total

 

Number of
Aircraft

 

% of Total

 

Airbus A319-100

 

6

 

3.1

%

6

 

3.1

%

Airbus A320-200

 

42

 

21.4

%

42

 

21.8

%

Airbus A321-200

 

9

 

4.6

%

7

 

3.6

%

Airbus A330-200

 

16

 

8.2

%

16

 

8.3

%

Airbus A330-300

 

5

 

2.5

%

5

 

2.6

%

Boeing 737-700

 

9

 

4.6

%

10

 

5.2

%

Boeing 737-800

 

53

 

27.0

%

50

 

25.9

%

Boeing 767-300ER

 

2

 

1.0

%

3

 

1.6

%

Boeing 777-200ER

 

1

 

0.5

%

1

 

0.5

%

Boeing 777-300ER

 

6

 

3.1

%

6

 

3.1

%

Embraer E175

 

8

 

4.1

%

8

 

4.1

%

Embraer E190

 

23

 

11.7

%

23

 

11.9

%

ATR 72-600

 

16

 

8.2

%

16

 

8.3

%

Total

 

196

 

100.0

%

193

 

100.0

%

 

As of March 31, 2014 we had commitments to acquire a total of 331 new aircraft for delivery as follows:

 

Aircraft Type

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Airbus A321-200(1)

 

11

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

17

 

Airbus A320/321 NEO

 

 

 

3

 

12

 

15

 

20

 

50

 

Airbus A330-300

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Airbus A350-900/1000(2)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

29

 

30

 

Boeing 737-800

 

10

 

21

 

15

 

11

 

 

 

57

 

Boeing 737-8/9 MAX(3)

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

96

 

104

 

Boeing 777-300ER

 

5

 

8

 

2

 

 

 

 

15

 

Boeing 787-9/10

 

 

 

 

1

 

7

 

37

 

45

 

ATR 72-600

 

4

 

2

 

5

 

1

 

 

 

12

 

Total

 

31

 

37

 

25

 

25

 

31

 

182

 

331

 

 


(1)         All of our Airbus A321-200 aircraft will be equipped with sharklets

(2)         As of March 31, 2014, five of the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.

(3)         As of March 31, 2014, 10 of the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.

 

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Our lease placements are progressing in line with expectations. As of March 31, 2014 we have entered into contracts for the lease of new aircraft scheduled to be delivered as follows:

 

Delivery year

 

Number of
Aircraft

 

Number
Leased

 

% Leased

 

2014

 

31

 

31

 

100.0

%

2015

 

37

 

36

 

97.3

 

2016

 

25

 

11

 

44.0

 

2017

 

25

 

9

 

36.0

 

2018

 

31

 

7

 

22.6

 

Thereafter

 

182

 

 

 

Total

 

331

 

94

 

 

 

 

Aircraft industry and sources of revenues

 

Our revenues are principally derived from operating leases with scheduled and charter airlines and we derive more than 90% of our revenues from airlines domiciled outside of the United States. As of March 31, 2014, we had 196 aircraft leased under operating leases to 79 airlines based in 47 countries and we anticipate that most of our revenues in the future will be generated from foreign lessees.  The airline industry is cyclical, economically sensitive, and highly competitive. Airlines and related companies are affected by fuel price volatility and fuel shortages, political and economic instability, currency volatility, natural disasters, terrorist activities, changes in national policy, competitive pressures, labor actions, pilot shortages, insurance costs, recessions, health concerns and other political or economic events adversely affecting world or regional trading markets. Our airline customers’ ability to react to, and cope with, the volatile competitive environment in which they operate, as well as our own competitive environment, will affect our revenues and income.

 

Despite industry cyclicality and current stresses, we remain optimistic about the long-term growth prospects for air transportation.  We see a growing demand for aircraft leasing in the broader industry and a role for ALC in helping airlines modernize their fleets to support the growth of the airline industry.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Overview

 

We finance the purchase of aircraft and our business with available cash balances, internally generated funds, including aircraft sales and trading activity, and debt financings. We have structured the Company to be an investment grade company and our debt financing strategy has focused on funding our business on an unsecured basis. Unsecured financing provides us with operational flexibility when selling or transitioning aircraft from one airline to another. We may, to a limited extent, utilize export credit financing in support of our new aircraft deliveries.

