SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
Commission file number 001-33159
AerCap Holdings N.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
The Netherlands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Evert van de Beekstraat 312
1118 CX Schiphol Airport
The Netherlands
+ 31 20 655 9655
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
|
---|---|---|
Ordinary Shares | The New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Ordinary Shares, Euro 0.01 par value | 85,036,957 |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o No ý
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 ý 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 ý | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. o Item 17 ý Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý
Special Note About Forward Looking Statements | ii |
PART I | ||||
Item 1. |
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers |
1 |
||
Item 2. |
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
1 |
||
Item 3. |
Key Information |
1 |
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Risk Factors |
4 |
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Item 4. |
Information on the Company |
22 |
||
Item 4A. |
Unresolved Staff Comments |
44 |
||
Item 5. |
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects |
44 |
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Indebtedness |
70 |
|||
Item 6. |
Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
79 |
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Item 7. |
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions |
89 |
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Item 8. |
Financial Information |
91 |
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Item 9. |
The Offer and Listing |
91 |
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Item 10. |
Additional Information |
92 |
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Item 11. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
107 |
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Item 12. |
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities |
109 |
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PART II |
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Item 13. |
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies |
109 |
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Item 14. |
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds |
109 |
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Item 15. |
Controls and Procedures |
109 |
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Item 16A. |
Audit Committee Financial Expert |
110 |
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Item 16B. |
Code of Conduct |
111 |
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Item 16C. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
111 |
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Item 16D. |
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
111 |
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Item 16E. |
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
111 |
||
PART III |
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Item 17. |
Financial Statements |
112 |
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Item 18. |
Financial Statements |
112 |
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Item 19. |
Exhibits |
112 |
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Signatures |
115 |
|||
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-1 |
i
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report includes forward looking statements, principally under the captions "Item 3. Key InformationRisks Related to our Business", "Item 4. Information on the Company" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects". We have based these forward looking statements largely on our current beliefs and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Many important factors, in addition to those discussed in this annual report, could cause our actual results to differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward looking statements, including, among other things:
The words "believe", "may", "will", "aim", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect" and similar words are intended to identify forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. Forward looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward looking statements because of new information, future events or other factors. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward looking events and circumstances described in this annual report might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance.
ii
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Selected financial data.
The following table presents AerCap Holdings N.V.'s (the successor company) and AerCap B.V.'s (the predecessor company) selected consolidated financial data for each of the periods indicated, prepared in accordance with US GAAP. You should read this information in conjunction with AerCap Holdings N.V.'s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects".
AerCap Holdings N.V. was formed as a Netherlands public limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap") on July 10, 2006 and acquired all of the assets and liabilities of AerCap Holdings C.V., a Netherlands limited partnership on October 27, 2006. This acquisition was a transaction under common control and accordingly, AerCap Holdings N.V. recognized the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of AerCap Holdings C.V. at their carrying values. AerCap Holdings C.V. was formed on June 27, 2005 for the purpose of acquiring all of the shares and certain liabilities of AerCap B.V. (formerly known as debis AirFinance B.V.), in connection with our acquisition by funds and accounts affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., or the 2005 Acquisition. The historical consolidated financial data of AerCap Holdings C.V. are presented as if AerCap Holdings N.V. had been the acquiring entity of AerCap B.V. on June 30, 2005. The financial information presented as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, and the six months ended June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2005, was derived from AerCap Holdings N.V.'s audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The financial information presented as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 was derived from AerCap Holdings N.V. audited consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. The financial information presented as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 was derived from AerCap B.V.'s unaudited consolidated financial statements. The financial information presented includes the results of AeroTurbine from the date of its acquisition on April 26, 2006 to December 31, 2007, referred to herein as the AeroTurbine Acquisition.
1
Consolidated Income Statement Data:
|
AerCap B.V. |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
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Year ended December 31, |
Six months ended June 30 2005 |
Six months ended December 31, 2005(2) |
Year ended December 31, |
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2003(2) |
2004 |
2006(3) |
2007 |
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(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
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Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 343,045 | $ | 308,500 | $ | 162,155 | $ | 173,568 | $ | 443,925 | $ | 554,226 | |||||||
Sales revenue | 7,499 | 32,050 | 75,822 | 12,489 | 301,405 | 558,263 | |||||||||||||
Management fee revenue | 13,400 | 15,009 | 6,512 | 7,674 | 14,072 | 14,343 | |||||||||||||
Interest revenue | 22,432 | 21,641 | 13,130 | 20,335 | 34,681 | 29,742 | |||||||||||||
Other revenue | 84,568 | 13,667 | 3,459 | 1,006 | 20,336 | 19,947 | |||||||||||||
Total revenues | 470,944 | 390,867 | 261,078 | 215,072 | 814,419 | 1,176,521 | |||||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 143,303 | 125,877 | 66,407 | 45,918 | 102,387 | 141,113 | |||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 6,657 | 18,992 | 57,632 | 10,574 | 220,277 | 432,143 | |||||||||||||
Interest on debt | 123,435 | 113,132 | 69,857 | 44,742 | 166,219 | 234,770 | |||||||||||||
Impairments(4) | 6,066 | 134,671 | | | | | |||||||||||||
Other expenses | 64,010 | 68,856 | 32,386 | 26,524 | 46,523 | 39,746 | |||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses(a) | 39,267 | 36,449 | 19,559 | 26,949 | 149,364 | 116,328 | |||||||||||||
Total expenses | 382,738 | 497,977 | 245,841 | 154,707 | 684,770 | 964,100 | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest | 88,206 | (107,110 | ) | 15,237 | 60,365 | 129,649 | 212,421 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
(32,939 | ) | 224 | 556 | (10,604 | ) | (21,246 | ) | (25,123 | ) | |||||||||
Minority interest, net of tax | | | | | 588 | 1,155 | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 55,267 | $ | (106,886 | ) | $ | 15,793 | $ | 49,761 | $ | 108,991 | $ | 188,453 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per share, basic and diluted | $ | 75.07 | $ | (145,19 | ) | $ | 21.45 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 1.38 | $ | 2.22 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 736,203 | 736,203 | 736,203 | 78,236,957 | 78,982,162 | 85,036,957 |
2
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
|
AerCap B.V. |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
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As of December 31, |
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2003(1) |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
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(US dollars in thousands) |
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Assets | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 131,268 | $ | 143,640 | $ | 183,554 | $ | 131,201 | $ | 241,736 | |||||
Restricted cash | 206,572 | 118,422 | 157,730 | 112,277 | 95,072 | ||||||||||
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net | 2,484,850 | 2,748,347 | 2,189,267 | 2,966,779 | 3,050,160 | ||||||||||
Notes receivable, net of provisions | 188,616 | 250,774 | 196,620 | 167,451 | 184,820 | ||||||||||
Prepayments on flight equipment | 160,624 | 135,202 | 115,657 | 166,630 | 247,839 | ||||||||||
Other assets | 294,310 | 207,769 | 218,371 | 373,697 | 574,600 | ||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,466,240 | $ | 3,604,154 | $ | 3,061,199 | $ | 3,918,036 | $ | 4,394,227 | |||||
Debt | 2,763,666 | 3,115,492 | 2,172,995 | 2,555,139 | 2,892,744 | ||||||||||
Other liabilities | 526,488 | 419,643 | 468,575 | 611,893 | 551,110 | ||||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 176,088 | 64,019 | 419,761 | 751,004 | 950,373 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 3,466,240 | $ | 3,604,154 | $ | 3,061,199 | $ | 3,918,036 | $ | 4,394,227 | |||||
3
Risks Related to Our Business
Our business model depends on the continual re-leasing of our aircraft and engines when current leases expire, and we may not be able to do so on favorable terms, if at all.
Our business model depends on the continual re-leasing of our aircraft and engines when our current leases expire in order to generate sufficient revenues to finance our growth and operations and pay our debt service obligations. Between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2010, aircraft leases accounting for approximately 40.4% of our lease revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007, are scheduled to expire and the aircraft subject to those leases will need to be re-leased or extended. In addition, nearly all of our engines are subject to short-term leases, which are generally less than 180 days. Our ability to re-lease our aircraft and engines will depend on general market and competitive conditions at the time the leases expire. The general market and competitive conditions may be affected by many factors which are outside of our control.
In 2007, we generated $73.7 million of revenues from leases that were scheduled to expire in 2008, $101.9 million of revenues from leases that are scheduled to expire in 2009 and $48.4 million of revenues from leases that were scheduled to expire in 2010. Since we lease most of our engines under short-term leases (90 to 180 days), we generally re-lease our engines at least once a year. If we are unable to re-lease an aircraft or engine on acceptable terms, our lease revenue may decline and we may need to sell the aircraft or engines at unfavorable prices to provide adequate funds for our debt service obligations and to otherwise finance our growth and operations.
Turmoil in US financial markets initiated during mid-2007 by losses related to sub-prime lending and gradually spreading to global financial markets and impacting most classes of lending has caused banks and financial institutions to decrease the amount of capital available for lending and has significantly increased the risk premium of such borrowings. We will need additional capital to finance our obligations under forward purchase commitments and to finance additional growth, and we may not be able to obtain it on terms acceptable to us, if at all, which may cause us to not meet our obligations under forward purchase commitments and restrict our ability to grow and compete in the aircraft and engine leasing and trading markets.
We will need additional capital to expand our business by acquiring additional aircraft, engines and other aviation assets, and financing may not be available to us or may be available to us but only on terms that are unfavorable. As of December 31, 2007, we had 68 new A320 family aircraft and 30 new A330 widebody aircraft on order from Airbus. If we acquire all 98 of the Airbus aircraft, over the next five years, we would expect to incur in excess of $4 billion of indebtedness to finance the purchase price of these aircraft. Our commitments under forward purchase commitments exceed our current available cash balances and amounts available under committed borrowing facilities. In addition, defaults by banks with whom we have committed borrowing facilities may decrease the amount available under committed borrowing facilities. We may not be able to find adequate sources of capital to fund all of our forward purchase commitments or we may be able to access sufficient capital to fund our forward purchase commitments and fund other growth, but at terms that will negatively impact our profitability, growth, liquidity and ability to compete in our market. Further, if additional capital is raised through the issuance of additional equity securities, the percentage ownership of our then current shareholders would be diluted. Newly issued equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of our ordinary shares. See "Item 10. Additional InformationMemorandum and articles of association".
Our substantial indebtedness incurred to acquire our aircraft and engines requires significant debt service payments.
As of December 31, 2007, our consolidated indebtedness was $2.9 billion and our interest expense (including the impact of hedging activities) was $234.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
4
Due to the capital intensive nature of our business and our strategy of expanding our aircraft and engine portfolios, we expect that we will incur additional indebtedness in the future and continue to maintain high levels of indebtedness. High levels of indebtedness may limit our cash flow available for capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may have a material adverse effect on our earnings and growth prospects.
In addition, covenants in some of the indebtedness incurred by our subsidiaries prevent our subsidiaries from paying dividends to us in excess of defined limits. Also, the terms of the Aircraft Lease Securitisation indebtedness allow for distributions on the subordinated notes held by us only after the senior class of notes is redeemed.
Default by joint venture partners in joint venture agreements may trigger liquidity and financial difficulties in our joint venture vehicles and may require us to contribute additional financial resources to support the value of our investments in such vehicles.
The financial viability of joint venture vehicles in which we have ownership interests depends upon the ability of joint venture partners to provide adequate liquidity to fund operations and contracted growth. If our joint venture partners in such interests cannot or do not fulfill such obligations, we will have to provide the necessary liquidity or find alternative partners to do so in order to prevent the joint venture vehicle from defaulting on material obligations.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
We use floating rate debt to finance the acquisition of a significant portion of our aircraft and engines. All of our revolving credit facilities have floating interest rates. As of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, we had $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, of indebtedness outstanding that was floating rate debt. We incurred floating rate interest expense of $149.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. If interest rates increase, we would be obligated to make higher interest payments to our lenders. Our practice has been to hedge the expected future interest payments on a portion of our floating-rate liabilities by entering into derivative contracts. However, we remain exposed to changes in interest rates to the extent that our hedges are not perfectly correlated to our financial liabilities. In addition, if we incur significant fixed rate debt in the future, increased interest rates prevailing in the market at the time of the incurrence or refinancing of such debt will also increase our interest expense.
Changes in interest rates may also adversely affect our lease revenues generated from leases with lease rates tied to floating interest rates. In the year ended December 31, 2007, 26.0% of our lease revenue was attributable to leases tied to floating interest rates. Therefore, if interest rates were to decrease, our lease revenue would decrease. In addition, because our fixed rate leases are based, in part, on prevailing interest rates at the time we enter into the lease; if interest rates decrease, new leases we enter into will be at lower lease rates and our lease revenue will be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2007, if interest rates were to increase by 1%, we would expect to incur an increase in interest expense on our floating rate indebtedness of approximately $2.4 million on an annualized basis, including the offsetting benefits of interest rate hedges currently in effect, and, if interest rates were to decrease by 1%, we would expect to generate $5.5 million less lease revenue on an annualized basis.
The business of leasing, financing and sales of aircraft, engines, and parts has historically experienced prolonged periods of oversupply during which lease rates and aircraft values have declined, and any future oversupply could materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
In the past, the aircraft and engine leasing, buying and selling businesses have experienced prolonged periods of aircraft and engine oversupply. The oversupply of a specific type of aircraft or engine is likely to depress the lease rates for and the value of that type of aircraft or engine. The
5
supply and demand for aircraft and engines is affected by various cyclical and non-cyclical factors that are outside of our control, including:
These factors may produce sharp and prolonged decreases in aircraft and engine lease rates and values, and have a material adverse effect on our ability to re-lease our aircraft and engines and/or sell our aircraft engines and parts at acceptable prices. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Our financial condition is dependent, in part, on the financial strength of our lessees; lessee defaults and other credit problems could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Our financial condition depends on the financial strength of our lessees, our ability to appropriately assess the credit risk of our lessees and the ability of lessees to perform under our leases. In 2007, we generated 471% of our revenues from leases to the airline industry, and as a result, we are indirectly affected by all the risks facing airlines today. The ability of our lessees to perform their obligations under our leases will depend primarily on the lessee's financial condition and cash flow, which may be affected by factors outside our control, including:
6
Generally, airlines with high debt leverage are more likely than airlines with stronger balance sheets to seek operating leases. As a result, most of our existing lessees are not rated investment grade by the principal U.S. rating agencies and may suffer liquidity problems, and, at any point in time, may experience lease payment difficulties or be significantly in arrears in their obligations under our leases. Current turmoil in global capital markets may have an additional negative effect on the ability of airlines to find adequate sources of financing to fund operations. Some lessees encountering financial difficulties may seek a reduction in their lease rates or other concessions, such as a decrease in their contribution toward maintenance obligations. Any future downturns in the airline industry could greatly exacerbate the weakened financial condition and liquidity problems of some of our lessees and further increase the risk of delayed, missed or reduced rental payments. We may not correctly assess the credit risk of each lessee or charge lease rates which correctly reflect the related risks and our lessees may not be able to continue to meet their financial and other obligations under our leases in the future. A delayed, missed or reduced rental payment from a lessee decreases our revenues and cash flow. Our default levels may increase over time if economic conditions deteriorate. If lessees of a significant number of our aircraft or engines default on their leases, our financial results and growth prospects will be adversely affected.
The value and lease rates of our aircraft and engines could decline and this would have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
Aircraft and engine values and lease rates have historically experienced sharp decreases due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, decreases in passenger and air cargo demand, increases in fuel costs, government regulation and increases in interest rates. In addition to factors linked to the aviation industry generally, many other factors may affect the value and lease rates of our aircraft and engines, including:
Any decrease in the value and lease rates of aircraft or engines which may result from the above factors or other unanticipated factors, may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
The concentration of some aircraft and engine models in our aircraft and engine portfolios could adversely affect our business and financial results should any problems specific to these particular models occur.
Due to the high concentration of Airbus A320 family aircraft and CFM International CFM56 family engines in our aircraft and engine portfolios, our financial results and growth prospects may be adversely affected if the demand for these aircraft or engine models declines, if they are redesigned or replaced by their manufacturer or if these aircraft or engine models experience design or technical problems. As of December 31, 2007, 81.8% of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio was
7
represented by Airbus aircraft. Our owned aircraft portfolio included 13 aircraft types, the four highest concentrations of which together represented 84.9% of our aircraft by net book value. The four highest concentrations were Airbus A320 aircraft, representing 37.5% of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio, Airbus A321 aircraft, representing 21.7% of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio, Airbus A319 aircraft, representing 13.0% of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio and Boeing 737 aircraft representing 12.7% of net book value of our aircraft portfolio. No other aircraft type represented more than 10% of our portfolio by net book value. In addition to our significant number of existing Airbus aircraft, we have 68 new Airbus A320 family aircraft on order through our consolidated joint venture, AerVenture, and have 30 new Airbus A330 widebody aircraft on order. We also have a significant concentration of CFM56 engines in our engine portfolio. As of December 31, 2007, 66.9% of the net book value of our engine portfolio was represented by CFM56 engines and 12.8% was represented by CF6 engines.
Should any of these aircraft or engine types or aircraft manufactured by Airbus in general encounter technical or other problems, the value and lease rates of those aircraft or engines will likely decline, and we may be unable to lease the aircraft or engines on favorable terms, if at all. Any significant technical problems with any such aircraft or engine models could result in the grounding of the aircraft or engines.
In addition, if Airbus experiences further financial difficulty or if its current restructuring plan is unsuccessful, we could be adversely affected. Airbus' exposure to a weakening US dollar puts further pressure on the manufacturer to reduce costs. Airbus' restructuring was previously based on a US$1.35 to 1 Euro exchange rate, with each ten cent swing in exchange rate reportedly effecting operating profit by €1 billion. The recent continued decline in the US$ exchange rate toward the Euro is therefore adversely effecting the European manufacturer substantially.
Any decrease in the value and lease rates of our aircraft and engines may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
We are indirectly subject to many of the economic and political risks associated with emerging markets, which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
A significant number of our aircraft and engines are leased to airlines in emerging market countries. As of December 31, 2007, we leased 57.5% of our aircraft and 20.9% of our engines, weighted by net book value, to airlines in emerging market countries. The emerging markets in which our aircraft are operated include Thailand, India, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Jamaica, Malaysia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, Hungary, Russia, Brazil and Indonesia and we may lease aircraft and engines to airlines in other emerging market countries in the future.
Emerging market countries have less developed economies that are more vulnerable to economic and political problems and may experience significant fluctuations in gross domestic product, interest rates and currency exchange rates, as well as civil disturbances, government instability, nationalization and expropriation of private assets and the imposition of taxes or other charges by government authorities. The occurrence of any of these events in markets served by our lessees and the resulting economic instability that may arise could adversely affect the value of our ownership interest in aircraft or engines subject to lease in such countries, or the ability of our lessees which operate in these markets to meet their lease obligations. As a result, lessees which operate in emerging market countries may be more likely to default than lessees that operate in developed countries. In addition, legal systems in emerging market countries may be less developed, which could make it more difficult for us to enforce our legal rights in such countries. For these and other reasons, our financial results and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected by adverse economic and political developments in emerging market countries.
8
If our lessees encounter financial difficulties and we decide to restructure our leases, the restructuring would likely result in less favorable leases which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
If a lessee is late in making payments, fails to make payments in full or in part under a lease or has advised us that it will fail to make payments in full or in part under a lease in the future, we may elect or be required to restructure the lease, which could result in less favorable terms or termination of a lease without receiving all or any of the past due amounts. We may be unable to agree upon acceptable terms for some or all of the requested restructurings and as a result may be forced to exercise our remedies under those leases. If we, in the exercise of our remedies, repossess an aircraft or engine, we may not be able to re-lease the aircraft or engine promptly at favorable rates, if at all. You should expect that restructurings and/or repossessions with some lessees will occur in the future. The terms and conditions of possible lease restructurings may result in a significant reduction of lease revenue, which may adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
If we or our lessees fail to maintain our aircraft or engines, their value may decline and we may not be able to lease or re-lease our aircraft and engines at favorable rates, if at all, which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
We may be exposed to increased maintenance costs for our leased aircraft and engines associated with a lessee's failure to properly maintain the aircraft or engine or pay supplemental maintenance rent. If an aircraft or engine is not properly maintained, its market value may decline which would result in lower revenues from its lease or sale. Under our leases, our lessees are primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft and engines and complying with all governmental requirements applicable to the lessee and the aircraft and engines, including operational, maintenance, government agency oversight, registration requirements and airworthiness directives. Although we require many of our lessees to pay us a supplemental maintenance rent, failure of a lessee to perform required maintenance during the term of a lease could result in a decrease in value of an aircraft or engine, an inability to re-lease an aircraft or engine at favorable rates, if at all, or a potential grounding of an aircraft or engine. Maintenance failures by a lessee would also likely require us to incur maintenance and modification costs upon the termination of the applicable lease, which could be substantial, to restore the aircraft or engine to an acceptable condition prior to sale or re-leasing. Supplemental maintenance rent paid by our lessees may not be sufficient to fund our maintenance costs. Our lessees' failure to meet their obligations to pay supplemental maintenance rent or perform required scheduled maintenance or our inability to maintain our aircraft or engines may materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Competition from other aircraft or engine lessors with greater resources or a lower cost of capital than us could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The aircraft and engine leasing industry is highly competitive. Our competition is comprised of major aircraft leasing companies including GE Commercial Aviation Services, International Lease Finance Corp., CIT Aerospace, Aviation Capital Group, RBS Aviation Capital, AWAS, Babcock & Brown, Boeing Capital Corp., Macquarie Air Finance and AirCastle Advisors, and six major engine leasing companies, including GE Engine Leasing, Engine Lease Finance Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Engine Leasing LLC, Willis Lease Finance Corporation, Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance and Shannon Engine Support Ltd. Some of our competitors are significantly larger and have greater resources or lower cost of capital than us; accordingly, they may be able to compete more effectively in one or more of our markets. In addition, GE Commercial Aviation Services, through its acquisition of the Memphis Group, Inc., an aircraft parts trading company, in late 2006, is able to operate with an integrated business model similar to our own, and therefore directly compete with each aspect of our business.
In addition, we may encounter competition from other entities such as:
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Some of these competitors have greater operating and financial resources and access to lower capital costs than us. We may not always be able to compete successfully with such competitors and other entities, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
We are exposed to significant regional political and economic risks due to the concentration of our lessees in certain geographical regions which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Through our lessees, we are exposed to local economic and political conditions. Such adverse economic and political conditions include additional regulation or, in extreme cases, requisition of our aircraft or engines. The effect of these conditions on payments to us will be more or less pronounced, depending on the concentration of lessees in the region with adverse conditions. The airline industry is highly sensitive to general economic conditions. A recession or other worsening of economic conditions or a terrorist attack, particularly if combined with high fuel prices or a weak Euro or other local currency, may have a material adverse effect on the ability of our lessees to meet their financial and other obligations under our leases.
Lease rental revenues from lessees based in Asia accounted for 33% of our lease revenues in 2007. The outbreak of SARS in 2003 had a significant negative effect on the Asian economy, particularly in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Asian airline industry has since recovered and is currently experiencing strong growth; however, a recurrence of SARS or the outbreak of another epidemic disease, such as avian influenza, which many experts believe would originate in Asia, could materially and adversely affect the Asian airline industry.
Lease rental revenues from lessees based in Europe accounted for 39% of our lease revenues in 2007. Commercial airlines in Europe face, and can be expected to continue to face, increased competitive pressures, in part as a result of the deregulation of the airline industry by the European Union and the resulting expansion of low-cost carriers. European countries generally have relatively strict environmental regulations and traffic constraints that can restrict operational flexibility and decrease aircraft productivity, which could significantly increase operating costs of all aircraft, including our aircraft, thereby adversely affecting our lessees.
Lease rental revenues from lessees based in North America, accounted for 16% of our lease revenues in 2007. During the past 16 years, a number of North American passenger airlines filed for bankruptcy and several major U.S. airlines ceased operations altogether. The outbreak of SARS, the war and prolonged conflict in Iraq and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States have imposed additional financial burdens on most U.S. airlines as a result of increased expenses due to tightened security requirements and have in certain cases led to a temporary reduction in demand for air travel.
Lease rental revenues from lessees based in Latin America accounted for 10% of our lease revenues in 2007. The economies of Latin American countries are generally characterized by lower levels of foreign investment and greater economic volatility when compared to industrialized countries. Lease rental revenues from lessees based in the Caribbean accounted for 2% of our lease revenues in 2007. Any economic downturn in the Latin American or the Caribbean economies may adversely affect the operations of our lessees in these regions.
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Aircraft have limited economically useful lives and depreciate over time, which can adversely affect our financial condition and growth prospects.
As our aircraft age, they will depreciate and generally the aircraft will generate lower revenues and cash flows. If we do not replace our older depreciated aircraft with newer aircraft, our ability to maintain or increase our revenues and cash flows will decline. In addition, since we depreciate our aircraft for accounting purposes on a straight line basis to the aircraft's estimated residual value over its estimated useful life, if we dispose of an aircraft for a price that is less than the depreciated book value of the aircraft on our balance sheet, we will recognize a loss on the sale.
The advanced age of some of our aircraft may cause us to incur higher than anticipated maintenance expenses, which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
As of December 31, 2007, we owned 62 aircraft that were over ten years of age, representing 25.3% of the net book value of our aircraft portfolio. In general, the costs of operating an aircraft, including maintenance expenditures, increase as the aircraft ages. In addition, older aircraft are typically less fuel-efficient, noisier and produce higher levels of emissions, than newer aircraft and may be more difficult to re-lease or sell. In a depressed market, the value of older aircraft may decline more rapidly than the values of newer aircraft and our operating results may be adversely affected. Increased variable expenses like fuel, maintenance and increased governmental regulation could make the operation of older aircraft or engines less profitable and may result in increased lessee defaults. Incurring higher than anticipated maintenance expenses associated with the advanced age of some of our aircraft or our inability to sell or re-lease such older aircraft would materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The advent of superior aircraft and engine technology could cause our existing aircraft and engine portfolio to become outdated and therefore less desirable, which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
As manufacturers introduce technological innovations and new types of aircraft and engines, some of the aircraft and engines in our aircraft and engine portfolios may become less desirable to potential lessees. In addition, the imposition of increased regulation regarding stringent noise or emissions restrictions may make some of our aircraft and engines less desirable in the marketplace. Any of these risks may adversely affect our ability to lease or sell our aircraft or engines on favorable terms, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
If our lessees' insurance coverage is insufficient, it could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
While we do not directly control the operation of any of our aircraft or engines, by virtue of holding title to aircraft, directly or indirectly, in certain jurisdictions around the world, we could be held strictly liable for losses resulting from the operation of our aircraft and engines, or may be held liable for those losses on other legal theories. We require our lessees to obtain specified levels of insurance and indemnify us for, and insure against, liabilities arising out of their use and operation of the aircraft.
However, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, aviation insurers significantly reduced the amount of insurance coverage available to airlines for liability to persons other than employees or passengers for claims resulting from acts of terrorism, war or similar events. At the same time, aviation insurers significantly increased the premiums for third-party war risk and terrorism liability insurance and coverage in general. As a result, the amount of third-party war risk and terrorism liability insurance that is commercially available at any time may be below the amount stipulated in our leases.
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Our lessees' insurance or other coverage may not be sufficient to cover all claims that may be asserted against us arising from the operation of our aircraft and engines by our lessees. Inadequate insurance coverage or default by lessees in fulfilling their indemnification or insurance obligations will reduce the proceeds that would be received by us in the event we are sued and are required to make payments to claimants, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
If we incur significant costs resulting from lease defaults it could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
If we are required to repossess an aircraft or engine after a lessee default, we may be required to incur significant unexpected costs. Those costs include legal and other expenses of court or other governmental proceedings, including the cost of posting surety bonds or letters of credit necessary to effect repossession of aircraft or engine, particularly if the lessee is contesting the proceedings or is in bankruptcy. In addition, during these proceedings the relevant aircraft or engine is not generating revenue. We may also incur substantial maintenance, refurbishment or repair costs that a defaulting lessee has failed to pay and that are necessary to put the aircraft or engine in suitable condition for re-lease or sale. It may also be necessary to pay off liens, taxes and other governmental charges on the aircraft to obtain clear possession and to remarket the aircraft effectively, including, in some cases, liens that the lessee may have incurred in connection with the operation of its other aircraft. We may also incur other costs in connection with the physical possession of the aircraft or engine.
We may also suffer other adverse consequences as a result of a lessee default and the related termination of the lease and the repossession of the related aircraft or engine. Our rights upon a lessee default vary significantly depending upon the jurisdiction and the applicable law, including the need to obtain a court order for repossession of the aircraft and/or consents for de-registration or re-export of the aircraft. When a defaulting lessee is in bankruptcy, protective administration, insolvency or similar proceedings, additional limitations may apply. Certain jurisdictions give rights to the trustee in bankruptcy or a similar officer to assume or reject the lease or to assign it to a third-party, or entitle the lessee or another third-party to retain possession of the aircraft or engine without paying lease rentals or performing all or some of the obligations under the relevant lease. In addition, certain of our lessees are owned in whole, or in part, by government-related entities, which could complicate our efforts to repossess our aircraft or engines in that government's jurisdiction. Accordingly, we may be delayed in, or prevented from, enforcing certain of our rights under a lease and in re-leasing the affected aircraft or engine.
If we repossess an aircraft or engine, we will not necessarily be able to export or de-register and profitably redeploy the aircraft or engine. For instance, where a lessee or other operator flies only domestic routes in the jurisdiction in which the aircraft or engine is registered, repossession may be more difficult, especially if the jurisdiction permits the lessee or the other operator to resist de-registration. We may also incur significant costs in retrieving or recreating aircraft or engine records required for registration of the aircraft or engine, and in obtaining the certificate of airworthiness for an aircraft. If we incur significant costs repossessing our aircraft or engines, are delayed in repossessing our aircraft or engines or are unable to obtain possession of our aircraft or engines as a result of lessee defaults, our financial results and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
If our lessees fail to appropriately discharge aircraft liens, we may be obligated to pay the aircraft liens, which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
In the normal course of their business, our lessees are likely to incur aircraft and engine liens that secure the payment of airport fees and taxes, custom duties, air navigation charges, including charges imposed by Eurocontrol, landing charges, crew wages, repairer's charges, salvage or other liens that may attach to our aircraft or engine. These liens may secure substantial sums that may, in certain
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jurisdictions or for certain types of liens, particularly liens on entire fleets of aircraft, exceed the value of the particular aircraft or engine to which the liens have attached. Aircraft and engines may also be subject to mechanical liens as a result of routine maintenance performed by third parties on behalf of our customers. Although the financial obligations relating to these liens are the responsibility of our lessees, if they fail to fulfill their obligations, the liens may attach to our aircraft or engines and ultimately become our responsibility. In some jurisdictions, aircraft and engine liens may give the holder thereof the right to detain or, in limited cases, sell or cause the forfeiture of the aircraft or engine.
Until they are discharged, these liens could impair our ability to repossess, re-lease or sell our aircraft or engines. Our lessees may not comply with their obligations under their leases to discharge aircraft liens arising during the terms of their leases. If they do not, we may find it necessary to pay the claims secured by such aircraft liens in order to repossess the aircraft or engine. Such payments would materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Failure to obtain certain required licenses, certificates and approvals could adversely affect our ability to re-lease or sell aircraft and engines, our ability to perform maintenance services or to provide cash management services, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Under our leases, we may be required in some instances to obtain specific licenses, consents or approvals for different aspects of the leases. These required items include consents from governmental or regulatory authorities for certain payments under the leases and for the import, re-export or deregistration of the aircraft and engines. Subsequent changes in applicable law or administrative practice may increase such requirements. In addition, a governmental consent, once given, might be withdrawn. Furthermore, consents needed in connection with future re-leasing or sale of an aircraft or engine may not be forthcoming. To perform some of our cash management services and insurance services from Ireland under our management arrangements with our joint ventures and securitization entities, we require a license from the Irish regulatory authorities, which we have obtained. In addition, to meet our MRO customers' requirements to maintain certain flight certifications, AeroTurbine requires certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, and European Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, which it has obtained. A failure to maintain these licenses or certificates or obtain any required license or certificate, consent or approval, or the occurrence of any of the foregoing events, could adversely affect our ability to provide qualifying services or re-lease or sell our aircraft or engines, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to operate in some countries is restricted by foreign regulations and controls on investments.
Many countries restrict or control foreign investments to varying degrees, and additional or different restrictions or policies adverse to us may be imposed in the future. These restrictions and controls have limited, and may in the future restrict or preclude, our investment in joint ventures or the acquisition of businesses outside of the United States, or may increase the cost to us of entering into such transactions. Various governments, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region, require governmental approval before foreign persons may make investments in domestic businesses and also limit the extent of any such investments. Furthermore, various governments may require governmental approval for the repatriation of capital by, or the payment of dividends to, foreign investors. Restrictive policies regarding foreign investments may increase our costs of pursuing growth opportunities in foreign jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
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There are a limited number of aircraft and engine manufacturers and the failure of any manufacturer to meet its aircraft and engine delivery obligations to us could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The supply of commercial jet aircraft is dominated by two airframe manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, and three engine manufacturers, GE Aircraft Engines, Rolls-Royce plc and Pratt & Whitney. As a result, we are dependent on these manufacturers' success in remaining financially stable, producing products and related components which meet the airlines' demands and fulfilling their contractual obligations to us. For Airbus, the impact of delayed deliveries of the A380 have resulted in substantial financial losses for the manufacturer, which subsequently forced Airbus to resort to a significant cost saving program. In addition, the strengthening of the Euro against a weakening US dollar has put further cost pressure on Airbus. Although Boeing is not exposed to the same Euro-US dollar currency risk, announced delays in the Boeing 787 program could potentially lead to similar consequences to those resulting from the Airbus A380 program delays.
The record number of orders obtained by both Airbus and Boeing over the last few years has lead to an unprecedented production backlog. Absent an increase in production capability or a significant number of order cancellations at Airbus or Boeing, we expect that our short-term growth due to new aircraft orders will remain difficult.
Should the manufacturers fail to respond appropriately to changes in the market environment or fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, we may experience:
We and our customers are subject to various environmental regulations that may have an adverse impact on our financial results and growth prospects.
Governmental regulations regarding aircraft and engine noise and emissions levels apply based on where the relevant airframe is registered, and where the aircraft is operated. For example, jurisdictions throughout the world have adopted noise regulations which require all aircraft to comply with noise level standards. In addition, the United States and the International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, have adopted a more stringent set of standards for noise levels which apply to engines manufactured or certified beginning in 2006. Currently, United States regulations do not require any phase-out of aircraft that qualify with the older standards, but the European Union established a framework for the imposition of operating limitations on aircraft that do not comply with the newer
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standards. These regulations could limit the economic life of our aircraft and engines, reduce their value, limit our ability to lease or sell the non-compliant aircraft and engines or, if engine modifications are permitted, require us to make significant additional investments in the aircraft and engines to make them compliant.
In addition to more stringent noise restrictions, the United States and other jurisdictions are beginning to impose more stringent limits on the emission of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions from engines. Though current emissions control laws generally apply to newer engines, new laws could be passed in the future that also impose limits on older engines, and therefore any new engines we purchase, as well as our older engines, could be subject to existing or new emissions limitations. Limitations on emissions could favor the use of larger wide-body aircraft since they generally produce lower levels of emissions per passenger, which could adversely affect our ability to re-lease or otherwise dispose of our narrow-body aircraft on a timely basis, at favorable terms, or at all. This is an area of law that is rapidly changing, and while we do not know at this time whether new emission control laws will be passed, and if passed what impact such laws might have on our business, any future emissions limitations could adversely affect us.
Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in the United States, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, and the health and safety of its employees. A violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines, permit revocation or other damages. Many of these laws impose liability for clean-up of contamination that may exist at our facilities (even if we did not know of or were not responsible for the contamination) or related personal injuries or natural resource damages or costs relating to contamination at third-party waste disposal sites where we have sent or may send waste. We cannot assure you that we will be at all times in complete compliance with these laws, regulations or permits. We may have liability under environmental laws or be subject to legal actions brought by governmental authorities or other parties for actual or alleged violations of, or liability under, environmental, health and safety laws, regulations or permits.
We are the manager for several securitization vehicles and joint ventures and our financial results would be adversely affected if we were removed from these positions.
We are the aircraft manager for various securitization vehicles, joint ventures and third parties and receive annual fees for these services. In 2007, we generated revenue of $14.3 million from providing aircraft management services to non-consolidated securitization vehicles and joint ventures and third parties. We may be removed as manager by the affirmative vote of a requisite number of holders of the securities issued by the securitization vehicles upon the occurrence of specified events and at specified times under our joint venture agreements. If we are removed, in the case of our consolidated securitization vehicles and joint ventures, our expenses would increase since such securitization vehicles or joint ventures would have to hire an outside aircraft manager and, in the case of non-consolidated securitization vehicles, joint ventures and third parties, our revenues would decline as a result of the loss of our fees for providing management services to such entities. If we are removed as aircraft manager for any securitization vehicle or joint venture that generates a significant portion of our management fees, our financial results and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
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Our limited control over our joint ventures may delay or prevent us from implementing our business strategy which may adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
We are currently joint venture partners in several joint ventures, including AerVenture, a consolidated joint venture which has entered into a purchase agreement with Airbus for the purchase of up to 70 A320 family aircraft, and it is our strategy to enter into additional joint ventures in the future. Under the AerVenture joint venture agreement, we share control over significant decisions with our joint venture partner. For example, we may not, without the consent of our AerVenture joint venture partner, cause AerVenture to incur any debt outside the ordinary course of business, buy or sell assets or pay dividends to us. Since we have limited control over AerVenture and certain of our other joint ventures and may not be able to exercise control over any future joint venture, we may not be able to require AerVenture or such other joint ventures to take actions that we believe are necessary to implement our business strategy. Accordingly, this limited control could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
The departure of senior managers could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, upon the continued service of our senior management personnel. For a description of the senior management team, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees". The departure of senior management personnel, including at AeroTurbine, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business strategy.
In certain countries, an engine affixed to an aircraft may become an accession to the aircraft and we may not be able to exercise our ownership rights over the engine.
In some jurisdictions, an engine affixed to an aircraft may become an accession to the aircraft, so that the ownership rights of the owner of the aircraft supersede the ownership rights of the owner of the engine. If an aircraft is security for the owner's obligations to a third-party, the security interest in the aircraft may supersede our rights as owner of the engine. This legal principle could limit our ability to repossess an engine in the event of an engine lease default while the aircraft with our engine installed remains in such jurisdiction. We would suffer a substantial loss if we were not able to repossess engines leased to lessees in these jurisdictions, which would materially and adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Risks Related to the Aviation Industry
As high fuel prices continue to affect the profitability of the aviation industry, our lessees might not be able to meet their lease payment obligations, which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Fuel costs represent a major expense to companies operating in the aviation industry. Fuel prices fluctuate widely depending primarily on international market conditions, geopolitical and environmental events and currency/exchange rates. As a result, fuel costs are not within the control of lessees and significant increases in fuel costs would materially and adversely affect their operating results.
Factors such as natural disasters can significantly affect fuel availability and prices. In August and September 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita inflicted widespread damage along the Gulf Coast of the United States, causing significant disruptions to oil production, refinery operations and pipeline capacity in the region, and to oil production in the Gulf of Mexico. These disruptions resulted in decreased fuel availability and higher fuel prices.
Fuel prices currently remain at historically high levels. The continuing high cost of fuel has had, and sustained high costs in the future may continue to have, a material adverse affect on airlines' profitability, including our lessees. Due to the competitive nature of the aviation industry, operators have been and may continue to be unable to pass on increases in fuel prices to their customers by increasing fares in a manner that fully off-sets the increased fuel costs they have incurred. In addition,
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they may not be able to manage this risk by appropriately hedging their exposure to fuel price fluctuations. If fuel prices remain at historically high levels or increase further due to future terrorist attacks, acts of war, armed hostilities, natural disasters or for any other reason, they are likely to cause our lessees to incur higher costs and/or generate lower revenues, resulting in an adverse affect on their financial condition and liquidity. Consequently, these conditions may adversely affect our lessees' ability to make rental and other lease payments, result in lease restructurings and/or aircraft and engine repossessions, increase our costs of servicing and marketing our aircraft and engines, impair our ability to re-lease them or otherwise dispose of them on a timely basis at favorable rates or terms, if at all, and reduce the proceeds received for such assets upon any disposition. Any of these events could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
If the effects of terrorist attacks and geopolitical conditions continue to adversely affect the financial condition of the airlines, our lessees might not be able to meet their lease payment obligations, which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
As a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and subsequent terrorist attacks abroad, notably in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, increased security restrictions were implemented on air travel, costs for aircraft insurance and security measures have increased, passenger and cargo demand for air travel decreased and operators have faced and continue to face increased difficulties in acquiring war risk and other insurance at reasonable costs. In addition, war or armed hostilities, or the fear of such events could further exacerbate many of the problems experienced as a result of terrorist attacks. Uncertainty regarding the situation in Iraq and tension over Iran's and North Korea's nuclear programs, may lead to further instability in the Middle East. Future terrorist attacks, war or armed hostilities, or the fear of such events, could further adversely affect the aviation industry and may have an adverse effect on the financial condition and liquidity of our lessees, aircraft and engine values and rental rates, and may lead to lease restructurings or repossessions, all of which could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
Terrorist attacks and adverse geopolitical conditions have adversely affected the aviation industry and concerns about such events could also result in:
Future terrorist attacks, acts of war or armed hostilities may cause certain aviation insurance to become available only at significantly increased premiums, which may only provide reduced amounts of
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coverage that are insufficient to comply with the levels of insurance coverage currently required by aircraft and engine lenders and lessors or by applicable government regulations, or to not be available at all.
Although the Aircraft Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act adopted in the United States on September 22, 2001 and similar programs instituted by the governments of other countries provide for limited government coverage under government programs for specified types of aviation insurance, these programs may not continue and governments may not pay under these programs in a timely fashion.
Future terrorist attacks, acts of war or armed hostilities are likely to cause our lessees to incur higher costs and to generate lower revenues, which could result in an adverse effect on their financial condition and liquidity. Consequently, these conditions may affect their ability to make rental and other lease payments to us or obtain the types and amounts of insurance required by the applicable leases, which may in turn lead to aircraft groundings, may result in additional lease restructurings and repossessions, may increase our cost of re-leasing or selling the aircraft and may impair our ability to re-lease or otherwise dispose of them on a timely basis at favorable rates or on favorable terms, if at all, and may reduce the proceeds received for our aircraft and engines upon any disposition. These results could adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The effects of SARS or other epidemic diseases may adversely affect the airline industry in the future, which might cause our lessees to not be able to meet their lease payment obligations to us, which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The linking of the 2003 outbreak of SARS to air travel materially and adversely affected passenger demand for air travel at that time. While the World Heath Organization's travel bans related to SARS were lifted, SARS had a continuing negative affect on the aviation industry, which was evidenced by a sharp reduction in passenger bookings and the cancellation of many flights after the air travel bans had been lifted. While these effects were felt most acutely in Asia, the effect of SARS on the aviation industry also adversely affected other areas, including North America.
Since 2003, there have been several outbreaks of avian influenza, beginning in Asia and, most recently, spreading to certain parts of Africa and Europe. Although human cases of avian influenza so far have been limited in number, the World Health Organization has expressed serious concern that a human influenza pandemic could develop from the avian influenza virus. In such an event, numerous responses, including travel restrictions, might be necessary to combat the spread of the disease. Additional outbreaks of SARS or other diseases, such as avian influenza, or the fear of such events, could adversely affect passenger demand for air travel and the aviation industry. These consequences could result in our lessees' inability to satisfy their lease payment obligations to us, which in turn would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The passenger aviation industry is inherently cyclical and a significant downturn in the industry would adversely impact our lessees' ability to make payments to us, which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
The years 2001 through 2004 were characterized by falling demand and rising costs. This industry downturn was exacerbated by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, prolonged military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, rising fuel prices, SARS and avian influenza. As a result, the global airline industry experienced significant financial losses. Many airlines, including some of our lessees, announced or implemented reductions in capacity, service and workforce. Additionally, many airlines sought protection under bankruptcy laws. The airline bankruptcies and the reduction in demand led to the grounding of significant numbers of aircraft and engines and the negotiation of reductions in lease rental rates, which depressed aircraft and engine market values.
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While the down cycle has ended and many of the world's airlines are experiencing improved financial performance, there are recent indications that a recession is developing in the United States which could trigger a slowdown or recession in other economies. While it is unclear what the impact of these events may be on the aviation industry an industry downturn is likely to occur again at some point in the future and the impact could be similar to the impact of the prior downturn. Such a downturn would likely place already financially weakened lessees under further duress, once again putting downward pressure on lease rates. As in the previous downturn, the grounding of undesirable older aircraft would also play a role in depressing aircraft and engine market values.
Risks Related to Our Organization and Structure
If the ownership of our ordinary shares continues to be highly concentrated, it may prevent you and other minority shareholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest.
Funds and accounts affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., or Cerberus, own 45.8% of our ordinary shares. As a result, Cerberus may be able to effectively control fundamental corporate matters and transactions, including the appointment of a majority of our directors, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations or acquisitions, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, the amendment of our articles of association and our dissolution. This concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other shareholders, such as a change of control transaction that would result in the payment of a premium to our other shareholders. In addition, this concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our ordinary shares if the perception among investors exists that owning shares in a company with a significant shareholder is not desirable.
We are a Netherlands public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap) and it may be difficult for you to obtain or enforce judgments against us or our executive officers, some of our directors and some of our named experts in the United States.
We were formed under the laws of The Netherlands and, as such, the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the civil liability of our directors will be governed by the laws of The Netherlands and our articles of association. The rights of shareholders under the laws of The Netherlands may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in other jurisdictions. Some of the named experts referred to in this annual report are not residents of the United States, and most of our directors and our executive officers and most of our assets and the assets of our directors are located outside the United States. In addition, under our articles of association, all lawsuits against us and our directors and executive officers shall be governed by the laws of The Netherlands and must be brought exclusively before the Courts of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. As a result, you may not be able to serve process on us or on such persons in the United States or obtain or enforce judgments from U.S. courts against them or us based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to whether the courts of The Netherlands courts would enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions and enforce claims for punitive damages.
Under our articles of association, we indemnify and hold our directors, officers and employees harmless against all claims and suits brought against them, subject to limited exceptions. Under our articles of association, to the extent allowed by law, the rights and obligations among or between us, any of our current or former directors, officers and employees and any current or former shareholder shall be governed exclusively by the laws of The Netherlands and subject to the jurisdiction of The Netherlands courts, unless such rights or obligations do not relate to or arise out of their capacities listed above. Although there is doubt as to whether U.S. courts would enforce such provision in an action brought in the United States under U.S. securities laws, such provision could make judgments obtained outside of The Netherlands more difficult to enforce against our assets in The Netherlands or jurisdictions that would apply Netherlands law.
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Our international operations expose us to economic and legal risks associated with a global business.
We conduct our business in many countries, and we anticipate that revenue from our international operations, particularly from the Asia/Pacific region, will continue to account for a significant amount of our future revenue. There are risks inherent in conducting our business internationally, including:
These factors may have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
If our subsidiaries do not make distributions to us we will not be able to pay dividends.
Substantially all of our assets are held by and our revenues are generated by our subsidiaries. We will be limited in our ability to pay dividends unless we receive dividends or other cash flow from our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our owned aircraft are held through special purpose subsidiaries or finance structures which borrow funds to finance or refinance the aircraft. The terms of such financings place restrictions on distributions of funds to us. If these limitations prevent distributions to us or our subsidiaries do not generate positive cash flows, we will be limited in our ability to pay dividends and may be unable to transfer funds between subsidiaries if required to support our subsidiaries.