 

The Company has two corporate credit ratings. Our investment grade credit ratings further lowered our cost of funds and broadened our access to attractively priced capital. Our long term debt financing strategy is focused on raising unsecured debt in the global bank and capital markets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Debt

 

Our debt financing was comprised of the following at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

Unsecured

 

 

 

 

 

Senior notes

 

$

3,579,194

 

$

3,055,620

 

Revolving credit facilities

 

575,000

 

808,000

 

Term financings

 

229,966

 

247,722

 

Convertible senior notes

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

 

 

4,584,160

 

4,311,342

 

Secured

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse facilities

 

598,372

 

828,418

 

Term financings

 

703,306

 

654,369

 

Export credit financing

 

69,875

 

71,539

 

 

 

1,371,553

 

1,554,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

 

5,955,713

 

5,865,668

 

Less: Debt discount

 

(12,617

)

(12,351

)

Total debt

 

$

5,943,096

 

$

5,853,317

 

Selected interest rates and ratios:

 

 

 

 

 

Composite interest rate(1)

 

3.73

%

3.60

%

Composite interest rate on fixed rate debt(1)

 

4.48

%

4.56

%

Percentage of total debt at fixed rate

 

69.43

%

61.98

%

 


(1)                                 This rate does not include the effect of upfront fees, undrawn fees or issuance cost amortization

 

Unsecured revolving credit facilities

 

On May 5, 2014, the Company completed an amendment to its $2.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility”). Pursuant to the amendment, we have increased the aggregate capacity by $100.0 million to $2.1 billion and extended the availability period to May 2018.

 

Senior unsecured notes

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company issued $525.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. On January 22, 2014, the Company issued $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2024 that bear interest at a rate of 4.85%. On March 11, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2021 that bear interest at a rate of 3.875%.

 

Warehouse facilities

 

On March 27, 2014, the Company refinanced a portfolio of secured debt facilities including our non-recourse $192.8 million senior secured warehouse facility (the “2012 Warehouse Facility). We reduced the aggregate principle amount outstanding under the portfolio of loans from $178.5 million to $101.0 million, reduced the interest rate from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 1.55% and modified the amortization schedule of the loans, which now have final maturities in March 2019.

 

Credit Ratings

 

The following table summarizes our current credit ratings:

 

Rating Agency

 

Long-term Debt

 

Corporate Rating

 

Outlook

 

Date of Last Ratings Action

 

S&P

 

BBB-

 

BBB-

 

Stable Outlook

 

August 26, 2013

 

Kroll Bond Ratings

 

A-

 

A-

 

Stable Outlook

 

May 9, 2013

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we incurred additional debt financing aggregating $525.0 million, which included $500.0 million in senior unsecured notes due 2021 that bear interest at a rate of 3.875% and $25.0 million in senior unsecured notes due 2024 that bear interest at a rate of 4.85%. We ended the first quarter of 2014 with total debt outstanding of $5.94 billion compared to $5.85 billion as of December 31, 2013.  As of March 31, 2014 we had developed a 43 member, globally diversified banking group, which has provided us in excess of $4.3 billion in financing and we have raised $3.8 billion in financing in the capital markets.  We ended the first quarter of 2014 with total unsecured debt outstanding of $4.6 billion compared to $4.3 billion as of December 31, 2013, increasing the Company’s unsecured debt as a percentage of total debt to 77.0% as of March 31, 2014 compared to 73.5% as of December 31, 2013. The Company’s fixed rate debt as a percentage of total debt increased to 69.4% as of March 31, 2014 from 62.0% as of December 31, 2013.

 

The acquisition and lease of additional aircraft led to an increase in our cash flows from operations of 19.1 million, or 11.9%, to $180.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to $161.1 million in the first quarter of 2013. Our cash flows from operations contributed significantly to our liquidity position. We ended the first quarter of 2014 with available liquidity of $2.1 billion which is comprised of unrestricted cash of $256.1 million and undrawn balances under our warehouse facilities and unsecured revolving credit facilities of $1.8 billion. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to satisfy the operating requirements of our business through the next twelve months.

 

Our financing plan for 2014 is focused on funding the purchase of aircraft and our business with available cash balances, internally generated funds, including aircraft sales and trading activity, and debt financings. Our debt financing plan will remain focused on continuing to raise unsecured debt in the global bank and capital markets. In addition, we may utilize, to a limited extent, export credit financing in support of our new aircraft deliveries.