Risks Related to Taxation
We may become a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We do not believe we will be classified as a PFIC for the current year. The determination as to whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a complex determination based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances and depends on the classification of various assets and income under PFIC rules. In our case, the determination is further complicated by the application of the PFIC rules to leasing companies and to joint ventures and financing structures common in the aircraft leasing industry. It is unclear how some of these rules apply to us. Further, this determination must be tested annually and our circumstances may change in any given year. We do not intend to make decisions regarding the purchase and sale of aircraft with the specific purpose of reducing the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC. Accordingly, our business plan may result in our engaging in activities that could cause us to become a PFIC. If we are or become a PFIC, U.S. shareholders may be subject to increased U.S. federal income taxes on a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares and on the receipt of certain distributions and will be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax reporting requirements. See "Item 10. Additional InformationU.S. Tax Considerations" for a more detailed discussion of the consequences to you if we are treated as a PFIC and a discussion of certain elections that may be available to mitigate the effects of that treatment. We urge you to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your particular circumstances.
We may become subject to income or other taxes in jurisdictions which would adversely affect our financial results and growth prospects.
We and our subsidiaries are subject to the income tax laws of Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden and the United States and other jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are incorporated or based. In addition, we or our subsidiaries may be subject to additional income or other taxes in these and other
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jurisdictions by reason of the management and control of our subsidiaries, our activities and operations, where our aircraft operate or where the lessees of our aircraft (or others in possession of our aircraft) are located. Although we have adopted guidelines and operating procedures to ensure our subsidiaries are appropriately managed and controlled to reduce the exposure to such additional taxation, we may be subject to such taxes in the future and such taxes may be substantial. The imposition of such taxes could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
We may incur current tax liabilities in our primary operating jurisdictions in the future.
We expect to make current tax payments in some of the jurisdictions where we do business in the normal course of our operations. Our ability to defer the payment of some level of income taxes to future periods is dependent upon the continued benefit of accelerated tax depreciation on our flight equipment in some jurisdictions, the continued deductibility of external and intercompany financing arrangements and the application of tax losses prior to their expiration in certain tax jurisdictions, among other factors. The level of current tax payments we make in any of our primary operating jurisdictions could adversely affect our cash flows and have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
We may become subject to additional Irish taxes based on the extent of our operations carried on in Ireland.
Our Irish tax resident subsidiaries are currently subject to Irish corporate income tax on trading income at a rate of 12.5%, on capital gains at 20%, and on other income at 25%. We expect that substantially all of our Irish income will be treated as trading income for tax purposes in future periods. As of December 31, 2007, we had $328.8 million of Irish tax losses available to carry forward against our trading income. The continued application of the 12.5% tax rate to trading income generated in our Irish tax resident subsidiaries and the ability to carry forward Irish tax losses to shelter future taxable trading income depends in part on the extent and nature of activities carried on in Ireland both in the past and in the future. AerCap Ireland and its Irish tax resident subsidiaries intend to carry on their activities in Ireland so that the 12.5% rate of tax applicable to trading income will apply and that they will be entitled to shelter future income with tax losses that arose from the same trading activity. We may not continue to be entitled to apply our loss carryforwards against future taxable trading income in Ireland.
We may fail to qualify for benefits under one or more tax treaties.
We do not expect that our subsidiaries located outside of the United States will have any material U.S. federal income tax liability by reason of activities we carry out in the United States and the lease of assets to lessees that operate in the United States. However, this conclusion will depend, in part, on continued qualification for the benefits of income tax treaties between the United States and other countries in which we are subject to tax (particularly The Netherlands and Ireland). That in turn may depend on the nature and level of activities carried on by us and our subsidiaries in each jurisdiction, the identity of the owners of equity interests in subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned and the identities of the direct and indirect owners of our indebtedness.
The nature of our activities may be such that our subsidiaries may not continue to qualify for the benefits under income tax treaties with the United States and that may not otherwise qualify for treaty benefits. Failure to so qualify could result in the imposition of U.S. federal taxes which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results and growth prospects.
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Item 4. Information on the Company
We are an integrated global aviation company with a leading market position in aircraft and engine leasing, trading and parts sales. We possess extensive aviation expertise that permits us to extract value from every stage of an aircraft's lifecycle across a broad range of aircraft and engine types. It is our strategy to acquire aviation assets at attractive prices, lease the assets to suitable lessees, and manage the funding and other lease related costs efficiently. We also provide aircraft management services and perform aircraft and engine MRO services and aircraft disassemblies through our certified repair stations. We believe that by applying our expertise through an integrated business model, we will be able to identify and execute on a broad range of market opportunities that we expect will generate attractive returns for our shareholders. We are headquartered in Amsterdam and have offices in Ireland, the United Kingdom, China, Texas, Florida and Arizona with a total of 402 people.
We operate our business on a global basis, providing aircraft, engines and parts to customers in every major geographical region. As of December 31, 2007, we owned 136 aircraft and 67 engines, managed 68 aircraft, had 98 new aircraft and two new engines on order, had entered into purchase contracts for 13 aircraft, had entered into sales contracts for two aircraft and had executed letters of intent to purchase an additional three aircraft and sell three aircraft from our owned portfolio.
We lease most of our aircraft to airlines under operating leases. Under an operating lease, the lessee is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the equipment during the lease term and the lessor receives the benefit, and assumes the risk, of the residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease. As of December 31, 2007, our owned and managed aircraft and engines were leased to 101 commercial airline and cargo operator customers in 48 countries and are managed from our offices in The Netherlands, Ireland, the United Kingdom, China and the United States. We expect to expand our leasing activity in Asia and in China in particular through our AerDragon joint venture with China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation, which commenced operations in October 2006.
We have the infrastructure, expertise and resources to execute a large number of diverse aircraft and engine transactions in a variety of market conditions. From January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, we have executed over 750 aircraft and engine transactions, including 223 aircraft leases, 134 engine leases, 201 aircraft purchase or sale transactions, 108 engine purchase or sale transactions and the disassembly of 37 aircraft and 64 engines. Our teams of dedicated marketing and asset trading professionals have been successful in leasing and trading our aircraft and engine portfolios. Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, our weighted average owned aircraft utilization rate was 98.8%.
We were formed as a Netherlands public limited liability company ("naamloze vennootschap") on July 10, 2006 to acquire all of the assets and liabilities of AerCap Holdings C.V., a Netherlands limited partnership. AerCap Holdings C.V. was formed on June 27, 2005 for the purpose of acquiring all of the shares and certain liabilities of AerCap B.V. (formerly known as debis AirFinance B.V.). On June 30, 2005, AerCap Holdings C.V. acquired all of AerCap B.V.'s shares and the liabilities owed by AerCap B.V. to its prior shareholders for a total consideration of $1.37 billion, $370.0 million of which was funded with equity contributions from funds and accounts affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., or Cerberus. On April 26, 2006, we acquired all of the existing share capital of AeroTurbine, Inc., an engine trading and leasing and parts sales company. On October 27, 2006, AerCap Holdings N.V. acquired all of the assets and liabilities of AerCap Holdings C.V. On November 27, 2006, we completed the initial public offering of 6.8 million of our ordinary shares on The New York Stock Exchange.
Our principal executive offices are located at Evert van de Beekstraat 312, 1118 CX Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands, and our general telephone number is +31 20 655-9655. Our website address is www.aercap.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. Puglisi & Associates is our authorized representative in the United States. The address of
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Puglisi & Associates is 850 Liberty Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711 and their general telephone number is (302) 738-6680.
Our Business Strategy
We intend to pursue the following business strategies:
Leverage Our Ability to Manage Aircraft and Engines Profitably throughout their Lifecycle. We intend to continue to leverage our integrated business model by selectively:
Our ability to profitably manage aircraft throughout their lifecycle depends in part our ability to successfully lease aircraft and engines at profitable rates and our ability to source acquisition opportunities of new and used aircraft at favorable prices.
Expand Our Aircraft and Engine Portfolio. We intend to grow our portfolio of aircraft and engines through portfolio purchases, new aircraft purchases, airline refleetings, and other opportunistic aircraft and engine purchases. We will rely on our experienced team of aircraft and engine market professionals to identify and purchase assets we believe are being sold at attractive prices or that we believe will increase in demand and value. In addition, we will continue to rebalance our aircraft and engine portfolios through acquisitions, sales and selective disassemblies to maintain the appropriate mix of aviation assets to meet our customers' needs.
Focus on High Growth Markets. Although we maintain a geographically diverse portfolio, we focus on high growth airline markets such as the Asia/Pacific market. In May 2006, we entered into a joint venture with China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation, a state-owned aviation service engaged in the import and export of civil aviation products and the leasing and maintenance of aircraft, engines and aviation parts. This joint venture enhances our presence in the increasingly important China market and will enhance our ability to lease our aircraft and engines throughout the entire Asia/Pacific region.
Enter into Joint Ventures. We intend to continue to leverage our leading market position, extensive knowledge of the aircraft and engine leasing markets and aircraft and engine management capabilities by entering into joint ventures that increase our purchasing power and our ability to obtain price discounts on large aircraft orders. For example, by structuring a large aircraft purchase from Airbus through a 50% owned consolidated joint venture, we were able to increase the number of aircraft we ordered from 35 to 70 and obtained significantly more favorable terms than would otherwise have been available to us. We also enter into joint ventures for diversification and risk management purposes. We expect to benefit from greater geographical and product diversity of our entire portfolio through the use of joint venture structures. In addition, we expect to generate fees from our joint ventures by providing them with aircraft management services.
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Obtain Maintenance Cost Savings. We intend to lower our aircraft and engine maintenance costs by using aircraft and engine parts we obtain from the selective disassembly of acquired and existing airframes and engines. We intend to achieve further maintenance cost savings by using our FAA and EASA certified repair station to perform a variety of value-added MRO services on our aircraft and engines that would otherwise be outsourced at significantly higher costs.
Acquire Complementary Businesses. We intend to selectively pursue acquisitions that we believe will enhance our ability to manage aircraft and engines profitably throughout their lifecycle. The synergies, economies of scale and operating efficiencies we expect to derive from our acquisitions will allow us to strengthen our competitive advantages and diversify our sources of revenue.
Aircraft
Overview
We operate our aircraft business on a global basis. As of December 31, 2007, we owned and managed 204 aircraft. We owned 130 aircraft in our aircraft business, managed 68 aircraft and owned an additional six aircraft which we intend to disassemble for the sale of their parts or sell at the end of their leases. As of December 31, 2007, we leased these aircraft to 81 commercial airline and cargo operator customers in 42 countries. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had 68 new Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft on order through our consolidated joint venture, AerVenture and 30 new Airbus A330 widebody aircraft on order. We also entered into a purchase contract for 13 aircraft and had executed letters of intent for the purchase of three additional aircraft. Including all owned and managed aircraft, aircraft under contract or letter of intent and aircraft in our order book, our portfolio totals 318 aircraft as of December 31, 2007.
Over the life of the aircraft, we seek to increase the returns on our investments by managing our aircraft's lease rates, time off-lease, financing costs and maintenance costs, and by carefully timing their sale or disassembly. We lease most of our aircraft to airlines under operating leases. Under an operating lease, the lessee is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the equipment during the lease term and the lessor receives the benefit, and assumes the risk, of the residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease. Rather than purchase their aircraft, many airlines operate their aircraft under operating leases because operating leases reduce their capital requirements and costs and allow them to manage their fleet more efficiently. Over the past 20 years, the world's airlines have increasingly turned to operating leases to meet their aircraft needs.
Our contract lease terms generally range from 12 months to 120 months. By varying our lease terms, we mitigate the effects of changes in cyclical market conditions at the time aircraft become eligible for re-lease. In periods of strong aircraft demand, we seek to enter into medium and long-term leases to lock-in the generally higher market lease rates during those periods, while, in periods of low aircraft demand we seek to enter into short-term leases to mitigate the effects of the generally lower market lease rates during those periods. In addition, we generally seek to reduce our leasing transition costs by entering into lease extensions rather than taking re-delivery of the aircraft and leasing it to a new customer. The terms of our lease extensions reflect the market conditions at the time the lease extension is signed and typically contain different terms than the original lease.
Upon expiration of an operating lease, we extend the lease term, take redelivery of the aircraft, remarket and re-lease it to new lessees, sell the aircraft, or transfer the aircraft to our disassembly business for sale of its parts. Typically, we re-lease our leased aircraft well in advance of the expiration of the then current lease and deliver the aircraft to a new lessee in less than two months following redelivery by the prior lessee. During the period in which an aircraft is in between leases, we typically perform routine inspections and the maintenance necessary to place the aircraft in the required condition for delivery and, in some cases, make modifications requested by our next lessee.
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Our extensive experience, global reach and operating capabilities allow us to rapidly complete numerous aircraft transactions, which enables us to increase the returns on our aircraft investments and reduce the time that our aircraft are not generating revenue for us. We successfully executed 428 aircraft transactions between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007.
The following tables set forth information regarding the aircraft transactions we have executed between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, the number of initial leases and re-leases we entered into, the number of leases we extended, the number of leases we restructured, the number of aircraft we purchased and the number of aircraft we sold. The trends shown in the table reflect the execution of the various elements of our leasing strategy for our owned and managed portfolio, as described further below.
|
Owned Aircraft |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Activity |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Total/ Average |
|||||
New leases | 11 | 15 | 22 | 48 | |||||
Re-leases | 9 | 16 | 10 | 35 | |||||
Extensions of lease contracts | 28 | 15 | 12 | 55 | |||||
Average lease term for new leases (months)(1)(4) | 68.7 | 103.2 | 96.5 | 92.2 | |||||
Average lease term for re-leases (months)(1) | 50.6 | 58.7 | 72.0 | 60.4 | |||||
Average lease term for lease extensions (months)(2) | 23.0 | 22.3 | 46.5 | 27.9 | |||||
Lease restructurings | 6 | 1 | | 7 | |||||
Aircraft purchase | 6 | 41 | 40 | 89 | |||||
Aircraft sales | 21 | 17 | 24 | 64 | |||||
Average aircraft utilization rates(3) | 99.1 | % | 98.9 | % | 98.4 | % | 98.8 | % |
|
Managed Aircraft |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Activity |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Total/ Average |
||||
Re-leases | 23 | 9 | 7 | 39 | ||||
Extensions of lease contracts | 21 | 14 | 6 | 41 | ||||
Average lease term for re-leases (months)(1) | 36.4 | 40.9 | 48.0 | 39.5 | ||||
Average lease term for lease extensions (months)(2) | 30.7 | 21.5 | 46.0 | 29.9 | ||||
Lease restructurings | 1 | 1 | | 2 | ||||
Aircraft purchases | 1 | | | 1 | ||||
Aircraft sales | 9 | 13 | 25 | 47 |
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The tables above illustrate how we have implemented our leasing strategies in response to changing trends in the aircraft leasing market. For example, throughout the years presented above, as strengthening in the commercial airline sector continued, we lengthened the terms of our owned aircraft leases to lock-in the generally higher lease rates prevailing in the market at the time. Leases of new aircraft generally have longer terms than used aircraft which are re-leased. The average lease term for new leases increased significantly in 2006 due to the fact that we contracted to lease six aircraft from our order book to one customer, each for nine years. We experienced a lower level of lease extension activity in 2006 and 2007 and a lower level of re-lease activity in 2007 as we had fewer aircraft requiring remarketing because of the high number of aircraft we re-leased or extended in 2005 that were scheduled to come off-lease in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, our ability to continue to place aircraft on long lease terms reflects the robustness of demand for our aircraft. For our managed aircraft, the decrease in re-lease and extension activity is driven by the reduction of numbers of Dornier 328 aircraft under our management contract with Wings as a result of sales of the aircraft. Average lease terms have lengthened for managed aircraft as is the case for owned aircraft, reflecting the current demand for aircraft capacity worldwide. Lease terms for owned aircraft tend to be longer than for managed aircraft because the average age of our owned fleet is lower than that of our managed fleet and younger aircraft are generally placed for a longer lease term than older aircraft.
Before making any decision to lease an aircraft, we perform a review of the prospective lessee, which generally includes reviewing financial statements, business plans, cash flow projections, maintenance records, operational performance histories, hedging arrangements for fuel, foreign currency and interest rates and relevant regulatory approvals and documentation. We also typically perform on-site credit reviews for new lessees which typically includes extensive discussions with the prospective lessee's management before we enter into a new lease. Depending on the credit quality and financial condition of the lessee, we may require the lessee to obtain guarantees or other financial support from an acceptable financial institution or other third parties.
We require our aircraft lessees to provide us with security deposits in order to protect the value of our assets. We require all of our lessees to provide a security deposit for their performance under their leases, including the return of the aircraft in the specified condition at the expiration of the lease. The size of the security deposit is typically equal to two months' rent.
All of our lessees are responsible for their maintenance costs during the lease term. Based on the credit quality of the lessee, we require some of our lessees to pay supplemental maintenance rent to cover scheduled major component maintenance costs. If a lessee pays the supplemental maintenance rent, we reimburse them for their maintenance costs up to the amount of their supplemental maintenance rent payments. Under the terms of our leases, at lease expiration, to the extent that a lessee has paid us more supplemental maintenance rent than we have reimbursed them for their maintenance costs, we retain the excess rent. In most lease contracts not requiring the payment of supplemental rents, the lessee is required to re-deliver the aircraft in a similar maintenance condition as when accepted under the lease. To the extent that the delivery condition is different from the acceptance condition, there is normally an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at re-delivery. As of December 31, 2007, 42 of our owned aircraft lessees in respect of 80 owned aircraft provided for the payment of supplemental maintenance rent. Whether a lessee pays supplemental maintenance rent or not, we typically agree to compensate a lessee for scheduled maintenance on airframe and engines related to the prior utilization of the aircraft. For this prior utilization, we have typically received compensation from prior lessees.
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In all cases, we require the lessee to reimburse us for any costs we incur if the aircraft is not in the required condition upon redelivery. All of our leases contain extensive provisions regarding our remedies and rights in the event of a default by the lessee, and specific provisions regarding the required condition of the aircraft upon its redelivery.
Our lessees are also responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the leased aircraft and all related costs. We require our lessees to comply with either the FAA, EASA or their foreign equivalent standards.
During the term of our leases, some of our lessees have experienced financial difficulties resulting in the need to restructure their leases. Generally, our restructurings have involved a number of possible changes to the lease's terms, including the voluntary termination of leases prior to their scheduled expiration, the arrangement of subleases from the primary lessee to a sublessee, the rescheduling of lease payments and the exchange of lease payments for other consideration, including convertible bonds, warrants, shares and promissory notes. We generally seek to receive these and other marketable securities from our restructured leases, rather than deferred receivables. In some cases, we have been required to repossess a leased aircraft and in those cases, we have typically exported the aircraft from the lessee's jurisdiction to prepare it for remarketing. In the majority of these situations, we have obtained the lessee's cooperation and the return and export of the aircraft was completed without significant delay, generally within two months. In some situations, however, our lessees have not cooperated in returning aircraft and we have been required to take legal action. In connection with the repossession of an aircraft, we may be required to settle claims on the aircraft or to which the lessee is subject, including outstanding liens on the repossessed aircraft. Since our inception in 1995, we have repossessed 49 aircraft under defaulted leases with 22 different lessees in 15 jurisdictions.
Aircraft Portfolio and Existing Lessees
Our aircraft portfolio consists primarily of modern, technologically advanced and fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft, with a particular concentration of Airbus A320 family. As of December 31, 2007, we owned and managed 204 aircraft. We owned 130 aircraft, managed 68 aircraft and owned an additional six aircraft, which we intend to disassemble for the sale of their parts or sell at the end of their leases. Of the 204 aircraft, 197 were on operating lease and seven were off-lease (one owned and six managed). Of the seven aircraft off-lease, two were subject to our regular remarketing efforts and one aircraft is intended to be disassembled or sold. With respect to the other four aircraft (all Fairchild Dornier 328s), we have been instructed by the client to market the aircraft for sale, rather than seek to re-lease them. As of December 31, 2007, we leased the 197 aircraft on operating leases to 81 commercial airline and cargo operator customers in 42 countries. The weighted average age of our 130 owned aircraft was 7.4 years as of December 31, 2007. We believe that we own one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world.
The following table provides details regarding our aircraft portfolio by type of aircraft as of December 31, 2007:
|
Owned portfolio |
Managed portfolio |
|
|
|
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aircraft type |
Number of aircraft owned |
Percentage of total net book value |
Number of aircraft |
Number of aircraft on order |
Number of aircraft under purchase contract or letter of intent |
Total owned, Managed and ordered aircraft |
||||||
Airbus A300 Freighter | 1 | 1.0 | % | | | | 1 | |||||
Airbus A319 | 13 | 13.0 | % | | 18 | | 31 | |||||
Airbus A320 | 58 | 37.5 | % | 13 | 50 | 3 | 124 | |||||
Airbus A321 | 21 | 21.7 | % | 1 | | | 22 | |||||
Airbus A330 | 6 | 8.6 | % | | 30 | | 36 | |||||
Airbus A340 | | 0.0 | % | 1 | | | 1 |
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Boeing 737 | 22 | 12.7 | % | 30 | | 7 | 59 | |||||
Boeing 757 | 4 | 2.0 | % | 3 | | | 7 | |||||
Boeing 767 | 2 | 1.5 | % | 2 | | | 4 | |||||
Fokker 100 | 2 | 0.2 | % | 1 | | | 3 | |||||
MD-11 Freighter | 1 | 1.1 | % | 1 | | | 2 | |||||
MD-83 | 1 | 0.1 | % | 6 | | 4 | 11 | |||||
MD 82 | 4 | 0.4 | % | 2 | | 2 | 8 | |||||
Fairchild Dornier 328 | | 0.0 | % | 8 | | | 8 | |||||
DC8 | 1 | 0.2 | % | | | | 1 | |||||
Total | 136 | 100.0 | % | 68 | 98 | 16 | 318 | |||||
In the future we may acquire additional freighter aircraft or convert some of our older A320 family passenger aircraft to freighter aircraft.
Aircraft on Order or Subject to Letters of Intent.
We have a large number of new aircraft on order, either directly or indirectly through our consolidated joint venture, AerVenture, and have signed letters of intent for the purchase of a number of additional aircraft.
In January 2006, our consolidated joint venture, AerVenture, placed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 70 new A320 family aircraft. As of December 31, 2007, 68 of the aircraft remained to be delivered under the agreement. The AerVenture order consisted of 18 A319 aircraft and 50 A320 aircraft remaining to be delivered as of December 31, 2007. The initial delivery schedule for the AerVenture aircraft includes 12 aircraft to be delivered before the end of 2008 and 58 aircraft to be delivered before the end of 2010.
In December 2006, we placed an order with Airbus to acquire 20 new A330-200 widebody aircraft. In May 2007, we added an additional ten A330-200 aircraft to this order. The delivery schedule for the 30 A330-200 aircraft order includes two aircraft to be delivered in 2008, eight aircraft in 2009, ten in 2010, four in 2011 and six in 2012.
Aircraft Subject to Purchase and Sale Agreements and Letters of Intent. Although we expect to be able in each case to negotiate and agree on final documentation with respect to our letters of intent, we may not be able to do so and therefore these transactions may not in fact occur.
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The following table provides information regarding the letters of intent and purchase and sale agreements in place and executed as of December 31, 2007.
Aircraft type |
Number of aircraft |
Letter of Intent or Agreement |
New/Used |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purchases | |||||||
McDonnell Douglas 83 | 4 | Purchase Agreement | Used | ||||
McDonnell Douglas 82 | 2 | Purchase Agreement | Used | ||||
Boeing 737-300 | 6 | Purchase Agreement | Used | ||||
Boeing 737-300 | 1 | Letter of intent | Used | ||||
Airbus A320-200 | 2 | Letter of intent | Used | ||||
Airbus A320-100 | 1 | Purchase Agreement | Used | ||||
16 | |||||||
Sales |
|||||||
Airbus A300 | 1 | Sale Agreement | Used | ||||
Airbus A330 | 2 | Exercised Purchase Option | Used | ||||
Fokker 100 | 1 | Sale Agreement | Used | ||||
Fokker 100 | 1 | Letter of intent | Used | ||||
McDonnell Douglas 83 | 1 | Letter of intent | Used | ||||
DC8 | 1 | Letter of intent | Used | ||||
7 | |||||||
In addition to the above, we are in exclusive discussions with an aircraft owner for the purchase and leaseback of 11 Boeing 737-800 aircraft and ten other aircraft, consisting of Boeing 757-200s, 737-400s and 767-300s. We intend to purchase these aircraft through a joint venture company, of which we expect to own 50%. If we are able to reach agreement on the terms of the purchase with the seller and the terms of the joint venture with our joint venture partner, we expect this transaction to close in 2008.
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The following table provides information regarding the percentage of lease revenue arising from leases of aircraft to the indicated lessees of our owned aircraft portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Lessee |
Percentage of 2007 lease revenue |
||
---|---|---|---|
Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. | 6.0 | % | |
Wizz Air Hungary Ltd | 4.2 | % | |
America West Airlines | 4.0 | % | |
My Travel Airways PLC | 3.9 | % | |
Korean Air Lease & Finance Co., Ltd. | 3.4 | % | |
Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. | 3.4 | % | |
Tombo Capital Corporation | 3.3 | % | |
Indian Airlines Ltd. | 3.2 | % | |
TAM | 3.0 | % | |
Asiana Airlines Inc | 3.0 | % | |
Nordeste/Varig | 2.6 | % | |
Gemini Air Cargo Inc. | 2.5 | % | |
Bangkok Airways Co | 2.4 | % | |
Societe Air France | 2.4 | % | |
Air Canada | 2.3 | % | |
SN Brussels Airlines(1) | 2.2 | % | |
British Midland Airways Ltd | 2.1 | % | |
Other(2) | 46.1 | % | |
Total | 100.0 | % |
We lease our aircraft to lessees located in numerous and diverse geographical regions and have focused our leasing efforts on the fast growing Asia/Pacific market.
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The following table sets forth the percentage of our total lease revenue by country in which we lease our owned aircraft for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Country |
Percentage of 2007 lease revenue |
||
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 12.8 | % | |
United States of America | 11.6 | % | |
Thailand | 8.5 | % | |
India | 8.2 | % | |
Republic of Korea | 6.5 | % | |
Brazil | 6.1 | % | |
Hungary | 4.1 | % | |
Canada | 4.0 | % | |
Belgium | 3.9 | % | |
Germany | 3.4 | % | |
Japan | 3.3 | % | |
Turkey | 3.1 | % | |
France | 2.8 | % | |
Indonesia | 2.0 | % | |
Kazakhstan | 1.9 | % | |
Mexico | 1.8 | % | |
Iceland | 1.7 | % | |
El Salvador | 1.5 | % | |
Italy | 1.4 | % | |
Portugal | 1.1 | % | |
Other(1) | 10.3 | % | |
Total | 100.0 | % |
As of December 31, 2007, leases representing approximately 40.4% of our lease revenues in 2007 were scheduled to expire before December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2007, our 130 owned aircraft which are on lease (excluding the six aircraft that we intend to disassemble or sell at the end of their leases) had a weighted average remaining lease period per aircraft of 46 months.
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The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2007 the number of leases that were scheduled to expire between December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2016 as a percentage of our 2007 lease revenue.
Year |
Percentage of 2007 lease revenue(1) |
Number of aircraft with leases expiring(2) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 13.3 | % | 26 | (3) | ||
2009 | 18.4 | % | 27 | (4) | ||
2010 | 8.7 | % | 17 | |||
2011 | 6.6 | % | 13 | |||
2012 | 10.7 | % | 15 | |||
2013 | 10.6 | % | 14 | |||
2014 | 6.2 | % | 9 | |||
2015 | 2.0 | % | 3 | |||
2016 | 1.2 | % | 4 | |||
2017 | | % | | |||
2018 | | % | | |||
2019 | 0.2 | % | 2 | |||
Total | 78.0 | % | 130 |
Aircraft Acquisitions and Dispositions
From January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, we purchased 90 aircraft and sold 111 aircraft. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, we had negotiated and entered into contracts to purchase an additional 98 new aircraft, 30 directly and 68 through a joint venture, entered into a purchase contract to purchase eight used aircraft and have executed letters of intent to purchase an additional three aircraft. By selling our subordinated interests in securitization vehicles at two different occasions in past years, we also disposed of two large portfolios of aircraft totaling 272 aircraft. In addition, on May 11, 2007, we signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of an additional ten A330s, bringing the total number of new aircraft on order to 98 aircraft which remained to be delivered on December 31, 2007. We have a portfolio management team of 24 professionals who are dedicated to sourcing, analyzing and executing aircraft and engine acquisition and disposition opportunities.
Due to the AeroTurbine Acquisition and our large order book of aircraft, we believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of trading opportunities and expand our aircraft portfolio. We believe that our global network of strong relationships with airlines, aircraft manufacturers, MRO service
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providers and commercial and financial institutions gives us a competitive advantage in sourcing and executing transactions.
We purchase new and used aircraft directly from aircraft manufacturers, airlines, financial investors and other aircraft leasing and finance companies. The aircraft we purchase are both on-lease and off-lease, depending on market conditions and the composition of our portfolio. We believe there are additional opportunities to purchase aircraft at attractive prices from investors in aircraft assets who lack the infrastructure to manage their aircraft throughout their lifecycle. The buyers of our aircraft include airlines, financial investors and other aircraft leasing companies. We primarily acquire aircraft at attractive prices in two ways: by purchasing large quantities of aircraft directly from manufacturers to take advantage of volume discounts, and by purchasing portfolios consisting of aircraft of varying types and ages. In addition, we also opportunistically purchase individual aircraft that we believe are being sold at attractive prices, or that we expect will increase in demand and or residual value. Through our airline marketing team, which is in frequent contact with airlines worldwide, we are also able to identify attractive acquisition and disposition opportunities. We sell our aircraft when we believe the market price for the type of aircraft has reached its peak, or to rebalance the composition of our portfolio to meet changing customer demands.
Our dedicated portfolio management group consists of marketing, financial, engineering, technical and credit professionals. Prior to a purchase, this group analyzes the aircraft's price, fit in our portfolio, specification/configuration, maintenance history and condition, the existing lease terms, financial condition and credit-worthiness of the existing lessee, the jurisdiction of the lessee, industry trends, financing arrangements and the aircraft's redeployment potential and value, among other factors.
Our revolving credit facilities are designed to allow us to rapidly execute our trading strategies by providing us with large-scale committed funding to acquire new and used aircraft, engines and parts. As of December 31, 2007, we had $938.9 million of committed undrawn credit facilities that allow us to purchase aircraft of up to 15 years of age and $216.8 million of committed undrawn credit facilities that allow us to purchase a broad variety of aircraft, engine and part types of any age. In connection with the refinancing of Aircraft Lease Securitization in 2007, we repaid $165.8 million of bank debt thereby increasing availability under our commercial bank financings, including our revolving credit facility. We also have $928.1 million of undrawn amounts under borrowing facilities with commercial banks, including facilities guaranteed by European export credit agencies.
Joint Ventures
We expect to conduct an increasing portion of our business in the future through joint ventures. Entering into joint venture arrangements allows us to:
AerVenture. In December 2005, we established AerVenture. In January 2006, LoadAir, an investment and construction company based in Kuwait City, purchased a 50% equity interest in AerVenture. We have invested $25.0 million in AerVenture and LoadAir has invested $25.0 million in AerVenture. We have each agreed to make additional equity contributions of up to $100.0 million. We consolidate AerVenture's financial results in our financial statements. We have developed AerVenture as a joint venture because this structure allows us to leverage our buying power to achieve more favorable aircraft acquisition terms. We have entered into exclusive agreements to provide management and marketing services to AerVenture in return for aircraft management fees and specified incentive fees which are tied to the profitability of AerVenture. Payments under these agreements will not
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provide any additional revenues as a result of consolidation. These agreements may be terminated by AerVenture in 2014. We consolidate AerVenture's financial results in our financial statements.
In January 2006, AerVenture placed an order with Airbus for up to 70 new A320 family aircraft originally scheduled for delivery between 2007 and 2010. Subsequently, AerVenture signed an amendment to the agreement that deferred two deliveries to 2011. In addition, in 2007 AerVenture entered into an amendment under its Airbus contract pursuant to which delivery positions for seven aircraft under the contract were effectively transferred to a third-party buyer. Because retention of the total economic benefit of the transaction to AerVenture is subject to performance criteria by AerVenture and the third-party buyer and subject to ultimate delivery of the aircraft to the third-party buyer, sales recognition for financial reporting purposes has been deferred until delivery of each aircraft. For consistency with the accounting treatment for this amendment, we will continue to include these seven positions as aircraft under order until the third-party has fulfilled its obligations under the amendment and taken delivery of these aircraft.
AerVenture closed a credit facility for a total amount of $119.0, and subsequently increased the size of the facility to $207.5 million that will finance the pre-delivery payments on the first 30 aircraft to be delivered. Upon delivery of the aircraft, AerVenture will be required to arrange financing to cover the entire purchase price, including refinancing the pre-delivery payments, which is not covered by the joint venture's equity contributions. The first two deliveries occurred in 2007 and were financed by AerCap's $1 billion warehouse facility. The remaining delivery schedule includes 10 aircraft to be delivered in 2008 and 58 aircraft to be delivered between 2009 and 2011.
AerDragon. In May 2006, we signed a joint venture agreement with China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation and affiliates of Calyon establishing AerDragon. AerDragon consists of two companies, Dragon Aviation Leasing Company Limited, based in Beijing with a registered capital of $10.0 million and AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited, based in Ireland with a registered capital of $50.0 million. AerDragon is 50% owned by China Aviation and 25% owned by each of us and Calyon. Following receipt of the local Chinese approvals required for it to begin operations, AerDragon commenced operations in October 2006. We act as the exclusive aircraft manager for the joint venture. This contract may be terminated upon the earlier to occur of either July 1, 2009, or the occurrence of specified events, such as AerDragon developing the expertise to manage its own aircraft. In the future, one of the main sources of aircraft for AerDragon is likely to be the acquisition of aircraft through sale leaseback transactions with Chinese airlines. This joint venture enhances our presence in the increasingly important China market and will enhance our ability to lease our aircraft and engines throughout the entire Asia/Pacific region. As of December 31, 2007, we do not consolidate AerDragon's financial results in our financial statements. AerDragon acquired its first aircraft, an Airbus A320 aircraft in February 2007. This aircraft was acquired directly from Airbus through an assignment of our purchase right under our 1999 agreement with Airbus. In October 2007, AerDragon acquired its second A320 aircraft directly from us and we guaranteed the performance of AerDragon under debt secured by the purchased aircraft. In December 2007, AerDragon signed a forward order agreement with Airbus for the delivery of 12 A320 family aircraft.
Annabel and Bella. In 2005, we signed a joint venture agreement with Deucalion Capital Limited to form the Annabel joint venture in which we hold a 27% equity interest. Annabel purchased a used A340 aircraft in 2005. The aircraft is on lease to Sri Lanka Airlines through 2015. In 2006, we signed a joint venture agreement with Deucalion to form the Bella joint venture in which we hold a 50% equity interest. Bella purchased two used Airbus A330-322 aircraft in April 2006, one of which is on lease through 2009 and one of which is on lease through 2013. We receive fee income for providing aircraft management services to both Annabel and Bella. We consolidate Bella's financial results in our financial statements but do not consolidate Annabel's financial results in our financial statements. We do not expect these joint ventures to acquire any more aircraft.
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Relationship with Airbus
We have a close and longstanding mutually advantageous relationship with Airbus. Our relationship dates back to our formation, when DaimlerChrysler AG (formerly known as Daimler-Benz AG), a principal shareholder of European Aeronautic Defense & Space CompanyEADS N.V., an 80% shareholder of Airbus, was one of our founding shareholders. In the last 10 years, we, directly or through our joint ventures, have contracted to purchase over 100 new commercial jet aircraft from Airbus and 24 used aircraft from Airbus. We maintain a wide-ranging dialogue with Airbus seeking mutually beneficial opportunities such as taking delivery of new aircraft on short notice and purchasing used aircraft from airlines seeking to renew their fleet with Airbus aircraft.
Aircraft Services
We are one of the aircraft industry's leading providers of aircraft asset management and corporate services to securitization vehicles, joint ventures and other third parties. As of December 31, 2007, we had aircraft management and administration service contracts with eight parties covering over 199 aircraft (including the 68 aircraft on order by AerVenture), two of which accounted for 71% of our aircraft services revenue in 2007. We categorize our aircraft services into aircraft asset management, administrative services and cash management services. Since we have an established operating system to provide these services to manage our own aircraft assets, the incremental cost of providing aircraft management services to securitization vehicles, joint ventures and third parties is limited. Our primary aircraft asset management activities are:
We charge fees for our aircraft management services based primarily on a mixture of fixed retainer amounts, but we also receive performance-based fees related to the managed aircrafts' lease revenue or sale proceeds, or specific upside sharing arrangements.
We provide cash management and administrative services to securitization vehicles and joint ventures. As of December 31, 2007, we had four cash management agreements with clients holding an aggregate of 243 aircraft in their portfolios and five administrative agency agreements with clients holding an aggregate of 308 aircraft in their portfolios. Cash management services consist of treasury services such as the financing, refinancing, hedging and on going cash management of these vehicles. Our administrative services consist primarily of accounting and secretarial services, including the preparation of budgets and financial statements, and liaising with, in the case of securitization vehicles, the rating agencies.
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Engine and Parts
Overview
On April 26, 2006, we acquired all of the share capital of AeroTurbine. AeroTurbine was established in 1997 and is engaged in engine trading and leasing and the disassembly of airframes and engines for the sale of their component parts to the global aviation industry. We acquired AeroTurbine to:
To facilitate the integration of AeroTurbine, we have entered into three year employment contracts with key members of its senior management. In addition, our indirect shareholders granted key members of AeroTurbine's senior management indirect equity interests in us and other members of senior management were granted stock options directly in us, so that they share a vested interest in achieving the successful integration of our aircraft business with AeroTurbine's engine and parts business.
Engine Acquisitions and Dispositions
Engine sales and purchases is a core part of our engine and parts business. We believe that our market insight and recurring customer relationships have been the key factors underlying our success in this business. In addition, we opportunistically acquire engines that require maintenance work and refurbish those engines in our MRO operations. By pursuing these acquisition strategies, we believe we have been able to acquire our engines at attractive prices.
We purchase engines for which there is high market demand or for which we believe demand will increase in the future. We opportunistically sell and exchange engines when we believe that the realizable value from a sale or exchange will equal or exceed the realizable value that we would expect to receive from leasing or disassembling the engine for the sale of its parts.
In determining whether to purchase or sell an engine, we assess the value of each engine according to a number of factors, including its hardware composition, airworthiness directive compliance and service bulletin status, life-limited parts thresholds, historical maintenance documentation, performance data and material certifications.
Our extensive experience buying, selling, leasing, repairing and disassembling engines for their parts has provided us with in-depth trading and management expertise across the most popular commercial product lines manufactured by General Electric, CFM International, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and International Aero Engines. We conduct extensive technical and maintenance records due diligence before we purchase each engine. Our experienced team of dedicated acquisition and maintenance professionals is composed of 79 licensed aircraft and engine mechanics, 15 licensed inspectors and 12 aircraft maintenance record specialists who track and document the maintenance history of each engine and airframe that is to be acquired. We are frequently able to correct or reconstruct engine maintenance records, which can lower the maintenance and acquisition cost of our engines and aircraft. Since commencing operations in 1997, AeroTurbine has sold over 318 engines, generating revenues in excess of $278 million.
We typically finance the purchase of engines with borrowed funds and internally generated cash flows. We believe that we are able to react more rapidly to engine acquisition opportunities than most of our competitors because we have substantial committed financing and can often identify, conduct due diligence and close on prospective acquisitions in less than one week. We have a $328.0 million committed revolving facility which we can use to fund acquisitions of aircraft, engines and aircraft parts. As of December 31, 2007, we had $216.8 million of funds available under our revolving facility.
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We maintain a diverse inventory of high-demand, modern and fuel-efficient engines. As of December 31, 2007, we owned 67 engines and had two new engines on order through AerVenture. Our engine portfolio consists primarily of CFM56 series engines, one of the most widely used engines in the commercial aviation market. As of December 31, 2007, 54 of our 67 engines were CFM56 series engines manufactured by CFM International. In August 2006, AerVenture entered into a contract with CFM International to acquire four new spare CFM 56-5B and two new spare CFM 56-7B engines. At December 31, 2007, there were two remaining CFM56-7B engines to be delivered in June and September 2008.
We expect to expand and further diversify our engine portfolio in the future through engine acquisitions and aircraft disassemblies. As our aircraft portfolio ages, and specific aircraft become suitable for disassembly, we intend to disassemble such aircraft and remove high demand engines for addition to our engine portfolio, while the remaining airframes and engines will be disassembled for sale of their component parts.
We have the ability to perform limited MRO services on CFM56 series engines, which comprise most of the engines in our engine portfolio. As we obtain sufficient numbers of other engine models, we intend to further develop additional in-house MRO capabilities to achieve greater cost advantages.
Airframe and Engine Disassembly and Parts Sales
Over time, the combined value of a typical aircraft's parts will eventually exceed the value of the aircraft as a whole operating asset, at which time the aircraft may be retired from service. Traditional aircraft lessors and airlines often retire their aircraft by selling or consigning them to companies that specialize in aircraft and engine disassembly. The AeroTurbine Acquisition has allowed us to incorporate this valuable revenue source into our integrated business model, which is focused on managing aircraft and engines throughout their lifecycle.
We sell airframe parts primarily to aircraft parts distributors and MRO service providers. Airframe parts comprise a broad range of aircraft sub-component groups, including avionics, hydraulics and pneumatic systems, auxiliary power units, landing gear, interiors, flight control surfaces, windows and panels. We have disassembled 63 aircraft for the sale of their parts and we believe that we were among the first to voluntarily and strategically disassemble Airbus A320 and A340 family aircraft. Our aircraft disassembly operations are focused on the strategic acquisition of aircraft with engines that are among the most sought after in the secondary market.
We are focused on developing long-term supply relationships with clients that perform MRO services on aircraft and engines. Parts sales allow us to increase the value of our aircraft and engine assets by putting each sub-component (engines, airframes and related parts) to its most profitable use (sale, lease, and/or disassembly for parts sales). In addition, this capability provides us with an additional cost advantage over our non-integrated competitors by providing us with a critical source of low cost replacement engines and parts to support the maintenance of our aircraft and engine portfolios.
Prior to the acquisition of our Goodyear facility, we outsourced the physical disassembly of our airframes into parts, but sold the airframe parts ourselves.
Engine Leasing
Generally, it is uneconomical for aircraft operators with small aircraft fleets to own the quantity of spare engines required to adequately cover their operational requirements. As a result, aircraft operators often lease spare engines when they send out their engines for off-site MRO. Spare engines are generally leased either directly from engine lessors like us, or from the MRO service provider that
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is repairing the aircraft operator's engine. To meet their clients' needs, MRO service providers often lease engines from engine lessors. We are focused on the short-term engine lease market with a typical lease term of 60 to 180 days. Short-term engine leases tend to have higher lease rates than long-term leases, because lessees require the engines on short notice and are willing to pay a premium for the flexibility of a short-term lease. Engines subject to short-term leases typically spend more time off-lease, while they are released with greater frequency.
The short-term engine leasing market has also developed in part in response to airlines' need to rapidly place aircraft back in service in the event of an unexpected engine problem. Short-term engine leases provide an alternative to owning spare engines or entering into long-term leases, where the engines can needlessly sit idle for long periods. To meet clients' urgent engine leasing needs, we typically maintain a substantial inventory of ready-to-lease engines in our off-lease inventory. We believe that our ability to modify and configure most of our lease portfolio engines is an important competitive advantage, since it can facilitate the rapid installation of our engines onto our customers' aircraft. In addition, we have the capability to provide limited on-site maintenance and repair for most of our leased engines which, in some circumstances, enables us to facilitate the return to service of our customers' grounded aircraft.
Our engine leasing customer base is comprised of a wide variety of airlines and cargo and charter operators, in addition to MRO service providers, and other aircraft and engine leasing companies. As of December 31, 2007, we had engines on lease to 27 customers located in 18 countries.
We generally receive a fixed rental payment for our leased engines plus a variable rental payment based on the use of the engine. We typically receive monthly rent for our engines in advance, and additional rent for actual engine operation in arrears to compensate us for the anticipated future maintenance costs of such engines. Our engine lessees generally provide us with a security deposit in the amount of two months rent, in addition to which we receive the first month's rental payment in advance.
On a few occasions, our engine lessees have experienced financial difficulties, requiring us to terminate or restructure our engine leases with the lessee. Over the past nine years, we have only had to resort to legal action for the repossession of engines with two of our lease customers.
Airframe MRO Capability
On August 4, 2006, we leased an aircraft MRO facility located in Goodyear, Arizona, acquired certain assets and hired 74 of the employees working at the facility. In connection with this lease, we acquired an additional certified repair station which is certified by the FAA and EASA and associated equipment which permits us to perform a variety of MRO services on commercial transport aircraft, including aircraft heavy maintenance, limited powerplant repair to engine and line components, which includes starters, generators, hydraulic pumps, and quick engine changes installation. The Goodyear facility includes a 226,000 square foot hangar with the ability to house up to four widebody aircraft, or eight narrowbody aircraft for the purpose of performing heavy maintenance repairs, aircraft disassemblies and engine changes. The ramp area outside of the hangar can facilitate both short and long term storage of up to 14 aircraft. In addition to the hangar and ramp space, there is a significant storage field capable of storing over 100 aircraft. This transaction was primarily made to reduce our cost of aircraft disassembly and to support the expansion of our airframe parts distribution business. Since integration of the Goodyear facility, we have disassembled seven customer owned aircraft. In 2007, we disassembled 10 aircraft and performed heavy airframe maintenance, or a C2 check, on an AerCap managed aircraft, a C2 check on a customer B757-200 and a D check on an MD87 owned with a joint venture partner.
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Financing
Our management analyzes sources of financing based on the pricing and other terms and conditions in order to optimize the return on our investments. We have the ability to access the bank, governmental secured debt, securitization and debt capital markets. We generally do not engage in financing transactions for individual aircraft or engines. In April 2006, we entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by UBS to facilitate our growth strategy and the acquisition of aircraft up to 15 years of age. Simultaneously with the AeroTurbine Acquisition and the closing of the UBS facility, we put in place a $171.0 million facility which was later increased to $328.0 million that enables us to acquire eligible aircraft engines and parts of any age. These facilities provide us with large scale committed financing that will allow us to rapidly execute aircraft portfolio purchases.
Once we obtain sufficient aircraft through our revolving credit facilities, we generally leverage our extensive financing experience and access to the securitization and other long-term debt markets to obtain long-term, lower cost non-recourse financing. Since 1996, we have raised over $20 billion of funding in the global financial markets including over $9 billion of funds through initial issuances and refinancings in the aircraft securitization market. Most recently, in May 2007, we completed a $1.66 billion securitization of 70 aircraft subject to operating leases. This securitization was a refinancing of our 2005 securitization. In the refinancing, we added 28 aircraft to the securitization, including 24 which had been previously secured by a variety of other debt structures and four which had yet to be purchased by us.
Subsidiaries
AerCap Holdings N.V.'s major subsidiaries during 2007 were AerCap B.V., AeroTurbine Inc., AerCap Ireland Ltd., Sunflower Aircraft Leasing Ltd., AerCap Aircraft Leasing XXX B.V., AerCap Dutch Aircraft Leasing I B.V and AerCap Leasing XXII B.V. (sold to a third-party prior to December 31, 2007 after the sale of its interest in a single aircraft). AerCap Holdings N.V. has numerous other subsidiaries, none of which contribute more than 5% of our consolidated revenues or represent more than 5% of our total assets.