 

We are in compliance in all material respects with all covenants or other requirements in our debt agreements. While a ratings downgrade would not result in a default under any of our debt agreements, it could adversely affect our ability to issue debt and obtain new financings, or renew existing financings, and it would increase the cost of such financings. Our liquidity plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table presents our historical operating results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Rental of flight equipment

 

$

230,391

 

$

190,103

 

Aircraft sales, trading and other

 

15,894

 

1,894

 

Total revenues

 

246,285

 

191,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

44,358

 

40,230

 

Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs

 

6,490

 

5,210

 

Interest expense

 

50,848

 

45,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of flight equipment

 

78,142

 

63,863

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

19,186

 

14,247

 

Stock-based compensation

 

3,400

 

6,775

 

Total expenses

 

151,576

 

130,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

94,709

 

61,672

 

Income tax expense

 

(33,312

)

(21,676

)

Net income

 

$

61,397

 

$

39,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share of Class A and B Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.39

 

Diluted

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.38

 

 

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Three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013

 

Rental revenue

 

As of March 31, 2014, we had acquired 196 aircraft with a net book value of $7.7 billion and recorded $230.4 million in rental revenue for the three months then ended, which included overhaul revenue of $6.1 million. In the prior year, as of March 31, 2013, we had acquired 162 aircraft with a net book value of $6.6 billion and recorded $190.1 million in rental revenue for the three months then ended, which included overhaul revenue of $7.2 million. The increase in rental revenue was attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft. The full impact on rental revenue for aircraft acquired during the period will be reflected in subsequent periods.

 

All of the aircraft in our fleet were leased as of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.

 

Aircraft sales, trading and other

 

Aircraft sales, trading and other revenue totaled $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase from the prior period is primarily attributable to $14.2 million in gains resulting from (i) the sale of two aircraft from our operating lease portfolio, (ii) trading of two Boeing 737-300 aircraft and (iii) insurance proceeds received in excess of the book value relating to the loss of an aircraft in 2013.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense totaled $50.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $45.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The change was primarily due to an increase in our average outstanding debt balances resulting in a $4.1 million increase in interest expense and an increase of $1.3 million in amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs. We expect that our interest expense will increase as our average debt balance outstanding continues to increase.  Interest expense will also be impacted by changes in our composite cost of funds.

 

Depreciation expense

 

We recorded $78.1 million in depreciation expense of flight equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $63.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013, is attributable to the acquisition of additional aircraft. The full impact on depreciation expense for aircraft acquired during the period will be reflected in subsequent periods.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

We recorded selling, general and administrative expenses of $19.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 7.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 7.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. As we continue to add new aircraft to our portfolio, we expect over the long-term selling, general and administrative expense to decrease as a percentage of our revenue.

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

Stock-based compensation expense totaled $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The decrease is primarily due to the employee stock options granted by the Company fully vesting during 2013 as well as the effects of the expense recognition pattern related to our book-value RSUs, which is calculated based on a tranche by tranche vesting schedule. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information about stock-based compensation.

 

Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 35.2% compared to 35.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The change in effective tax rate for the respective periods is due to the effect of changes in permanent differences.

 

Net income

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company reported consolidated net income of $61.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to consolidated net income of $40.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft, an increase in aircraft sales, trading and other revenue and lower interest rates on our indebtedness.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Long-term debt obligations (1)(2)

 

$

150,206

 

$

256,005

 

$

943,082

 

$

1,421,293

 

$

1,203,098

 

$

1,982,029

 

$

5,955,713

 

Interest payments on debt outstanding(3)

 

156,535

 

217,601

 

205,137

 

137,372

 

96,361

 

108,300

 

921,306

 

Purchase commitments

 

1,939,366

 

2,246,445

 

1,437,709

 

1,632,751

 

2,781,520

 

17,330,093

 

27,367,884

 

Operating leases

 

1,805

 

2,467

 

2,541

 

2,617

 

2,696

 

15,387

 

27,513

 

Total

 

$

2,247,912

 

$

2,722,518

 

$

2,588,469

 

$

3,194,033

 

$

4,083,675

 

$

19,435,809

 

$

34,272,416

 

 


(1)          As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $598.4 million of debt outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility (The “2010 Warehouse Facility”).  The Company is able to draw on the facility during an availability period that ends in June 2015 with a subsequent term out option, through 2018 which is reflected in the maturity schedule above.

(2)          As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $575.0 million of debt outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facilities. The outstanding drawn balances may be rolled until the maturity date of each respective facility and have been presented as such in the maturity schedule above. Maturities of outstanding drawn balances under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility have been presented as amended on May 5, 2014.