Employees
The table below provides the number of our employees at each of our principal geographical locations as of the dates indicated.
Location |
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2006 |
December 31, 2007 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 71 | 71 | 88 | |||
Shannon, Ireland | 27 | 37 | 42 | |||
Fort Lauderdale, FL | 11 | 13 | 16 | |||
Miami, FL(1) | 124 | 163 | 172 | |||
Goodyear, AZ(1) | | 67 | 75 | |||
Other | | | 9 | |||
Total | 233 | 351 | 402 | |||
None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we believe that we maintain excellent employee relations. Although by law we are required to have a works council for our
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operations in The Netherlands, our employees have not elected to date to organize a works council. A works council is an employee organization that is granted certain statutory rights to be involved in certain of the company's decision making processes. The exercise of such rights, however, must take into account the interests of the company and its shareholders.
Organizational Structure
AerCap Holdings N.V. is a holding company which holds directly and indirectly consolidated investments in six main operating companies, most of which in turn own special purpose entities which hold our aircraft and engine assets. AerCap Holdings N.V. employs 19 people and does not own significant assets outside of its investments in its subsidiaries. Within the group, we also have several inactive subsidiaries or subsidiaries which are in the process of being liquidated. In addition to AerCap Holdings N.V.'s ownership in our principal operating subsidiaries, it holds our economic interests in AerVenture (two aircraft with 68 aircraft on order) which in turn holds the economic interests in AerFunding (two aircraft). The six principal operating subsidiaries, their share ownership and the identity of their significant asset-owning subsidiaries is detailed below.
AerCap B.V. is owned 100% by AerCap Holdings N.V. AerCap B.V. is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands,. and through its special purpose subsidiaries, owns the economic interests in 39 aircraft. AerCap B.V. does not employ any personnel.
AerCap Group Services B.V. is owned 100% by AerCap Holdings N.V. AerCap Group Services, B.V. is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands and employed 56 people as of December 31, 2007. AerCap Group Services B.V. does not own significant assets, but provides a range of services to other asset-owning companies in the AerCap group of companies.
AerData B.V. is owned 51% by AerCap Holdings N.V. and 49% by senior management of AerData B.V. AerData B.V. was established in 2007 to provide aviation lease management software IT services to the AerCap group of companies and third parties. AerData B.V. employed 13 people as of December 31, 2007.
AerCap Ireland Limited is indirectly owned 100% by AerCap Holdings N.V. AerCap Ireland Limited is located in Shannon, Ireland, employed 42 people as of December 31, 2007 and holds our economic interests in Aircraft Lease Securitisation Limited (65 aircraft) and Bella (two aircraft). In addition, AerCap Ireland Limited owns 22 aircraft directly or through single aircraft-owning special purpose entities. AerCap Ireland Limited is also the holder of our joint venture investments in AerDragon (two aircraft) and Annabel (one aircraft).
AerCap, Inc. is owned 100% by AerCap Holdings N.V. AerCap, Inc. is located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. AerCap, Inc. does not employ any personnel. AerCap, Inc. owns 100% of AerCap Group Services, Inc., which employed 19 people as of December 31, 2007 and provides a range of services to other asset-owning companies in the AerCap group of companies. AerCap, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (excluding AeroTurbine, Inc.) are the lessees under six lease-in, lease-out transactions and own one aircraft. AerCap, Inc. owns 100% of the share capital of AeroTurbine, Inc.
AeroTurbine, Inc is owned 100% by AerCap, Inc. AeroTurbine, Inc. is located in Miami, Florida, has a facility in Goodyear, Arizona and employed 253 people as of December 31, 2007. AeroTurbine, Inc. owns 59 engines, nine aircraft which are designated for disassembly and part-out and an inventory of aircraft and engine parts for sale.
Competition
The aircraft leasing and sales business is highly competitive. We face competition from aircraft manufacturers, financial institutions, other leasing companies, aircraft brokers and airlines. Competition for a leasing transaction is based on a number of factors, including delivery dates, lease rates, term of
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lease, other lease provisions, aircraft condition and the availability in the market place of the types of aircraft that can meet the needs of the customer. As a result of our geographical reach, diverse aircraft portfolio and success in remarketing our aircraft, we believe we are a strong competitor in all of these areas; however, some of our competitors such as GE Commercial Aviation Service and International Lease Finance Corporation, have significantly larger and more diversified aircraft portfolios and greater access to financing than we do. As of December 2007, GE Commercial Aviation Service and International Lease Finance Corporation together, according to Airclaims Client Aviation System Enquiry Database, represent approximately 35% of the operating lease market and 39% of the orders from Boeing and Airbus held by operating lessors.
The engine leasing industry is fragmented and is also highly competitive. The engine leasing industry is generally divided into two principal competitive segments: short-term engine lessors that focus on providing temporary spare engine support while a customer's engine requires off-site MRO (typical 60 to 90 day lease periods) and long-term engine lessors that focus on providing spare or primary engines to operators as an alternative to ownership of the engine by the lessee (typical lease periods of over one year). Though we are much more active in the short-term engine leasing segment, we compete in both lease segments. The engine leasing market is primarily comprised of six major engine leasing companies, including ourselves. We believe we are a strong competitor, particularly in the short-term engine leasing segment, due to our rapid response in-house MRO capabilities; however, some of our competitors such as GE Engine Leasing, Shannon Engine Support, Engine Lease Finance, Pratt & Whitney Engine Leasing LLC, Rolls Royce and Partners Finance and Willis Lease Finance, have significantly larger and more diversified engine portfolios and greater access to financing than we do. We also encounter competition from airlines, financial institutions, engine brokers, consignment agencies and special purpose entities with investment objectives similar to ours.
The aircraft parts market is generally divided into two principal segments, consisting of (i) airframe parts sales and (ii) engine parts sales specialists. While we compete in both markets with a few large companies, we also separately compete with numerous other parts sales organizations, MRO service providers, original equipment manufacturers, commercial airlines and many smaller competitors primarily in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, there are numerous small brokers and traders that generally sell from limited inventories and participate in niche markets. Competition in the aircraft and engine parts markets is based on quality, ability to provide a timely and consistent source of materials, ability to provide a multiple range of desirable products, speed of delivery and pricing.
Insurance
Our lessees are required under our leases to bear responsibility, through an operational indemnity subject to customary exclusions, and to carry insurance for, any liabilities arising out of the operation of our aircraft or engines, including any liabilities for death or injury to persons and damage to property that ordinarily would attach to the operator of the aircraft or engine. In addition, our lessees are required to carry other types of insurance that are customary in the air transportation industry, including hull all risks insurance for both the aircraft and each engine whether or not installed on our aircraft, hull war risks insurance covering risks such as hijacking, terrorism, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization and seizure (in each case at a value stipulated in the relevant lease which typically exceeds the net book value by 10%, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances) and aircraft spares insurance and aircraft third-party liability insurance, in each case subject to customary deductibles. We are named as an additional insured on liability insurance policies carried by our lessees, and we and/or our lenders are designated as a loss payee in the event of a total loss of the aircraft or engine. We monitor the compliance by our lessees with the insurance provisions of our leases by securing confirmation of coverage from the insurance brokers. We also purchase insurance which provides us with coverage when our aircraft or engines are not subject to a lease or where a lessee's policy lapses for any reason. In addition we carry customary insurance for our property and parts inventory, and we
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also maintain customary product liability insurance covering liabilities arising from our aircraft, engine and aviation parts trading activities. Insurance experts advise and make recommendations to us as to the appropriate amount of insurance coverage that we should obtain.
Regulation
While the air transportation industry is highly regulated, since we do not operate aircraft, we generally are not directly subject to most of these regulations. However, our lessees are subject to extensive regulation under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are registered and in which they operate. These regulations, among other things, govern the registration, operation and maintenance of our aircraft and engines. Most of our aircraft are registered in the jurisdiction in which the lessee of the aircraft is certified as an air operator. Both our aircraft and engines are subject to the airworthiness and other standards imposed by our lessees' jurisdictions of operation. Laws affecting the airworthiness of aviation assets are generally designed to ensure that all aircraft, engines and related equipment are continuously maintained in proper condition to enable safe operation of the aircraft. Most countries' aviation laws require aircraft and engines to be maintained under an approved maintenance program having defined procedures and intervals for inspection, maintenance and repair.
In addition, under our leases, we may be required in some instances to obtain specific licenses, consents or approvals for different aspects of the leases. These required items include consents from governmental or regulatory authorities for certain payments under the leases and for the import, re-export or deregistration of the aircraft and engines. Also, to perform some of our cash management services and insurance services from Ireland under our management arrangements with our joint ventures and securitization entities, we are required to have a license from the Irish regulatory authorities which we have obtained.
With regard to our MRO activities, we maintain FAA and EASA certifications to conduct limited repair station tasks on engines. These certifications are subject to periodic review, and involve regulatory oversight and audit of the respective personnel and procedures utilized to conduct MRO services to aircraft, engines and components thereof, so as to ensure that our repair station managers and mechanics are properly qualified to perform the work for which we are certified. In addition, our MRO facility is subject to environmental regulation regarding, among other things, the use, storage and disposal of certain hazardous material.
Facilities
We are relocating from our current Headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to a 37,000 square foot office facility in April 2008. The new office has been contracted under a five year lease which commences on April 1, 2008. Our existing office lease will be terminated at that date. We also lease a 31,000 square foot facility in Shannon, Ireland. We lease our Shannon facility under a 20 year lease which began January 26, 2000 and have an option to terminate after ten years. In addition, we lease an 8,000 square foot facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida under a ten year lease which began in February 1999.
We have a ten year lease, which began on January 1, 2004 for a 150,000 square foot complex located near the Miami International Airport that we use as an office and warehouse. We lease our Goodyear facility, includes a 226,000 square foot hangar and substantial additional space for aircraft outdoor storage, pursuant to a long-term lease that expires in 2026.
In addition to the above facilities, we also lease small offices in Irvine (Texas), Beijing (China) and Brighton (U.K).
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Trademarks
We have registered the "AerCap" name with WIPO International (Madrid) Registry and the Benelux-Merkenbureau. The "AerCap" trademark and the AeroTurbine name have been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Litigation
In the ordinary course of our business, we are a party to various legal actions, which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. We believe that the outcome of the proceedings to which we are currently a party will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
VASP Litigation
We leased 13 aircraft and three spare engines to Viacao Aerea de Sao Paulo, or VASP, a Brazilian airline. In 1992, VASP defaulted on its lease obligations and we commenced litigation against VASP to repossess our aircraft. In 1992, we obtained a preliminary injunction for the repossession and export of 13 aircraft and three spare engines from VASP. We repossessed and exported the aircraft and engines in 1992. VASP appealed this decision. In 1996, the High Court of the State of Sao Paulo ruled in favor of VASP on its appeal. We were instructed to return the aircraft and engines to VASP for lease under the terms of the original lease agreements. The High Court also granted VASP the right to seek damages in lieu of the return of the aircraft and engines. Since 1996 we have pursued this case in the Brazilian courts through various motions and appeals. On March 1, 2006, the Superior Court of Justice dismissed our most recent appeal and on April 5, 2006 a special panel of the Superior Court of Justice confirmed the Superior Court of Justice decision. On May 15, 2006 we appealed this decision to the Federal Supreme Court. On February 23, 2006, VASP commenced a procedure for the calculation of the award for damages and since then both we and VASP have appointed experts to assist the court in calculating damages. Our external legal counsel has advised us that even if we lose on the merits, they do not believe that VASP will be able to demonstrate any damages. We continue to actively pursue all courses of action that may be available to us and intend to defend our position vigorously.
In July 2006, we commenced a claim for damages in the English courts against VASP based on the damages we incurred as a result of the default by VASP under seven lease obligations. VASP was served process in Brazil in October 2007 and in response has filed an application to challenge the jurisdiction of the English court which we will oppose. VASP have applied to the Court to adjourn the date for the hearing of its application to challenge the jurisdiction of the English Court pending the sale of some of it's assets in Brazil. We have opposed this application and in a hearing on March 5, 2008, VASP's application was dismissed.
Swedish Tax Dispute
In 2001, Swedish tax authorities challenged the position we took in tax returns we filed for the years 1999 and 2000 with respect to certain deductions. In accordance with Swedish law, we made a guaranty payment to the tax authority of $16.8 million in 2003. We appealed the decision of the tax authorities, and, in August 2004, a Swedish Court issued a ruling in our favor which resulted in a tax refund of $19.9 million (which included interest and the effect of foreign exchange movements for the intervening period). In September 2004, the Swedish tax authorities appealed the decision of the Court and filed an appeal with the Administrative Court of Appeal in Sweden. We have responded to this appeal and have requested an oral hearing on the matter. The Court has responded that they would schedule an oral hearing, but we have not yet received notice of the timing of such hearing. Our management, based on the advice of our tax advisors, has determined that it is not necessary to make any provisions for this tax dispute.
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Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this annual report. Our financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or US GAAP. The discussion below contains forward looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes of circumstances. See "Item 3. Key InformationRisk Factors" and "Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements".
Overview
The industry environment in 2007 was characterized by strong demand and tight supply for aircraft, with international airline traffic growth reported at 7.4% for the year. Overall, the industry saw the strong growth of airlines in emerging markets, particularly in markets such as China, the Middle East and Latin America and a significantly improved financial performance of the U.S. airline industry. With the growth of the industry, we have also experienced increased competition from other aircraft lessors in the market. We have the infrastructure, expertise and resources to execute a large number of diverse aircraft and engine transactions in a variety of market conditions. From January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, we executed over 750 aircraft and engine transactions, including 223 aircraft leases, 134 engine leases, 201 aircraft purchase or sale transactions, 108 engine purchase or sale transactions and the disassembly of 37 aircraft and 64 engines. Our teams of dedicated marketing and asset trading professionals have been successful in leasing and trading our aircraft and engine portfolios, and between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, our weighted average owned aircraft utilization rate was 98.8%.
Major Developments in 2007
Results of Operations
Net income for the full year 2007 was $188.5 million. Net income excluding non-cash charges relating to the mark-to-market of interest rate caps and share-based compensation was $210.6 million.
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The after-tax charge relating to the mark-to-market of our interest rate caps was $12.6 million and the after-tax charge from share-based compensation was $9.5 million. Our net income for the full year 2007 also includes a charge of $24.0 million, net of tax, related to the refinancing of securitized bonds in Aircraft Lease Securitisation. Our result was driven by a number of factors. Our portfolio has grown through purchases of aircraft and other aviation assets. We continue to benefit from improved lease rates and the leveraging of our cost base in relation to our owned aircraft. We have benefitted from interest savings as a result of the $1.66 billion refinancing, which reduced the margin on the debt which was refinanced. In addition, our use of interest rate caps has allowed us to benefit from the reduction in interest rates generally during 2007 and provides us with protection in the event of rising interest rates over the next several years. Our results have also been positively impacted by the inclusion of a full year of operations at AeroTurbine. We have generated net profits from the sale of aircraft assets as we continue to optimize and rebalance our portfolio of aviation assets. Our financial performance in 2007 reflects the strength and flexibility of our business model and demonstrates our continuing focus on investing strategically to grow our business.
Earnings Per Share
Total basic and fully-diluted earnings per share for the full year 2007 was $2.22. Total basic and fully-diluted earnings per share excluding non-cash charges relating to mark-to-market of interest rate caps of $0.15 per share and share-based compensation of $0.11 per share was $2.48. The number of outstanding shares is currently at 85.0 million.
Non-Cash Charge for Share-based Compensation
The non-cash charge for share-based compensation, net of tax, was $9.5 million for the full year 2007. The charge relates to restricted shares and share options in entities that own a substantial percentage of our shares and which are held by members of our senior management, independent directors and a consultant and share options in AerCap Holdings N.V. which are held by members of our senior management. The charge did not reduce our net equity.
Non-Cash Charge for Mark-to-market of Interest Rate Caps
The non-cash charge for mark-to-market of interest rate caps, net of tax, was $12.6 million for the full year 2007. We use interest rate caps to hedge against the impact of interest rate increases on variable-rate debt. Our interest rate caps do not qualify for hedge accounting under US GAAP and the periodic mark-to-market gains or losses of our caps is recorded as interest expense.
Refinancing of Securitized Bonds
On May 8, 2007, ALS, a lease securitization special purpose entity that we consolidate in our financial statements, completed a refinancing through the issuance of $1.66 billion of AAA-rated class G-3 floating rate notes. The proceeds from the issuance of these notes were used to redeem all of the outstanding ALS debt, other than the most junior class of notes, to refinance the indebtedness that had been incurred to purchase 24 previously acquired aircraft, and to finance the purchase of four additional new aircraft, increasing ALS's aircraft portfolio size to 70 aircraft. The class G-3 notes bear an interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus 26 basis points, resulting in annual savings of approximately $16 million. Concurrently with the ALS refinancing, our revolving credit facility was amended and estated, resulting in a reduced interest rate spread and a two-year extension of the revolving period to May 2010. The size of our revolving credit facility remains $1.0 billion. As a result of the ALS refinancing, we reported a non-recurring expense in the second quarter of 2007 of $24.0 million, net of tax for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the refinanced debt, costs related to the prepayment of the prior ALS notes and other related fees. The majority of this non-recurring expense was non-cash.
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Aviation Assets
Our total assets and owned portfolio continue to grow. We acquired $788.0 million of aviation assets including 40 aircraft and 18 engines in 2007. Total assets on the balance sheet were $4.4 billion at December 31, 2007. Total assets increased 12% during 2007 which was driven by an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $110.5 million, an increase in flight equipment of $219.5 million and an increase in all other assets of $146.2 million. The increase in flight equipment was the result of a net increase of 16 owned aircraft in our portfolio. The number of aircraft in our portfolio was 318 as of December 31, 2007, consisting of 136 owned aircraft, 68 managed aircraft, 98 aircraft in our order book, 13 aircraft subject to purchase contract and three aircraft under letter of intent. The number of aircraft decreased by 26 units from 344 since the end of 2006. The decline in aircraft was largely driven by sales of owned Fokker aircraft and older, managed aircraft. The number of engines owned or on contract was 69, an increase of 12 engines from 57 engines owned at the end of 2006.
Liquidity and Access to Capital
Our cash balance at the end of 2007 was $336.8 million including restricted cash of $95.1 million and our operating cash flow was $205.9 million for the full year. The available lines of credit at December 31, 2007 were approximately $2.1 billion. As these amounts suggest, we have significant access to capital for growth through our cash and available lines of credit. Our debt balance at December 31, 2007 was $2.9 billion and the average annual interest rate on our debt in 2007 was 6.7%. Our debt to equity ratio stood at 3.0 to 1 as of December 31, 2007. We completed several financings during 2007.
Factors Affecting our Results
Our results of operations have been affected by a variety of factors, primarily:
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Results
Our Acquisition by Cerberus
On June 30, 2005, AerCap Holdings C.V., a Netherlands partnership owned by Cerberus acquired all of AerCap B.V.'s (formerly known as debis AirFinance B.V.) shares and $1.8 billion of liabilities owed by AerCap B.V. to its prior shareholders. AerCap Holdings C.V. paid total consideration of $1.4 billion for AerCap B.V.; $370 million of the total consideration paid by AerCap Holdings C.V. was
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funded through equity contributions by Cerberus and $1.0 billion was funded through a term loan. The 2005 Acquisition resulted in a net decrease of $802.0 million of indebtedness on our balance sheetthe difference between the $1.8 billion of intercompany liabilities and the indebtedness incurred to fund the acquisition. In accordance with FAS 141, Business Combinations, we allocated the purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. Since the purchase consideration of $1.4 billion was less than the $1.9 billion combined carrying value of the liabilities and the equity purchased by Cerberus, the purchase price allocation resulted in lower carrying values for our assets after the 2005 Acquisition. The carrying values of our assets and liabilities influence our results of operations and, accordingly, the net decrease in asset carrying values, which resulted from the 2005 Acquisition, has resulted in improved operating performance when compared to periods prior to the 2005 Acquisition.
The material impacts on our consolidated income statement of the 2005 Acquisition relate to purchase accounting adjustments in our assets which are reflected in lower depreciation expense and lower cost of goods sold due to reduced net book values, and in lower interest on debt expense due to the elimination of $802.0 million of debt as described in the preceding paragraph. Other than the corresponding effect on income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and net income, the 2005 Acquisition did not materially impact any of the other line items in our consolidated income statement.
AeroTurbine Acquisition
On April 26, 2006, we acquired all of the existing share capital of AeroTurbine, Inc., an engine trading and leasing and part sales company. We acquired AeroTurbine to implement our strategy of managing aircraft profitably throughout their lifecycle, to diversify our investment in aviation assets and to obtain a more significant presence in the market for older aircraft equipment. In accordance with FAS 141, Business Combinations, we allocated the purchase price paid to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. Since the purchase consideration was greater than the combined carrying value of the assets purchased and liabilities assumed by us, the purchase price allocation resulted in higher carrying values for the AeroTurbine assets as well as $25.6 million of intangible assets and goodwill of $6.8 million at the date of the AeroTurbine Acquisition. The inclusion of AeroTurbine in our consolidated results has increased our lease and sales revenue and cost of goods sold through the addition of $317.5 million of combined flight equipment and inventory in our December 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the interest on AeroTurbine's debt has increased our consolidated interest expense and the inclusion of AeroTurbine's operations has increased our selling, general and administrative expenses. More specifically, for the year ended December 31, 2006, we recognized $62.4 million of non-cash, share-based compensation, net of taxes, in our consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses related to restricted shares granted in connection with the AeroTurbine Acquisition.
Prior to the AeroTurbine Acquisition, we operated our business as one reportable segment: leasing, financing, sales and management of commercial aircraft. From the date of the AeroTurbine Acquisition, we manage our business and analyze and report our results on the basis of two business segments: leasing, financing, sales and management of commercial aircraft ("Aircraft") and leasing, financing and sales of engines and parts ("Engines and Parts").
Stock Compensation Expenses
Our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2006 include a charge of $68.3 million, net of tax of $10.3 million for non-cash, share-based compensation expense related to the vesting of options and restricted stock previously granted or sold to the owners of AeroTurbine at the time of its acquisition by us and to members of our senior management, our non-executive directors and one consultant primarily in connection with the 2005 Acquisition. While we will continue to recognize some additional non-cash, share-based compensation in connection with these options, other restricted shares
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held in Bermuda holding companies which indirectly own our shares (excluding the shares sold to the owners of AeroTurbine) and options issued in 2007 by AerCap Holdings N.V., future charges are not expected to be of a similar magnitude as those recognized in 2006. Our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007 include a charge for share-based compensation of $9.5 million, net of tax of $1.4 million.
Critical Accounting Policies Applicable to Us
Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP, and require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The use of estimates is or could be a significant factor affecting the reported carrying values of flight equipment, investments, trade and notes receivable, deferred tax assets and accruals and reserves. Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experiences and currently available information. We utilize professional appraisers and valuation experts, where possible, to support our estimates, particularly with respect to flight equipment. Despite our best efforts, actual results may differ from our estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially. A summary of our significant accounting policies is presented in Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require our most subjective judgments, estimates and assumptions. Our most critical accounting policies and estimates are described below.
Lease Revenue Recognition
We lease flight equipment principally under operating leases and report rental income on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as it is earned. Virtually all of our lease contracts require payment in advance. Rents collected in advance of when they are earned are recorded as deferred revenue on our balance sheet and recorded as lease revenue as they are earned. Provisions for doubtful notes and accounts receivables are recorded in the income statement when rentals become past-due and the rentals exceed security deposits held, except where it is anticipated that the lease will end in repossession and then provisions are made regardless of the level of security deposits. Our management monitors the status of customers and the collectability of their receivables based on factors such as the customer's credit worthiness, payment performance, financial condition and requests for modifications of lease terms and conditions. Customers for whom collectability is not reasonably assured are placed on non-accrual status and revenue is recorded on a cash basis. When our management deems the collectability to be reasonably assured, based on the above factors, the customer is removed from non-accrual status and revenue is recognized on an accrual basis. As described below, revenue from supplemental maintenance rent is recognized when we are no longer legally obligated to refund such rent to our customer, which normally coincides with lease termination or where the terms of the lease allow us to control the occurrence, timing or amount of such reimbursement.
Depreciation and Amortization
Flight equipment held for operating leases, including aircraft, is recorded on our balance sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Aircraft are depreciated over the assets' useful life, which is 25 years from the date of manufacture for substantially all of our aircraft, using the straight-line method to estimated residual values. Estimated residual values are generally determined to be approximately 15% of the manufacturer's price.
For older engines purchased primarily for short-term leasing through our AeroTurbine operations, we depreciate current production model engines on a straight-line basis over a 15-year period from the acquisition date to an estimated residual value. We estimate residual values of current production
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model engines based on observed current market prices and management expectations of value trends. Out-of-production engines are depreciated on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life ranging from five to seven years to an estimated residual value. For newer engines purchased primarily for longer-term leases, we depreciate over a 30-year period to a residual of 10% of cost. The carrying value of flight equipment that we designate for disassembly is transferred to our inventory pool and is held for sale at the time of such designation. We discontinue the depreciation of our flight equipment when it is held as inventory. Differences between our estimates of useful lives and residual values and actual experience may result in future impairments of aircraft or engines and/or additional gains or losses upon disposal. We review residual values of aircraft and engines periodically based on our knowledge of current residual values and residual value trends to determine if they are appropriate and record adjustments as necessary.
Intangibles related to customer relationships are amortized over ten years, which is the length of time that we expect to benefit from existing customer relationships. The amortization in each year is based on the anticipated sales in each year which benefit from such relationships. Our FAA certificate is amortized straight-line over 15 years, the remaining estimated useful life of the engine type to which the repair station certificate relates. Amortization of the non-compete agreement is straight-line over six years, which is the sum of the term of the employment agreements of the related individuals and the term of the non-compete agreements.
Inventory
Inventory, which consists exclusively of finished goods, is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined using the specific identification method for individual part purchases and whole engines and on an allocated basis for dismantled engines, aircraft, and bulk inventory purchases using the relationship of the cost of the dismantled engine, aircraft or bulk inventory purchase to estimated market value at the time of purchase. We estimate market value for this purpose based on internal estimates of sales values and recent sales activity of similar inventory. We charge the cost of sold inventory to cost of goods sold based on the ratio of remaining cost to the market value of such inventory. We evaluate this ratio periodically and make prospective adjustments in connection with updated market values. Any inventory identified with a market value lower than cost is reduced to market value at the time of the review.
Impairments
In accordance with FAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, our flight equipment held for operating lease and definite lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of those assets may not be recoverable. The review for recoverability includes an assessment of the estimated future cash flows associated with the use of an asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. The loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the impaired asset over its fair value. Fair value reflects the present value of cash expected to be received from the asset in the future, including its expected residual value discounted at a rate commensurate with the associated risk. Future cash flows are assumed to occur under then current market conditions and assume adequate time for a sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Expected future lease rates are based on all relevant information available, including current contracted rates for similar assets, appraisal data and industry trends. Residual value assumptions generally reflect an asset's booked residual, except where more recent industry information indicates a different value is appropriate.
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In accordance with FAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, we evaluate any goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at the reporting unit level each year and upon the occurrence of events or circumstances that indicate that the asset may be impaired. We determine the fair value of our reporting units using discounted cash flow and earnings multiples approaches. When our valuation suggests that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than our net equity, we determine the amount of implied goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to our assets and liabilities as we would in purchase accounting and adjust our goodwill to its implied value through an impairment entry. If we fail to meet our forecasted future cash flows or if weak economic conditions prevail in our primary markets, the estimated fair values of our reporting unit may be adversely affected, resulting in impairment charges.
Allocation of Purchase Price to Acquired Assets
We account for business combinations in accordance with FAS 141, Business Combinations. We apply the purchase price of all acquisitions to the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities. To determine fair value, we utilize a combination of third-party appraisers, our own recent experience in the market place and discounted cash flow analyses. Our discounted cash flow analyses require us to make estimates and assumptions of the future use of these assets and their impact on our financial position. We apply a discount rate to each different asset or liability based on prevailing interest rates and the underlying credit of the obligor.
Accrued Maintenance Liability
In all of our leases, the lessees are responsible for maintenance and repairs of our flight equipment and related expenses during the term of the lease. In some instances, we may incur maintenance and repair expenses for off-lease aircraft. We recognize leasing expenses in our income statement for all such expenditures. In many operating lease and finance lease contracts, the lessee has the obligation to make a periodic payment of supplemental maintenance rent which is calculated with reference to the utilization of airframes, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. In the majority of these leases, we do not recognize such supplemental rent received as revenue, but as an accrued maintenance liability. In these leases, upon lessee presentation of invoices evidencing the completion of qualifying maintenance on the aircraft or engine, we make a payment to the lessee to help compensate for the cost of the maintenance, up to the maximum of the supplemental maintenance rental payments made with respect to the lease contract. In shorter-term lease contracts (primarily engine lease contracts) where the terms of the lease are designed specifically to allow us to directly manage the occurrence, timing and associated cost of qualifying maintenance work on the flight equipment, supplemental rents collected during the lease are recognized as lease revenue. For flight equipment subject to these shorter-term contracts, we record a charge to leasing expenses at the time maintenance work is performed on the flight equipment.
In most lease contracts not requiring the payment of supplemental rents, the lessee is required to re-deliver the aircraft in a similar maintenance condition (normal wear and tear excepted) as when accepted under the lease, with reference to major life-limited components of the aircraft. To the extent that such components are redelivered in a different condition than at acceptance, there is normally an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at redelivery. We recognize receipts of end-of-lease compensation adjustments as lease revenue when received and payments of end-of-lease adjustments as leasing expenses when paid.
In addition, in both types of contracts, we may be obligated to make additional payments to the lessee for maintenance related expenses (lessor maintenance contributions or top-ups) primarily related to usage of major life-limited components occurring prior to the lease. We record a charge to leasing expenses at the time of the occurrence of a lessor contribution or top-up payment, except in instances where we have established an accrual as an assumed liability for such payment in connection with the
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purchase of an aircraft with a lease attached, in which case such payments are charged against the existing accrual.
For all of our lease contracts, any amounts of accrued maintenance liability existing at the end of a lease are released and recognized as lease revenue at lease termination. When flight equipment is sold, the portion of the accrued maintenance liability which is not specifically assigned to the buyer is released from the balance sheet and recognized as sales revenue from the sale of the flight equipment.
Consolidation
We consolidate all companies in which we have direct or indirect legal or effective control and all variable interest entities for which we are deemed the primary beneficiary under FIN 46R. Consolidated entities include certain joint ventures such as our AerVenture and Bella joint ventures, our Aircraft Lease Securitisation vehicle, and our AerFunding financing vehicle, but exclude AerDragon and Annabel. The determination of which entities are variable interest entities and of which variable interest entities we are the primary beneficiary involves the use of significant estimates, including whether the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support and the expected cash flows to the entity and distributions of those cash flows in the future. We estimate expected cash flows based on the variable interest entities' contractual rights and obligations as well as reasonable expectations for future business developments. We then adjust these cash flow estimates to simulate possible changes in economic trends which could impact the variable interest entity to determine which entity will absorb a majority of the variability in order to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity.
Deferred Income Taxes
We provide for income taxes according to FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. We have significant tax loss carryforwards in certain of our subsidiaries. We evaluate valuation allowances for tax losses at the individual company level or consolidated tax group level in accordance with the tax law in the specific jurisdiction. We evaluate the potential for recovery of our tax losses by estimating the future taxable profits expected from each subsidiary and considering prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In estimating future taxable profits, we consider all current contracts and assets of the business, as well as a reasonable estimation of future taxable profits achievable by us. If we are not able to achieve the level of projected taxable profits used in our assessment, and no tax planning strategies are available to us, an additional valuation allowance may be required against our tax assets with a corresponding charge to our income statement in the future.
Financial Period Convention
AerCap Holdings C.V. (the predecessor to AerCap Holdings N.V.) was formed on June 27, 2005; however, it did not commence operations until June 30, 2005, when it acquired all of the shares and certain of the liabilities of AerCap B.V. AerCap Holdings C.V.'s initial accounting period is from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005 but it generated no material revenue or expense between June 27, 2005 and June 30, 2005, and did not have any material assets before the 2005 Acquisition. For convenience of presentation only, we have labeled AerCap Holding C.V.'s initial accounting period in table headings in this annual report as the six months ended December 31, 2005. In addition, for presentation purposes in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, we have combined the six months ended June 30, 2005 of AerCap B.V., our predecessor, with AerCap Holding C.V.'s initial accounting period into a 12 month period ended December 31, 2005. The financial information presented for this combined period reflects the addition, with no adjustments, of the results of AerCap B.V. for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and for AerCap Holdings C.V.'s initial accounting period ended December 31, 2005. The combined period information is included as a combined presentation since it is the way our management analyzes our
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business results. This combined presentation, however, is not in accordance with US GAAP and should be considered as supplemental information only.
Revenues
Our revenues consist primarily of lease revenue from aircraft and engine leases, sales revenue, management fee revenue and interest revenue.
Lease Revenue.
Nearly all of our aircraft and engine lease agreements provide for the payment of a fixed, periodic amount of rent or a floating, periodic amount of rent tied to interest rates during the term of the lease. In limited circumstances, our leases may require a basic rental payment based partially or exclusively on the amount of usage during a period. In addition, many of our leases require the payment of supplemental maintenance rent based on aircraft or engine utilization and lease term, or an end-of-lease compensation amount calculated with reference to the technical condition of the aircraft or engine at lease expiration. The amount of lease revenue we recognize is primarily influenced by five factors:
In addition to aircraft or engine specific factors such as the type, condition and age of the asset, the lease rates for our leases with fixed rental payments are determined in part by reference to the prevailing interest rate for a debt instrument with a term similar to the lease term and with a similar credit quality as the lessee at the time we enter into the lease. Many of the factors described in the bullet points above are influenced by global and regional economic trends, airline market conditions, the supply/demand balance for the type of flight equipment we own and our ability to remarket flight equipment subject to expiring lease contracts under favorable economic terms.
We operate our business on a global basis. As of December 31, 2007, we had 130 owned aircraft on lease (excluding the six aircraft that we intend to disassemble or sell at the end of their leases) to 55 customers in 34 countries, with no lessee accounting for more than 10% of lease revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007. The following table shows the regional profile of our lease revenue for the periods indicated:
|
AerCap B.V. |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2005 |
Six months ended December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
|||||
Asia/Pacific | 43 | % | 44 | % | 43 | % | 33 | % | |
Europe | 33 | 33 | 35 | 39 | |||||
North America/ Caribbean | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | |||||
Latin America | 6 | 5 | 7 | 10 | |||||
Africa/Middle East | | | | 1 | |||||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |
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The geographical concentration of our customer base has varied historically, reflecting the opportunities available in particular markets at a given time. The decrease in Asia/Pacific concentration between 2007 and 2006 is the result of lease expiries on six aircraft with one Asian lessee. Asia/Pacific continues to be a focal point for additional growth in leasing activity for us.
Sales Revenue.
Our sales revenue is generated from the sale of our aircraft, engines, and inventory. The price we receive for our aircraft, engines and inventory is largely dependent on the condition of the asset being sold, prevailing interest rates, airline market conditions and the supply/demand balance for the type of asset we are selling. The timing of the closing of aircraft and engine sales is often uncertain, as a sale may be concluded swiftly or negotiations may extend over several weeks or months. As a result, even if sales are comparable over a long period of time, during any particular fiscal quarter or other reporting period we may close significantly more or fewer sale transactions than in other reporting periods. Accordingly, sales revenue recorded in one fiscal quarter or other reporting period may not be comparable to sales revenue in other periods.
Management Fee Revenue.
We generate management fee revenue through a variety of management services that we provide to non-consolidated aircraft securitization vehicles and joint ventures and third-party owners of aircraft. Our management services include leasing and remarketing services, cash management and treasury services, technical advisory services and accounting and administrative services. We currently generate almost three-quarters of our management fee income from services we provide to two securitization vehicles, Airplanes Group and AerCo. Since Aircraft Lease Securitisation's results are consolidated in our financial statements, we do not generate any accounting revenue from the services we provide to it.
Interest Revenue.
Our interest revenue is derived primarily from deposit interest on unrestricted and restricted cash balances, interest earned on assets supporting defeased liabilities and interest recognized on financial instruments we hold, such as notes issued by lessees in connection with lease restructurings and subordinated debt investments in unconsolidated securitization vehicles or affiliates. The amount of interest revenue we recognize in any period is influenced by the amount of free or restricted cash balances, the scheduled amortization of defeased liabilities, the principal balance of financial instruments we hold, contracted or effective interest rates, and movements in provisions for financial instruments which can affect adjustments to valuations or provisions.
Other Revenue.
Our other revenue includes net gains or losses we generate from the sale of aircraft-related investments, and reversals of provisions on such investments such as our subordinated interests in securitization vehicles and notes, warrants or convertible securities issued by our lessees, which we receive from lessees as compensation for amounts owed to us in connection with lease restructurings. The amount of other revenue recognized in any period is influenced by the number of saleable financial instruments we hold, the credit profile of the obligor and the demand for such investments in the market at the time. Since there is limited or no market liquidity for some of the securities we receive in connection with lease restructurings, making the securities difficult to value, and because many of the issuers of the securities are in a distressed financial condition, we may experience volatility in our revenues when we sell our aircraft-related investments due to significant changes in their value.
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Operating Expenses
Our primary operating expenses consist of depreciation, interest on debt, other operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Depreciation.
Our depreciation expense is influenced by the adjusted gross book values of our flight equipment, the depreciable life of the flight equipment and the estimated residual value of the flight equipment. Adjusted gross book value is the original cost of our flight equipment, including purchase expenses, adjusted for subsequent capitalized improvements, impairments, and accounting basis adjustments associated with business combinations.
Cost of Goods Sold.
Our cost of goods sold consists of the net book value of flight equipment, including inventory, sold to third parties at the time of the sale.
Interest on Debt.
Our interest on debt expense arises from a variety of funding structures and related derivative instruments as described in "Indebtedness". Interest on debt expense in any period is primarily affected by contracted interest rates, principal amounts of indebtedness, including notional values of derivative instruments and unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on derivative instruments.
Other Operating Expenses.
Our other operating expenses consist primarily of operating lease-in costs, leasing expenses and provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable.
Our operating lease-in costs relate to our lease obligations for aircraft we lease from financial investors and sublease to aircraft operators. We entered into all of our lease-in transactions between 1988 and 1992 and the leases on the remaining six aircraft at December 31, 2007 expire between 2009 and 2013. As described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, we have established an onerous contract accrual equal to the difference between the present value of our lease expenses and the sublease revenue we receive, discounted at appropriate discount rates. The amount of this liability amortizes monthly as a reduction of operating lease-in costs on a constant yield basis as we meet our obligations to the aircrafts' legal owners under the applicable leases.
Our leasing expenses consist primarily of maintenance expenses on our flight equipment, which we incur when our flight equipment is off-lease, lessor maintenance contribution expenses, technical expenses we incur to monitor the maintenance condition of our flight equipment during a lease, end-of-lease payments, expenses to transition flight equipment from an expired lease to a new lease contract and non-capitalizable flight equipment transaction expenses.
Our provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable consists primarily of provisions we establish to reduce the carrying value of our notes and accounts receivables to estimated collectible levels.
The primary factors affecting our other operating expenses are:
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.
Our principal selling, general and administrative expenses consist of personnel expenses, including salaries benefits, charges for share-based compensation, professional and advisory costs and office and travel expenses as summarized in Note 20 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. The level of our selling, general and administrative expenses is influenced primarily by our number of employees and the extent of transactions or ventures we pursue which require the assistance of outside professionals or advisors. Our selling, general and administrative expenses also include the mark-to-market gains and losses for our foreign exchange rate hedges related to our Euro denominated selling, general and administrative expenses.
Provisions for Income Taxes
Our operations are taxable primarily in four main jurisdictions in which we manage our business: The Netherlands, Ireland, the United States and Sweden. Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the impact of temporary differences between our US GAAP income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests and our taxable income. Our effective tax rate has varied significantly year to year from 2004 to 2007. The primary source of temporary differences is the availability of accelerated tax depreciation in our primary operating jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate in any year depends on the tax rates in the jurisdictions from which our income is derived along with the extent of permanent differences between US GAAP income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests and taxable income.
We have substantial tax losses in certain jurisdictions which can be carried forward, which we recognize as tax assets. We evaluate the recoverability of tax assets in each jurisdiction in each period based upon our estimates of future taxable income in those jurisdictions. If we determine that we are not likely to generate sufficient taxable income in a jurisdiction prior to expiration, if any, of the availability of tax losses, we establish a valuation allowance against the tax loss to reduce the tax asset to its recoverable value. We evaluate the appropriate level of valuation allowances annually and make adjustments as necessary. Increases or decreases to valuation allowances can affect our provision for income taxes on our consolidated income statement and consequently may affect our effective tax rate in a given year.
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Comparative Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in millions) |
||||||
Revenues | |||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 443.9 | $ | 554.2 | |||
Sales revenue | 301.4 | 558.3 | |||||
Management fee revenue | 14.1 | 14.3 | |||||
Interest revenue | 34.7 | 29.7 | |||||
Other revenue | 20.3 | 20.0 | |||||
Total revenues | 814.4 | 1,176.5 | |||||
Expenses | |||||||
Depreciation | 102.4 | 141.1 | |||||
Cost of goods sold | 220.3 | 432.2 | |||||
Interest on debt | 166.2 | 234.8 | |||||
Operating lease in costs | 25.2 | 20.2 | |||||
Leasing expenses | 21.5 | 18.8 | |||||
Provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | (0.2 | ) | 0.7 | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 149.4 | 116.3 | |||||
Total expenses | 684.8 | 964.1 | |||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest | 129.6 | 212.4 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | (21.2 | ) | (25.1 | ) | |||
Minority interest net of taxes | 0.6 | 1.2 | |||||
Net income | $ | 109.0 | $ | 188.5 | |||
Revenues. Our total revenues increased by $362.1 million, or 44.5%, to $1,176.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $814.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. In the year ended December 31, 2007, we generated $980.0 million of revenue in our aircraft segment and $196.5 million of revenue in our engine and parts segment, and, in the year ended December 31, 2006, we generated $689.2 million of revenue in our aircraft segment and $125.2 million in our engine and parts segment. The principal categories of our revenue and their variances were:
|
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
Increase/ (decrease) |
Percentage Difference |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 443.9 | $ | 554.2 | $ | 110.3 | 24.8 | % | ||||
Sales revenue | 301.4 | 558.3 | 256.9 | 85.2 | % | |||||||
Management fee revenue | 14.1 | 14.3 | 0.2 | 1.4 | % | |||||||
Interest revenue | 34.7 | 29.7 | (5.0 | ) | (14.4 | )% | ||||||
Other revenue | 20.3 | 20.0 | (0.3 | ) | (1.5 | )% | ||||||
Total | $ | 814.4 | 1,176.5 | 362.1 | 44.5 | % | ||||||
The increase in lease revenue was attributable primarily to:
56
of 42 aircraft, during such period, with an aggregate net book value of $536.9 million at the date of sale, which resulted in a $82.9 million increase in lease revenue; and
The increase in sales revenue was attributable primarily to:
Management fee revenue did not materially change in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.
Interest revenue decreased by $5.0 million, or 14.4%, to $29.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $34.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was mainly caused by (i) the loss of interest income from a subordinated investment in an aircraft securitization which defaulted, (ii) the sale of interest bearing notes receivable in late 2006 and early 2007 and (iii) the elimination of a fair value adjustment which was amortizing to interest income when we extinguished the underlying guarantee liability at a discount to its carrying value, partially offset by an increase in cash balances and an increase in deposit rates of interest.
Other revenue did not materially change in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. In the year ended December 31, 2007, we sold the rights associated with a claim from a lessee bankruptcy for a gain of $9.1 million and we recognized a gain of $10.7 million when we extinguished a guarantee liability in relation to the purchase of a portfolio of nine aircraft and three spare engines (see interest revenue). In the year ended December 31, 2006, we sold four unsecured notes receivable for a gain of $15.8 million, received $2.1 million from an investment in liquidation, sold notes secured by aircraft for a gain of $0.7 million and received $1.7 million from an insurance claim on an engine.
Depreciation. Depreciation increased by $38.7 million, or 37.8%, to $141.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $102.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 due primarily to the acquisition of 83 new aircraft between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 with a book value at the time of the acquisition of $1.7 billion. The increase was partially offset by the sale of 43 aircraft with a book value at the time of sale of $536.9 million.
57
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased by $211.9 million, or 96.2%, to $432.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $220.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 due primarily to:
Interest on Debt. Our interest on debt increased by $68.6 million, or 41.3%, to $234.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $166.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The majority of the increase in interest on debt was principally caused by:
Other Operating Expenses. Our other operating expenses decreased by $6.8 million, or 14.6%, to $39.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $46.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The principal categories of our other operating expenses and their variances were as follows:
|
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
Increase/ (decrease) |
Percentage difference |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US$ in millions) |
||||||||||
Operating lease in costs | $ | 25.2 | $ | 20.2 | (5.0 | ) | (19.8 | )% | |||
Leasing expenses | 21.5 | 18.8 | (2.7 | ) | (12.6 | )% | |||||
Provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | (0.2 | ) | 0.7 | 0.9 | N/A | % | |||||
Total | $ | 46.5 | $ | 39.7 | (6.8 | ) | (14.6 | )% | |||
Our operating lease in costs decreased primarily due to the purchase of four aircraft which were previously subject to head leases and the termination of those leases.
Our leasing expenses decreased by $2.7 million, or 12.6%, to $18.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $21.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The decrease is primarily
58
due to fewer transitions of aircraft from expiring leases to new leases in 2007 compared to 2006 and particularly significant transition expenses in 2006 related to several A321 aircraft which were redelivered from an Asian carrier and leased to another airline.
Our provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable did not materially change in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. We did not have any significant defaults in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $33.3 million, or 22.3%, to $116.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $149.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, due primarily to a decrease of $67.6 million in charges for share-based compensation to $10.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $78.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, partially offset by (i) the AeroTurbine Acquisition, which resulted in a $15.2 million increase, (ii) expenses in relation to the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements and our secondary public offering, which resulted in a $5.9 million increase, (iv) an increase in salaries and benefit expenses associated with the growth in the number of our employees to 402 at December 31, 2007 from 351 at December 31, 2006, which resulted in an $8.0 million increase and (v) the increase in EUR compared to USD, which resulted in a $4.2 million increase.
Net Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interests. For the reasons explained above, our income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests increased by $82.8 million, or 63.9%, to $212.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $129.6 million in the year ended December 31, 20056.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes increased by $3.9 million or 18.4% to $25.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $21.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2006 was 16.4% and was 11.8% for the year ended December 31, 2007. Our effective tax rate in any year is impacted by the mix of operations among our different tax jurisdictions. In 2007, we completed a corporate tax restructuring that resulted in more deductible expenses in one of our higher tax rate jurisdictions, which positively impacted the mix of our profits for income tax purposes.
Net Income. For the reasons explained above, our net income increased by $79.5 million, or 72.9%, to $188.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $109.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2006.