(3)      Future interest payments on floating rate debt are estimated using floating rates in effect at March 31, 2014.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have not established any unconsolidated entities for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We have, however, from time to time established subsidiaries and created partnership arrangements or trusts for the purpose of leasing aircraft or facilitating borrowing arrangements, all of which are consolidated.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies reflecting management’s estimates and judgments are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company has reviewed recently adopted accounting pronouncements and determined that the adoption of such pronouncements is not expected to have a material impact, if any, on its consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, there have been no changes to critical accounting policies in the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument, caused by fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our results of operations and cash flows. We are exposed to the market risks described below.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The nature of our business exposes us to market risk arising from changes in interest rates. Changes, both increases and decreases, in our cost of borrowing, as reflected in our composite interest rate, directly impact our net income. Our lease rental stream is generally fixed over the life of our leases, whereas we have used floating-rate debt to finance a significant portion of our aircraft acquisitions. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $1.82 billion and $2.23 billion in floating-rate debt, respectively. If interest rates increase, we would be obligated to make higher interest payments to our lenders. If we incur significant fixed-rate debt in the future, increased interest rates prevailing in the market at the time of the incurrence of such debt would also increase our interest expense. If the composite rate on our floating-rate debt were to increase by 1.0%, we would expect to incur additional interest expense on our existing indebtedness of approximately $18.2 million and $22.3 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, each on an annualized basis, which would put downward pressure on our operating margins. The change in interest expense the Company would incur is primarily due to a change in total floating-rate debt outstanding as of March 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.

 

We also have interest rate risk on our forward lease placements. This is caused by us setting a fixed lease rate in advance of the delivery date of an aircraft. The delivery date is when a majority of the financing for an aircraft is arranged. We partially mitigate the risk of an increasing interest rate environment between the lease signing date and the delivery date of the aircraft by having interest rate adjusters in a majority of our forward lease contracts which would adjust the final lease rate upward if certain benchmark interest rates are higher at the time of delivery of the aircraft than at the lease signing date.

 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

 

The Company attempts to minimize currency and exchange risks by entering into aircraft purchase agreements and a majority of lease agreements and debt agreements with U.S. dollars as the designated payment currency. Thus, most of our revenue and expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 0.9% and 1.6%, respectively, of our lease revenues were denominated in Euros. The decrease in lease revenues denominated in Euros is primarily due to the full impact on rental revenue of aircraft acquired in prior periods. As our principal currency is the U.S. dollar, weakness in the U.S. dollar as compared to other major currencies should not have a significant impact on our future operating results.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Certifying Officers”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, including the Certifying Officers, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

We have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Certifying Officers, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of March 31, 2014. Based on that evaluation, our Certifying Officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at March 31, 2014.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On April 24, 2012, the Company was named as a defendant in a complaint filed in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles by AIG and ILFC. The complaint also names as defendants certain executive officers and employees of, and an initial investor in, the Company. AIG withdrew as a plaintiff on all but one cause of action that is not asserted against the Company.

 

Among other things, the complaint, as amended, alleges breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, the wrongful recruitment of ILFC employees, and the wrongful diversion of potential ILFC leasing opportunities. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to defend this matter vigorously. The amount or range of loss, if any, is not estimable at this time.

 

On August 15, 2013, the Company filed a cross complaint against ILFC and AIG. The cross complaint, as amended, alleges breach of contract for the sale of goods in connection with an agreement entered into by AIG, acting on behalf of ILFC, in January 2010 to sell 25 aircraft to the entity that became Air Lease Corporation. The cross complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $500 million.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those discussed under “Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2013.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

(a)

 

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

 

On May 5, 2014, the Company entered into a second amended and restated $2.1 billion four-year unsecured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein. The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility was arranged by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBC Capital Markets,

 

BMO Capital Markets, RBS Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA Inc.  The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility will mature on May 5, 2018 (subject to the Company’s ability to extend such maturity date for two one-year extension periods on the terms and conditions set forth in the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility) and contains an uncommitted accordion feature under which its aggregate principal amount can be increased by up to $500 million under certain circumstances.  The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility contains sub-limits of $150 million for the issuance of letters of credit and $150 million for swingline loans.

 

The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility provides for certain affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants relating to the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated shareholders’ equity and consolidated unencumbered assets.  The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility also provides for an interest coverage test that will be suspended at any time that the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility or certain other indebtedness of the Company is rated investment grade (as defined in the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility).  In addition, the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and events of default.  In the case of an event of default, the lenders may terminate the commitments under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and require immediate repayment of all outstanding borrowings and the cash collateralization of all outstanding letters of credit.  Such termination and acceleration will occur automatically in the event of certain bankruptcy events.

 

Borrowings under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility will generally bear interest at either (a) LIBOR plus a margin of 125 basis points per year or (b) an alternative base rate plus a margin of 25 basis points per year, subject to reductions based on improvements in the Company’s credit ratings.  The Company is required to pay a facility fee of 25 basis points (also subject to reductions based on improvements in the Company’s credit ratings) per year in respect of total commitments under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility.   Borrowings under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility will be used to finance the working capital needs of the Company and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and for other general corporate purposes.

 

The Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is not currently guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries.  However, the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility will be required to be guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee certain of the Company’s indebtedness.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a lender under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility holds more than 5% of our Class A Common Stock.  Certain of the lenders under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility have other lending relationships with the Company and its subsidiaries, including under the Amended and Restated Warehouse Loan Agreement of ALC Warehouse Borrower, LLC, one of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, dated as of June 21, 2013.  In addition, certain lenders under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility have in the past performed, and may in the future from time to time perform, investment banking, financial advisory, or commercial banking services for the Company and its subsidiaries, for which they have received, and may in the future receive, customary compensation and reimbursement of expenses.

 

Air Lease Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

 

At the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 7, 2014, the Company’s stockholders approved the Air Lease Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014 Equity Incentive Plan”).  On February 25, 2014, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that it adopt the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, and on February 26, 2014 the Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, subject to stockholder approval at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The effective date of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan is May 7, 2014. The 2014 Equity Incentive Plan replaces the Amended and Restated Air Lease Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Equity Incentive Plan”).  No further grants may be made under the 2010 Plan and any shares remaining available for grant under the 2010 Plan will become available under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan as described below.

 

The 2014 Equity Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee, which is comprised of independent directors. The 2014 Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of the following types of awards to the Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants: nonqualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards (“RSUs”), stock bonus awards, incentive bonus awards, other awards or any combination of the foregoing that may be settled in or based upon the Company’s Class A Common Stock or in cash. Performance-based awards may be granted in the form of restricted stock, RSUs, stock-bonus awards, incentive bonus awards or other awards that are paid in cash, shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or a combination of both. The value of these awards will be linked to the achievement of one or more performance goals.

 

Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, the maximum number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan is the sum of (i) 5,000,000 shares and (ii) any shares which as of the effective date of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan are available for grant under 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, and (iii) any shares which are subject to awards under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and which subsequently expire or lapse without being exercised, are cancelled or forfeited, are not delivered because such shares are withheld to satisfy the option price and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any such award, or are settled in cash.

 

A more complete description of the other material terms of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan can be found under the heading “Proposal 3: Approval of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan” in the Company’s definitive 2014 Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2014, which description is incorporated by reference herein.  The foregoing description of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and the description incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement are qualified in their entirety by the actual 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, a copy of which is filed with this report as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated herein.

 

(b)

 

None

 

23



Table of Contents

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

4.1

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 11, 2014, between Air Lease Corporation and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2014 (File No. 001-35121).

 

 

 

10.1‡

 

Air Lease Corporation Discretionary Cash Bonus Plan

 

 

 

10.2‡

 

Air Lease Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.3‡

 

Form of Grant Notice and Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 7, 2014 (Registration No. 333-195755).

 

 

 

10.4‡

 

Form of Grant Notice and Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 7, 2014 (Registration No. 333-195755).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and among Air Lease Corporation, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 


 

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

24



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

 

AIR LEASE CORPORATION

 

 

May 8, 2014

/s/ Steven F. Udvar-Házy

 

Steven F. Udvar-Házy

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principle Executive Officer)

 

 

May 8, 2014

/s/ Gregory B. Willis

 

Gregory B. Willis

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

25



Table of Contents

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

4.1

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 11, 2014, between Air Lease Corporation and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2014 (File No. 001-35121).

 

 

 

10.1‡

 

Air Lease Corporation Discretionary Cash Bonus Plan

 

 

 

10.2‡

 

Air Lease Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.3‡

 

Form of Grant Notice and Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 7, 2014 (Registration No. 333-195755).

 

 

 

10.4‡

 

Form of Grant Notice and Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement under the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 7, 2014 (Registration No. 333-195755).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2014, by and among Air Lease Corporation, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent.

 

 

 

12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 


 

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

26