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Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Aggregate non-GAAP |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
|||||
|
(US dollars in millions) |
||||||
Revenues | |||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 335.8 | $ | 443.9 | |||
Sales revenue | 88.3 | 301.4 | |||||
Management fee revenue | 14.2 | 14.1 | |||||
Interest revenue | 33.4 | 34.7 | |||||
Other revenue | 4.5 | 20.3 | |||||
Total revenues | 476.2 | 814.4 | |||||
Expenses | |||||||
Depreciation | 112.3 | 102.4 | |||||
Cost of goods sold | 68.2 | 220.3 | |||||
Interest on debt | 114.6 | 166.2 | |||||
Operating lease in costs | 25.3 | 25.2 | |||||
Leasing expenses | 27.5 | 21.5 | |||||
Provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | 6.2 | (0.2 | ) | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 46.5 | 149.4 | |||||
Total expenses | 400.6 | 684.8 | |||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest | 75.6 | 129.6 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | (10.0 | ) | (21.2 | ) | |||
Minority interest net of taxes | | 0.6 | |||||
Net income | $ | 65.6 | $ | 109.0 | |||
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 represent an aggregation of the results of operations for AerCap B.V. from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 when it was owned by our prior shareholders and the results of operations for AerCap Holdings N.V. from June 27, 2005 (inception of AerCap Holdings C.V.) to December 31, 2005 following the 2005 Acquisition on June 30, 2005. These results have been aggregated to provide investors with information related to our operating results for the full year of 2005 on the same basis our management uses to analyze our business results and to provide a basis for comparing our results of operations in 2005 with prior periods. Results of operations for AerCap Holdings N.V. after the 2005 Acquisition include the effects of purchase accounting related to the 2005 Acquisition and, therefore, are not directly comparable to the results of operation for AerCap B.V. in the prior periods. The material impacts on our consolidated income statement of the 2005 Acquisition are reflected in lower depreciation expense due to reduced net book values, which resulted in a $20.9 million decrease in depreciation expense in 2005, and in lower interest on debt expense due to the elimination of certain debt, which resulted in a $19.6 million decrease in interest on debt expense in 2005. Other than the corresponding effect on income from continuing operations before income taxes and net income, the 2005 Acquisition did not materially impact any of the other line items in our consolidated income statement. We have included a reconciliation of our
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2005 aggregate period results to our consolidated income statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP in the table below:
|
AerCap B.V. |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
Aggregate non-GAAP |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2005 |
Six months ended December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
|||||||
|
(US dollars in millions) |
|||||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 162.2 | $ | 173.6 | $ | 335.8 | ||||
Sales revenues | 75.8 | 12.5 | 88.3 | |||||||
Management fee revenue | 6.5 | 7.7 | 14.2 | |||||||
Interest revenue | 13.1 | 20.3 | 33.4 | |||||||
Other revenue | 3.5 | 1.0 | 4.5 | |||||||
Total revenue | 261.1 | 215.1 | 476.2 | |||||||
Depreciation | 66.4 | 45.9 | 112.3 | |||||||
Cost of goods sold | 57.6 | 10.6 | 68.2 | |||||||
Interest on debt | 69.9 | 44.7 | 114.6 | |||||||
Operating lease-in costs | 13.9 | 11.4 | 25.3 | |||||||
Leasing expenses | 15.3 | 12.2 | 27.5 | |||||||
Provisions for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | 3.2 | 3.0 | 6.2 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 19.6 | 26.9 | 46.5 | |||||||
Total expenses | 245.9 | 154.7 | 400.6 | |||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 15.2 | 60.4 | 75.6 | |||||||
Provisions for income taxes | 0.6 | (10.6 | ) | (10.0 | ) | |||||
Net income | $ | 15.8 | $ | 49.8 | $ | 65.6 | ||||
The aggregation of the results of operations data for 2005 is not in accordance with US GAAP. Since AerCap Holdings N.V is a different reporting entity for accounting purposes from AerCap B.V., the aggregated information should be considered as supplemental information only. The financial information presented for this combined period reflects the addition, with no adjustments, of the results of AerCap B.V. for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and the results of AerCap Holdings N.V. for the initial accounting period ended December 31, 2005.
Revenues. Our total revenues increased by $338.2 million, or 71.0%, to $814.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $476.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. In the year ended December 31, 2006, we generated $689.2 million of revenue in our aircraft segment and $125.2 million of revenue in our engine and parts segment, and, in the year ended December 31, 2005, we generated $476.2 million of revenue in our aircraft segment and no revenue in our engine and parts segment since we had not yet acquired AeroTurbine. The principle categories of our revenue and their variances were:
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Increase/ (decrease) |
Percentage Difference |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||
Lease revenue | $ | 335.8 | $ | 443.9 | $ | 108.1 | 32.2 | % | ||||
Sales revenue | 88.3 | 301.4 | 213.1 | 241.3 | % | |||||||
Management fee revenue | 14.2 | 14.1 | (0.1 | ) | (0.7 | )% | ||||||
Interest revenue | 33.4 | 34.7 | 1.3 | 3.9 | % | |||||||
Other revenue | 4.5 | 20.3 | 15.8 | 351.1 | % | |||||||
Total | $ | 476.2 | $ | 814.4 | 338.2 | 71.0 | % | |||||
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The increase in lease revenue was attributable primarily to:
The increase in sales revenue was attributable primarily to:
Management fee revenue did not materially change in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005.
Interest revenue did not materially change in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005.
The increase in other revenue was due to the increase in revenue from the sale of financial assets in the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. In the year ended December 31, 2006, we sold four unsecured notes receivable for a gain of $15.8 million, received $2.1 million from an investment in liquidation, sold notes secured by aircraft for a gain of $0.7 million and received $1.7 million from an insurance claim on an engine. In the year ended December 31, 2005, we sold our AerCo Series D Note for a gain of $4.6 million which was partially offset by our sale of notes secured by aircraft for a loss of $0.1 million.
Depreciation. Depreciation decreased by $9.9 million, or 8.8%, to $102.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $112.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 due primarily to the reduction of our asset values in connection with the 2005 Acquisition. The decrease was partially offset by the acquisition of 41 new aircraft between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006 with a book value at the time of the acquisition of $928.5 million and the increased depreciation resulting from the AeroTurbine Acquisition.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased by $152.1 million, or 223.0%, to $220.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $68.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2005 due primarily to:
62
Interest on Debt. Our interest on debt increased by $51.6 million, or 45.0%, to $166.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $114.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase in interest on debt was principally caused by:
Other Operating Expenses. Our other operating expenses decreased by $12.5 million, or 21.2%, to $46.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $59.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. The principal categories of our other operating expenses and their variances were as follows:
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Increase/ (decrease) |
Percentage difference |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US$ in millions) |
|||||||||||
Operating lease in costs | $ | 25.3 | $ | 25.2 | $ | (0.1 | ) | (0.4 | )% | |||
Leasing expenses | 27.5 | 21.5 | (6.0 | ) | (21.8 | )% | ||||||
Provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | 6.2 | (0.2 | ) | (6.4 | ) | (103.2 | )% | |||||
Total | $ | 59.0 | $ | 46.5 | $ | (12.5 | ) | 21.2 | % | |||
Our leasing expenses decreased in the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily because we incurred lower maintenance expenses due to fewer lessee defaults than in 2005.
Our provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable was lower in the year ended December 31, 2006 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2005 due to the decrease in lessee defaults in the year ended December 31, 2006 and the impact of some recoveries of provisioned receivables in the year ended December 31, 2006.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $102.9 million, or 221.3%, to $149.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $46.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2005, due primarily to (i) charges for share-based compensation in the amount of $78.6 million in 2006 which did not occur in 2005, (ii) the AeroTurbine Acquisition, which resulted in a $21.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and (iii) start-up costs for our two consolidated joint ventures, AerVenture and Bella, which totaled $3.8 million.
Net Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interests. For the reasons explained above, our income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests increased by $54.0 million, or 71.4%, to $129.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $75.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2005.
63
Provision for Income Taxes. Our provision for income taxes increased by $11.2 million or 112.0% to $21.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $10.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2005. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2005 was 13.2% and was 16.4% for the year ended December 31, 2006. The effective tax rate in 2006 was impacted by (i) charges for share-based compensation in the U.S., only a portion of which are tax-deductible, (ii) a reduction in the Netherlands corporate tax rate which resulted in a reduction of our Netherlands deferred tax assets and (iii) the reduction of a valuation allowance against our Swedish tax assets.
Net Income. For the reasons explained above, our net income increased by $43.4 million, or 66.2%, to $109.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 from $65.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2005.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We satisfy our liquidity requirements through several sources, including:
Aircraft leasing and trading is a capital intensive business. We believe that our existing cash balance and anticipated future operating cash flows, including proceeds arising from the sale of aircraft, engines and parts, will be sufficient to satisfy the operating requirements of our business through 2008. In the longer term, we expect to fund the growth of our business, including the acquisition of aircraft and engines, through internally generated cash flows, the incurrence of bank debt and the issuance of debt and equity securities. For additional information on the availability of funding under our revolving credit facilities see "Indebtedness".
The acquisition of aircraft and engines drives our growth and fuels our long-term need for liquidity. It is our intention to fund future aircraft and engines acquisitions initially through cash flows from our operations, borrowings under existing credit facilities, borrowings under debt facilities yet to be contracted and government guaranteed debt issuances, and to repay all or a portion of the borrowings from time to time with the net proceeds from a variety of capital market and bank sources, including securitizations and from aircraft and engine sale proceeds. Therefore, our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the growth of our business, depends to a significant degree on our ability to secure additional financing. Whether we will be able to obtain financing will depend upon a number of factors, such as our historical and expected performance, industry and market trends, the availability of capital and the relative attractiveness of alternative investments. The availability and cost of debt financing has been negatively impacted by the current turmoil in global financial markets. Given the amount of committed and available debt financing and our ability in the past to access government guaranteed debt issuances, we believe that we will have adequate funds to support both contracted and forecasted growth targets through the sources indicated above. However, future deterioration in our performance or our markets could limit our ability to obtain financing and/or increase our cost of capital, which may negatively affect our ability to raise additional funds and grow our business.
Our liquidity also depends on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us in the form of interest and principal payments or the return of subordinated investments. Substantially, all of our owned aircraft are held through special purpose subsidiaries, consolidated joint ventures or finance structures which borrow funds to finance or refinance the aircraft. Most of the commercial bank loans
64
and export credit facility financings restrict the payment of dividends in the event that the borrower is in default under the applicable loan, which can include the failure to meet financial ratios or tests. Our revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by affiliates of UBS Real Estate Securities Inc. permits limited distributions to us by the relevant subsidiary borrower during the first two years provided specified principal payments are made. AeroTurbine's revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by affiliates of Calyon permits distributions to us provided that specified financial ratios are met. The securitization of Aircraft Lease Securitisation allows distributions on the subordinated notes to us after the senior classes of notes are repaid. We believe we are in compliance with the financial covenants in all of our indebtedness. For more information on our indebtedness, see "Indebtedness".
From time to time, we enter into intercompany funding arrangements with our subsidiaries and/or provide capital contributions to them to ensure that our subsidiaries have sufficient liquidity to satisfy their contractual and operational requirements.
Cash Flows
|
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in millions) |
||||||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities | $ | 348.4 | $ | 205.9 | |||
Net cash flow used in investing activities | (843.3 | ) | (415.8 | ) | |||
Net cash flow provided by financing activities | 443.6 | 321.1 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to year ended December 31, 2006.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities. Our cash flows provided by operating activities decreased by $142.5, or 40.9% million to $205.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $348.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to a $140.8 million decrease in the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses, including maintenance liabilities and lessee deposits. This was primarily due to the increase in accrued maintenance liabilities and lessee deposits from the purchase of 24 used aircraft, subject to leases, during 2006 which did not occur in 2007.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities. Our cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $427.5 million, or 50.7%, to $415.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $843.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to (i) a $196.1 million increase in proceeds from the sale/disposition of aircraft, (ii) a $179.7 million decrease in purchase of flight equipment and (iii) the consideration paid, net of cash acquired, of $143.1 million to acquire AeroTurbine.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities. Our cash flows provided by financing activities decreased by $122.5 million, or 27.6%, to $321.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 from $443.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities was due primarily to the additional equity investment of $143.6 million in relation to our initial public offering in the year ended December 31, 2006.
Indebtedness
As of December 31, 2007, our outstanding indebtedness totaled $2.9 billion and primarily consisted of export credit facilities, Japanese operating lease financings, commercial bank debt, revolving credit debt, securitization debt and capital lease structures.
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The following table provides a summary of our indebtedness at December 31, 2007:
Debt Obligation |
Collateral |
Commitment |
Outstanding |
Undrawn amounts |
Weighted average interest rate |
Final stated Maturity |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||||
Export credit facilitiesfinancings | 17 aircraft | 1,067,164 | 563,835 | 503,329 | 5.24 | % | 2019 | |||||
Japanese operating lease financings | 3 aircraft | 95,819 | 95,819 | | 5.35 | % | 2015 | |||||
AerVenture A320 Pre-delivery payment facility | | 207,536 | 87,007 | 120,529 | 5.94 | % | 2010 | |||||
Airbus A330 Pre-delivery payment facility | | 182,594 | 28,372 | 154,222 | 5.72 | % | 2010 | |||||
UBS revolving credit facility | | 1,000,000 | 61,117 | 938,883 | 6.79 | % | 2014 | |||||
AeroTurbine revolving credit facility | 57 engines | 328,000 | 111,238 | 216,762 | 6.35 | % | 2012 | |||||
GATX portfolio acquisition facility | 21 aircraft | 278,443 | 128,443 | 150,000 | 6.62 | % | 2014 | |||||
Commercial bank debt | 13 aircraft & 3 engines | 231,414 | 231,414 | | 6.55 | % | 2019 | |||||
Aircraft Lease Securitisation debt | 65 aircraft | 1,407,623 | 1,407,623 | | 5.51 | % | 2032 | |||||
Capital lease obligations under defeasance structures | 4 aircarft | 177,876 | 177,876 | | 5.39 | % | 2010 | |||||
Total | 4,976,469 | 2,892,744 | 2,083,725 | |||||||||
The weighted average interest rate in the table above excludes the impact of related derivative instruments which we hold to hedge our exposure to interest rates.
See "Indebtedness" for more information regarding our indebtedness and see "Interest Rate Risk" for more information on our portfolio of derivative financial instruments.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on debt, executed purchase agreements to purchase aircraft, operating lease rentals on aircraft under lease in/lease out structures and rent payments pursuant to our office leases. We intend to fund our contractual obligations through our lines of credit and other borrowings as well as internally generated cash flows. We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our contractual obligations.
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of December 31, 2007:
Payments Due By Period as of December 31, 2007
Contractual Obligations |
Less than one year |
One to three years |
Three to five years |
Thereafter |
Total |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(U.S. dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||||||||
Debt(1) | $ | 548,145 | $ | 1,012,248 | $ | 656,309 | $ | 1,284,373 | $ | 3,501,075 | ||||||
Purchase obligations(2) | 807,271 | 3,235,140 | 684,466 | | 4,726,877 | |||||||||||
Operating leases(3) | 36,225 | 50,236 | 40,309 | 2,544 | 129,314 | |||||||||||
Derivative obligations | (2,880 | ) | (4,000 | ) | (5,947 | ) | (8,712 | ) | (21,540 | ) | ||||||
Total | 1,388,761 | 4,293,137 | 1,375,137 | 1,278,205 | 8,335,727 | |||||||||||
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Under the AerDragon joint venture agreement, we have contributed $15.0 million of equity to fund AerDragon's initial aircraft and engine purchases.
Capital Expenditures
Our primary capital expenditure is the purchase of aircraft, including pre-delivery payments under our 1999 aircraft purchase agreement with Airbus. The table below sets forth our capital expenditures for the historical periods indicated.
|
Year ended December 31, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
||||||
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 198,870 | $ | 879,497 | $ | 720,336 | |||
Pre-delivery payments | 46,315 | 93,708 | 164,074 |
In 2005, our principal capital expenditures were for five A320 aircraft and one A319 aircraft and pre-delivery payments for 12 aircraft. In 2006, our principal capital expenditures were for three A319 and three A320 aircraft delivered under our 1999 forward order agreement and 17 A320s, one A319, three 737-700/800s, six 737-300/400s, four 757s and one 767 purchased in portfolio or single aircraft purchase transactions. In 2007, our principal capital expenditures were for five A319, three A320 and two A321 aircraft delivered under our forward order agreements and ten A320s, four 737-700/800s, two 737-200/300/400s, two 757s, one 767, six MD82s, one MD83, one DC8, two Bombardier CRJ-100s and one Canadair CL600 purchased in portfolio or single aircraft purchase transactions.
The table below sets forth our expected capital expenditures for future periods indicated based on contracted commitments as of December 31, 2007.
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 443,940 | 1,131,658 | 1,460,959 | 248,196 | ||||
Pre-delivery payments | 363,331 | 442,493 | 200,030 | 126,051 | |||||
Total | $ | 807,271 | 1,574,151 | 1,660,989 | 374,247 | ||||
As of December 31, 2007, we expect to make capital expenditures related to the 50 A320 aircraft and 18 A319 aircraft on order by AerVenture between 2008 and 2011. As we implement our growth strategy and expand our aircraft and engine portfolio, we expect our capital expenditures to increase in the future. We anticipate that we will fund these capital expenditures through internally generated cash flows, draw downs on our committed revolving credit facilities and the incurrence of bank debt, and other debt and equity issuances.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2007, we were obligated to make sublease payments under six aircraft operating leases of aircraft with lease expiration dates between 2009 and 2013. We lease these six aircraft to aircraft operators. Since we are not fully exposed to the risks and rewards of ownership of these aircraft, we do not include these aircraft on our balance sheet. In addition, we do not recognize a financial liability for our operating lease obligations under the leases on our balance sheet. Due to the
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fact that sublease receipts related to these six aircraft are insufficient to cover our lease obligations, we have recognized an onerous contract accrual on our balance sheet which is equal to the difference between the present value of the lease expenses and the present value of the sublease income discounted at appropriate discount rates. This accounting treatment, however, does not result in the same presentation as if we accounted for these aircraft as owned assets and the related operating lease obligations as debt liabilities. Note 15 of our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report includes more information on this arrangement, including a table of future lease obligations by year. In February 2008, we purchased two of the six aircraft that had been subject to operating leases and terminated the operating leases as described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
We continue to have an economic interest in AerCo. This interest is not assigned any value on our balance sheet because we do not expect to realize any value for our investment.
We have other investments in companies or ventures in the airline industry which we obtain primarily through restructurings in our leasing business. The value of these investments are immaterial to our financial position. We do not consolidate such companies on our balance sheet because the investments do not meet the requirements for consolidation.
As discussed above, we have entered into two joint ventures, (Annabel and AerDragon) that do not qualify for consolidated accounting treatment. The assets and liabilities of these joint ventures are off our balance sheet and we only record our net investment under the equity method of accounting.
Management's use of "net income excluding non-cash charges relating to the mark-to-market of our interest rate caps and share-based compensation"
The following is a definition of a non-GAAP measure used in this report on form 20-F and a reconciliation of such measure to the most closely related GAAP measure:
Net income excluding non-cash charges relating to the mark-to-market of our interest rate caps and share-based compensation. This measure is determined by adding non-cash charges related to the mark-to-market losses on our interest rate caps and share-based compensation during the applicable period, net of related tax benefits, to GAAP net income. AerCap believes this measure provides investors with a more meaningful view of AerCap's operational performance and allows investors to better understand its operational performance in relation to past and future reporting periods. AerCap uses interest rate caps to allow the Company to benefit from decreasing interest rates and protect against the negative impact of rising interest rates on its floating rate debt. Management determines the appropriate level of caps in any period with reference to the mix of floating and fixed cash inflows from the Company's lease and other contracts. AerCap does not apply hedge accounting to its interest rate caps. As a result, AerCap is required to recognize the change in fair value of the interest rate caps in AerCap's income statement during each period. The following is a reconciliation of net income
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excluding non-cash charges relating to the mark-to-market of interest rate caps and share-based compensation to net income for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
|
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in millions) |
|||||||
Net income | $ | 109.0 | $ | 188.5 | (1) | |||
Plus: Non-cash charges relating to the mark-to-market of interest rate caps, net of tax | (6.8 | ) | 12.6 | |||||
Non-cash charges related to share-based compensation, net of tax | 69.1 | 9.5 | ||||||
Net income excluding non-cash charges related to mark-to-market of interest rate caps and share-based compensation | $ | 171.3 | $ | 210.6 | ||||
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements". SFAS 157 prescribes a single definition of fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 for financial assets and liabilities, as well as for any other assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in financial statements. In November 2007, the FASB issued FSP 157-2 which provided a one year deferral for the implementation of SFAS 157 for other nonfinancial assets and liabilities. We do not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material effect on our financial statements or our results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities". SFAS 159, which is expected to expand fair value measurement, permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. FAS 159 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2008. We do not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS 159 will have a material effect on our financial statements or our results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised), Business Combinations ("SFAS 141(R)"). The standard changes the accounting for business combinations, including the measurement of acquirer shares issued in consideration for a business combination, the recognition of contingent consideration, the accounting for preacquisition gain and loss contingencies, the recognition of capitalized in-process research and development, the accounting for acquisition-related restructuring cost accruals, the treatment of acquisition related transaction costs and the recognition of changes in the acquirer's income tax valuation allowance. SFAS 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 141(R) will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements," (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 re-characterizes minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries as non-controlling interests and requires the classification of minority interests as a component of equity. Under SFAS 160, a change in control will be measured at fair value, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. The effective date for SFAS 160 is for fiscal periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption and retroactive application of SFAS 160 to years preceding the effective date are not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of SFAS 160.
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Export Credit Facility Financings
General. In April 2003, we entered into an $840.0 million export credit facility for the financing of up to 20 Airbus A320 aircraft. Funding under the facility is provided by commercial banks, but the repayment is guaranteed by European export credit agencies. In January 2006, the export credit facility was amended and extended to cover an additional nine aircraft and its size increased to a maximum of $1.215 billion. The terms of the lending commitment in the export credit facility are such that the export credit agencies only approve funding for aircraft that are due for delivery on a six-months rolling basis and have no obligation to fund deliveries beyond that period. At December 31, 2007, we had financed 17 aircraft under this facility. We had $570.4 million of loans outstanding under our April 2003 export credit facility and the previous export credit facilities as of December 31, 2007.
Interest Rate. Set forth below are the interest rates for our export credit facilities.
|
Amount outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
Interest rate |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
|
||
Floating Rate Tranches: | 273,121 | Three-month LIBOR plus 0.12% | ||
254,510 | Three-month LIBOR plus 0.25% | |||
42,738 | Three-month LIBOR plus 0.30% | |||
Purchase accounting fair value adjustments | (6,534 | ) | ||
Total: | 563,835 | |||
Maturity Date. We are obligated to repay principal on the export credit facility over a 12-year term.
Collateral. The export credit facilities require legal title to the aircraft be transferred to and held by a special purpose company controlled by the respective lenders. We have entered into lease agreements on these aircraft which transfer the risk and rewards of ownership of the aircraft to AerCap. The obligations outstanding under the export credit facilities are secured by, among other things, a pledge of the shares of the company which holds legal title to the aircraft financed under the facility. Each subsidiary's obligations under the financings are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V.
Certain Covenants. The export credit facilities contain affirmative covenants customary for secured financings. The facilities also contain net worth financial covenants. In addition, loans under the 2003 export credit facilities contain change of control provisions that grant the lenders the right to prepayment of their loans in the event of a change of control, unless the lenders consent to the change of control, which was obtained in connection with the 2005 Acquisition. A change of control occurs under our April 2003 export credit facility if our shares cease to be listed on The New York Stock Exchange unless, at the time our shares cease to be listed on The New York Stock Exchange, at least 66.66% of our ordinary shares are owned and controlled by one or more shareholders rated at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Baa3 or more by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Aircraft Lease Securitisation
General. On May 8, 2007, we completed a refinancing of our securitization of the Aircraft Lease Securitisation with the issuance of $1.66 billion of securitized notes in one class of AAA-rated class G-3 floating rate notes. The proceeds from the refinancing were used to redeem all outstanding Aircraft Lease Securitisation debt, other than the most junior class of notes, to refinance the indebtedness that
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had been incurred to purchase 24 previously acquired aircraft, and to finance the purchase of four additional new aircraft, increasing Aircraft Lease Securitisation's aircraft portfolio size to 70 aircraft. The primary source of payments on the notes is lease payments on the aircraft owned by the subsidiaries of Aircraft Lease Securitisation. We retained the most junior class of notes in the securitization, as a result of which we still consolidate Aircraft Lease Securitisation's results in our financial statements.
MBIA Insurance Corporation issued a financial guaranty insurance policy to support the payment of interest when due and principal on the final maturity on the new notes, which are rated Aaa and AAA by Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, respectively.
Liquidity. Calyon provided a liquidity facility in the amount of $72.0 million, which may be drawn upon to pay expenses of Aircraft Lease Securitisation and its subsidiaries, senior hedge payments and interest on the new senior class of notes.
Interest Rate. Set forth below is the interest rate for the class of note not held by us.
|
Amount outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
Interest rate |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
|
|||
Class G3 notes | $ | 1,407,623 | One month LIBOR plus 0.26% |
Aircraft Management Services. We provide lease and aircraft management and re-leasing and remarketing services for Aircraft Lease Securitisation's aircraft, for which we receive a retainer fee of 0.212% per year of the initial appraised value of the aircraft, which was $2.1 billion, a monthly fee equal to 1.0% of the aggregate rent actually paid each month, and a sales-based incentive fee of 1.25% of the specified target sales prices for the sale or insured loss of an aircraft. The target sales price for an aircraft is 90% of the appraised value of the aircraft, which is adjusted annually. We also provide insurance services for which we receive an annual fee of $50,000 and administrative services for which we receive a monthly fee of $1,380 for each aircraft, subject to annual adjustments for inflation and a minimum of $0.2 million per year.
We may be terminated as manager and administrative agent by Aircraft Lease Securitisation or MBIA Insurance Corporation if we default on our obligations as manager or administrative agent or become insolvent. In addition, we may be terminated as manager if:
We, as manager, may not be removed or resign prior to the expiration of the servicing agreement unless a replacement manager has been appointed.
Payment Terms. The interest and principal payments on the notes are due on a monthly basis. To the extent that the amount of funds available for payment on any payment date exceeds the amount needed to pay all payments having an equal or higher priority under the trust indenture, any such excess funds will be applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the new notes by distributing such excess amount in accordance with the priority of payments set forth in the trust indenture.
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Aircraft Lease Securitisation may voluntarily redeem the new notes at a price that equals the outstanding principal balance of the applicable notes multiplied by a scheduled percentage. On the closing date of the securitization, the scheduled percentage for the new notes was 101% for the class G-3 notes, and such percentage decreases gradually until May 15, 2010. On that date, the redemption price of the notes will equal the outstanding principal balance of the notes. In addition, Aircraft Lease Securitisation must pay any accrued but unpaid interest on the notes and any premium due to MBIA Insurance Corporation upon redemption of the notes. Aircraft Lease Securitisation may redeem the notes in whole or in part, provided that if a default notice has been given under the trust indenture or the maturity of any notes has been accelerated then Aircraft Lease Securitisation may only redeem the notes in whole.
Maturity Date. The final maturity date of the notes will be May 10, 2032.
Collateral. The property of Aircraft Lease Securitisation includes the rights under the financial guaranty insurance policy. The notes are secured by security interests in and pledges or assignments of equity ownership and beneficial interests in the subsidiaries of Aircraft Lease Securitisation, as well as by the interests of Aircraft Lease Securitisation's subsidiaries' interests in leases of the aircraft they own, by cash held by or for them and by their rights under agreements with the service providers. Rentals and reserves paid under leases of the Aircraft Lease Securitisation aircraft will be placed in a collection account and paid out according to a priority of payments.
UBS Revolving Credit Facility
General. On April 26, 2006, our consolidated subsidiary, AerFunding 1 Limited entered into a non recourse senior secured revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion with UBS Real Estate Securities Inc., UBS Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and certain other financial institutions. The revolving loans under the UBS revolving credit facility are divided into two classes: class A loans, which have a maximum advance limit of $830.0 million and class B loans, which have a maximum advance limit of $170.0 million. As of December 31, 2007, we had $61.1 million of loans outstanding under the UBS revolving credit facility.
Borrowings under the UBS revolving credit facility can be used to finance between 66% and 79% of the appraised value of the acquired aircraft or, in the case of Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320 family aircraft, between 74% and 80% of the lower of the purchase price and the appraised value of the acquired aircraft. In addition, value enhancing expenditures and required liquidity reserves are also funded by the lenders. All borrowings under the UBS revolving credit facility are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and restrictions on the purchase of aircraft that would result in our portfolio becoming too highly concentrated, with regard to both aircraft type and geographical location. Notwithstanding these restrictions, we believe that the UBS revolving credit facility provides us with significant flexibility to purchase and finance aircraft.
Interest Rate. Borrowings under the UBS revolving credit facility bear interest (a) in the case of class A loans, based on the eurodollar rate plus the class A applicable margin, or (b) in the case of class B loans, based on the eurodollar rate plus the class B applicable margin. The following table sets
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forth the applicable margin for the three classes of the UBS revolving credit facility during the periods specified:
|
Class A |
Class B |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Borrowing period(1) | 1.75 | % | 4.25 | % | |
First 180 days following conversion | 2.50 | % | 5.00 | % | |
From 181 days to 360 days following conversion | 3.00 | % | 5.50 | % | |
From 361 days to 450 days following conversion | 3.25 | % | 5.75 | % | |
From 450 days to 541 days following conversion | 3.50 | % | 6.00 | % | |
Thereafter | 3.75 | % | 6.25 | % |
Additionally, we are subject to (a) a 0.25% fee on any unused portion of the unused class A loan commitment and (b) a 0.50% fee on any unused portion of the unused class B loan commitment.
Payment Terms. Interest on the loans is due on a monthly basis. Principal on the loans amortizes on a monthly basis to the extent funds are available. All outstanding principal not paid during the term is due on the maturity date.
Prepayment. Advances under the UBS revolving credit facility may be prepaid without penalty upon notice, subject to certain conditions. Mandatory partial prepayments of borrowings under the UBS revolving credit facility are required:
Maturity Date. The maturity date of the UBS revolving credit facility is May 12, 2014.
Cash Reserve. AerFunding is required to maintain up to 6.0% of the borrowing value of the aircraft in reserve for the benefit of the class A and B lenders. Amounts held in reserve for the benefit of the class A and B lenders are available to the extent there are insufficient funds to pay required expenses, hedge payments or principal of or interest on the class A and B loans on any payment date. The amounts on reserve are funded by the lenders.
Collateral. Borrowings under the UBS revolving credit facility are secured by, among other things, security interests in and pledges or assignments of equity ownership and beneficial interests in all of the subsidiaries of AerFunding, as well as by AerFunding's interests in the leases of its assets.
Certain Covenants. The UBS revolving credit facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of AerFunding and its subsidiaries to:
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AeroTurbine Calyon Credit Facility
General. On December 19, 2007, AeroTurbine entered into a second amended and restated senior credit agreement with Calyon and certain other financial institutions identified therein. Pursuant to this agreement, the total commitment of the credit facility under the first amended senior credit agreement increased from $220.0 million to $328.0 million, and a letter of credit facility in the commitment amount of $10.0 million (which amount is included in the total commitment of $328.0 million) was added. As of December 31, 2007, AeroTurbine had $111.2 million outstanding under the Calyon credit facility.
Interest Rate. Under the Calyon credit facility, AeroTurbine can borrow revolving loans based on either LIBOR or ABR (which is a rate per annum equal to the greater of the prime rate in effect on such day and the federals funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 1/4 of 1%). Set forth below are the interest rates for the Calyon revolving loan facility.
|
|
Interest rate |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Amount outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|||||||
|
ABR Loans |
LIBOR Loans |
||||||
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
|
|
|||||
Revolving Loan Facility | $ | 111,238 | ABR + 0.25 | % | LIBOR + 1.25 | % |
Prepayment. Advances under the Calyon credit facility may be prepaid without prepayment penalty. Mandatory prepayments of the Calyon facility are required:
Payment Terms. Payments of interest under the revolving loan facility are due quarterly (or, if the interest period is less than three months for a LIBOR loan, the last day of the interest period for that loan). Payments of principal on the revolving loan facility are due on the maturity date. All outstanding revolving loans not paid during the term shall be due on the maturity date. AeroTurbine will reimburse the letter of credit issuer for any drawing made under any outstanding letter of credit on the date AeroTurbine receives notice of such drawing (if such notice is received prior to 12 noon on such date) or on the immediately following business day (if such notice is received at or after 12 noon on such date).
Maturity Date. The maturity date of the Calyon credit facility is December 19, 2012.
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Collateral. Borrowings under the Calyon credit facility are secured by security interests in and pledges or assignments of all the shares and other ownership interests in AeroTurbine and its subsidiaries, as well as by all assets of AeroTurbine and its subsidiaries.
Certain Covenants. The Calyon credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of AeroTurbine to:
Japanese Operating Lease Financings
General. We entered into several Japanese operating lease financing structures to finance aircraft acquisitions. Funding under these structures is provided through a combination of senior commercial bank debt and subordinated loans from Japanese investors. At December 31, 2007, we had financed three aircraft under Japanese operating lease financings. The aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under Japanese operating leases financings was $95.8 million as of December 31, 2007.
Interest Rate. Set forth below are the interest rates for our senior loans and subordinated debt.
|
Amount outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
Average interest rates |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(US dollars in thousands) |
|
|||
Senior debt | $ | 64,732 | Three month LIBOR plus 0.96% | ||
Subordinated debt | 31,087 | Fixed rates 4.03% | |||
Total | $ | 95,819 | |||
Collateral. Our Japanese operating leases financings require legal title to the aircraft be transferred to and held by a special purpose company controlled by the respective lenders. We have entered into lease agreements on the subject aircraft which transfer the risk and rewards of ownership of the aircraft to us. The obligations outstanding under our Japanese operating leases financings are secured by a pledge of the shares of the company which holds legal title to the aircraft financed under the facility. Each subsidiary's obligations under the financings are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V.
Certain Covenants. Our Japanese operating leases financings contain affirmative covenants customary for secured financings.
AerVenture Pre-delivery Payment Facility
General. In November 2005, AerVenture signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 70 Airbus A320 family aircraft. A purchase agreement for the aircraft was signed in January 2006. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between November 2007 and August 2010. Under the purchase agreement, AerVenture agreed to make scheduled pre-delivery payments to Airbus prior to the physical
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delivery of each aircraft. In connection with the scheduled delivery of the first 30 aircraft before the end of 2009, AerVenture and Calyon entered into a facility on November 3, 2006, as amended and restated on July 27, 2007, in which Calyon has arranged a credit facility, the AerVenture facility, to finance a portion of the pre-delivery payments to Airbus in an amount up to $207.5 million.
Prior to drawing on the AerVenture facility, AerVenture will pay, on average, 15% of the pre-delivery payment amount owed for each aircraft. AerVenture must repay the lenders for the amounts drawn for the pre-delivery payment for each aircraft at the delivery date of that aircraft or, if the aircraft is not delivered on the scheduled delivery date, within three months of the scheduled delivery date. We agreed with Calyon that we will invest at least an additional $25 million in AerVenture, subject to limited exceptions. The aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under the AerVenture pre-delivery payment facility was $87.0 million as of December 31, 2007.
Interest Rate. Borrowings under the AerVenture facility will bear interest at a floating interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00%, payable quarterly in arrears.
Prepayment. Borrowings under the AerVenture facility may be prepaid without penalty, except for break funding costs if payment is made on a day other than an interest payment date. AerVenture will be required to repay the pre delivery payment financing relating to an aircraft on the date the aircraft is delivered to AerVenture.
Maturity Date. The maturity date of the AerVenture facility will be November 3, 2009, however, in the event of delayed delivery of the aircraft, the maturity date may be extended up to the earlier of (i) the delayed delivery date of the aircraft and (ii) January 31, 2010, for the repayment of the indebtedness financing the pre-delivery payments of the delayed aircraft.
Collateral. Borrowings under the AerVenture facility are secured by, among other things, the partial assignment of the airframe and engine purchase agreements in respect of the 30 aircraft covered by the facility, including the right to take delivery of the aircraft where Calyon has provided the pre-delivery payments and the aircraft remains undelivered.
Certain Covenants. The AerVenture facility contains customary affirmative and financial covenants for secured financings and a restriction on the payment of dividends while the facility is outstanding. All other financial covenants were removed when the facility was amended in July 2007. In addition, AerCap has agreed to maintain a minimum of 25% of the shares of AerVenture until the AerVenture facility is fully repaid.
A330 Pre-delivery Payment Facility
General. In December 2006, we signed a purchase agreement to purchase up to 20 Airbus A330 aircraft. In May 2007, the purchase agreement was amended to add 10 additional A330 aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between the first quarter of 2009 and the last quarter of 2012. Under the purchase agreement, we agreed to make scheduled pre-delivery payments to Airbus prior to the physical delivery of each aircraft. In connection with the scheduled delivery of the first eight aircraft before the end of 2009, we entered into a facility in October 2007, which was arranged by Citigroup Global Markets Limited, to finance a portion of the pre-delivery payments to Airbus in an amount up to $182.6 million. Prior to drawing on the facility, will pay, on average, 10% of the pre-delivery payment amount owed for each aircraft. We must repay the lenders for the amounts drawn for the pre-delivery payment for each aircraft at the delivery date of that aircraft or, if the aircraft is not delivered on the scheduled delivery date, within three months of the scheduled delivery date. The aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under this facility was $28.4 million as of December 31, 2007.
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Interest Rate. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at a floating interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.75%, payable monthly in arrears after the initial drawing on the AerCap Facility.
Prepayment. Borrowings under this facility may be prepaid (subject to minimum amounts of $5.0 million or integral multiples thereof and subject to AerCap Holdings N.V. giving the agent at least 10 Business Days' notice) without penalty, except for break funding costs if payment is made on a day other than an interest payment date.
Maturity Date. The maturity date of this facility will be the earlier of (a) the delivery date for the final aircraft to be delivered and (b) 31 January 2010.
Collateral. Borrowings under this facility are secured by, among other things, the partial assignment of the airframe and engine purchase agreements in respect of the eight aircraft covered by the facility, including the right to take delivery of the aircraft where the Lenders have provided the pre-delivery payments and the aircraft remains undelivered.
Guarantee. AerCap Holdings N.V. guarantees the performance by AerCap Ireland Limited of its obligations under this facility and related documentation.
Certain Covenants. This facility contains customary covenants for secured financings. We also covenant in this facility (a) not to elect to change the configuration of any aircraft from a multi-passenger layout; and (b) to prepay to the relevant manufacturer or supplier any SCN or BFE costs incurred in excess of the agreed budgets set out in this facility..
GATX Aircraft Calyon Facility
General. On October 12, 2006, a wholly owned subsidiary entered into a senior secured loan facility in the aggregate amount of up to $248.0 million with Calyon and certain other financial institutions in order to finance the purchase of up to 25 aircraft from GATX. Borrowings under the senior facility were used to finance the lesser of 70% of the purchase price of each aircraft and a scheduled percentage of the loan amount allocated to such aircraft. Concurrently with the facility, we provided junior and subordinated debt to finance the balance of the purchase price. This subsidiary entered into (a) a junior loan facility with us in an aggregate amount of up to $30.5 million to finance a portion of the purchase price of each aircraft not financed under the senior facility and (b) a subordinated note purchase agreement to finance the portion of the purchase price of each such aircraft not financed under the senior facility or the junior facility.
We, or one of our wholly owned subsidiaries currently provide the junior loan facility and the subordinated note financing. As of December 31, 2007, the amount outstanding under the senior facility was $128.4 million.
On December 20, 2007, the original facility was amended and supplemented to allow for an additional senior facility in an aggregate amount of up to $150.0 million to be provided by Calyon and certain other financial institutions. This additional facility is available to finance a percentage (calculated by reference to relevant aircraft types and lease status) of the purchase price of a variety of specified aircraft makes and models. We concurrently provide subordinated debt to finance the balance of the purchase price of such additional aircraft under the amended subordinated note purchase agreement, to which the additional borrower has acceded. As of December 31, 2007, no drawings had been made under the additional Facility.
The original borrower and the additional borrower are jointly and severally liable for their respective obligations and liabilities under the original facility, the additional facility and all related documentation.
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Interest Rate. Borrowings under the senior facilities bear interest at a rate of one month LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum for the first five years of the term, and at a rate of one month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum for the remainder of the term.
Prepayment. After full repayment of amounts outstanding under the liquidity facility described below, prepayment of borrowings under the senior facilities is permitted with notice, subject to a prepayment fee during the initial two years of the senior facility. Mandatory prepayments of borrowings related to a particular aircraft are required:
Payment Terms. Payments of principal and interest under the loan are due on a monthly basis, and all outstanding principal not paid during the term is due on the final maturity date.
Maturity Date. The final maturity date of the loans is October 17, 2014.
Put to AerCap. If the junior and senior loans attributable to any financed aircraft are not paid by the earlier of (a) the 21st anniversary of the date of manufacture of such aircraft and (b) the final maturity date of the loans, then the collateral agent for the lenders may cause such aircraft to be sold to our wholly owned subsidiary, AerCap B.V., for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the junior and senior loans attributable to such aircraft together with breakage costs plus a pro rata portion of any amounts outstanding under the liquidity facility and taxes and expenses.
Liquidity Facility. Calyon have provided a liquidity facility in the maximum amount of $27.0 million through December 2009; thereafter the liquidity facility is available in an amount equal to the difference between (i) $27.0 million multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the senior facilities and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount outstanding under the senior facilities at December 2009. The liquidity facility may be drawn upon to finance any shortfall in certain amounts owed on any repayment date, including, minimum principal payments, payments of interest due under the senior or junior facility and certain expenses.
Aircraft Management Services. We will provide aircraft management services in respect of the financed aircraft, for which we will receive a fee.
Collateral. Borrowings under the senior facility are secured by mortgages on the aircraft and security interest in and pledges or assignments of all the shares and other ownership interests in the borrowers and their subsidiaries, as well as their bank accounts and lease interests.
Certain Covenants. The loans include general and operating covenants that restrict the borrowers from incurring additional indebtedness and other limitations which are customary for such credit facilities.
Other Commercial Bank Financings
We have entered into various commercial bank financings to fund the purchase of aircraft. The financings mature at various dates through 2019. The interest rates are LIBOR based with spreads ranging from 0.95% to 1.80%. The financings are secured by, among other things, a pledge of the shares of the subsidiaries owning the related aircraft, a guarantee from us and, in certain cases, a mortgage on the applicable aircraft. The aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under the commercial bank financings was $231.4 million as of December 31, 2007.
All of our financings contain affirmative covenants customary for secured financings. Four of the commercial bank financings contain change of control provisions that grant the lenders the right to prepayment of their loans in the event of a change of control, unless the lenders consent to the change of control.
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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Directors and senior management.
Name |
Age |
Position |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Directors | ||||
Pieter Korteweg | 66 | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||
Ronald J. Bolger | 60 | Non-Executive Director | ||
James N. Chapman | 45 | Non-Executive Director | ||
Klaus W. Heinemann | 56 | Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer | ||
W. Brett Ingersoll | 44 | Non-Executive Director | ||
Marius J.L. Jonkhart | 58 | Non-Executive Director | ||
Gerald P. Strong | 63 | Non-Executive Director | ||
David J. Teitelbaum | 36 | Non-Executive Director | ||
Robert G. Warden | 35 | Non-Executive Director | ||
Executive Officers |
||||
Wouter M. (Erwin) den Dikken | 40 | Chief Legal Officer; Chief Executive Officer AerCap Ireland | ||
Patrick P. den Elzen | 42 | Head of Trading | ||
Soeren E. Ferré | 40 | Head of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia/Pacific Regions; Chief Executive Officer AerCap Group Services B.V. | ||
Nicolas Finazzo | 51 | AeroTurbine Chief Executive Officer | ||
Keith A. Helming | 49 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Aengus Kelly | 34 | Chief Executive Officer AerCap, Inc. | ||
Heinrich H. Loechteken | 46 | Chief Investment Officer | ||
Anil Mehta | 58 | Executive Vice President of Americas | ||
Robert B. Nichols | 51 | AeroTurbine Chief Operating Officer | ||
Cole T. Reese | 43 | Chief Tax & Accounting Officer; Chief Operating Officer AerCap Group Services B.V. | ||
Reynoud K. Simonis | 44 | Chief Technical Officer |
Directors
Pieter Korteweg. Mr. Korteweg has been a director of our company since September 20, 2005. He serves as Vice Chairman of Cerberus Global Investment Advisors,LLC, and Director of Cerberus entities in the Netherlands. In addition, he serves as member of the Board of Directors of Aozora Bank Ltd (Tokio) and Member of the Supervisory Board of BawagPSK Bank (Vienna). He currently serves as Member of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes Benz Nederland BV and of Hypo Real Estate Holding AG (Munich). He also serves as senior advisor to Anthos B.V. Mr. Korteweg previously served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Pensions and Insurance Supervisory Authority of The Netherlands, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics and Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of De Nederlandsche Bank from 2002 to 2004. From 1987 to 2001, Mr. Korteweg was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Group Executive Committee of Robeco Group in Rotterdam. From 1981 to 1986, he was Treasurer-General at The Netherlands Ministry of Finance. In addition, Mr. Korteweg was a professor of economics from 1971 to 1998 at Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Mr. Korteweg holds a PhD in Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Ronald J. Bolger. Mr. Bolger has been a director of our company since October 11, 2005. Mr. Bolger currently serves as a member of the board of directors of a number of companies including Ely Capital Ltd., Irish Food Processors, C & D Foods Ltd., Galway Clinic Doughiska Ltd. and Global Shares Plc. He is a former Managing Partner of KPMG Ireland and has wide experience in the
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financial services industry. He served on the Irish Prime Minister's Committee for Dublin's International Financial Services Centre from 1987 to 2002. Mr. Bolger was appointed Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Ireland in 2000. Mr. Bolger is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BA in Economics from University College Dublin.
James N. Chapman. Mr. Chapman has been a director of our company since December 7, 2005. Mr. Chapman is non-executive Vice Chairman and Director of SkyWorks Leasing, LLC, an aircraft management services company based in Greenwich, Connecticut, which he joined in December 2004. Prior to SkyWorks, Mr. Chapman joined Regiment Capital Advisors, LLC in January 2003, a high-yield hedge fund based in Boston. Prior to Regiment, Mr. Chapman was a capital markets and strategic planning consultant and worked with private and public companies as well as hedge funds (including Regiment) across a range of industries. Mr. Chapman was affiliated with The Renco Group, Inc. from December 1996 to December 2001. Presently, Mr. Chapman serves as a member of the board of directors of Scottish Re Group Ltd., Chrysler LLC and Tembec, Inc., as well as a number of private companies. Mr. Chapman received an MBA with distinction from Dartmouth College and was elected as an Edward Tuck Scholar. He received his BA, with distinction, magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, in addition to being a Rufus Choate Scholar.
Klaus W. Heinemann. Mr. Heinemann has been the Chief Executive Officer of our company since April 2003 and has over 25 years of experience in the aviation financing industry. Mr. Heinemann has been a director of our company since 2002. Mr. Heinemann joined our company in October 2002 from DVB Bank, where he was a Member of the Executive Board. In 1988 he joined the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan in London as Deputy General Manager and Head of the Aviation Group. He was later appointed as Joint General Manager of the Head Office at the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, where he was responsible for the Transportation Finance division before this division was sold to DVB Bank in 1998. Mr. Heinemann started his career with Bank of America in 1976, where he helped to build up its Aviation Finance department in Europe. Mr. Heinemann holds the degree of Diplom-Kaufmann (Bachelor of Commerce) from the University of Hamburg.
W. Brett Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll has been a director of our company since September 20, 2005. He is currently a Managing Director of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., Co-Head of its Private Equity Practice and a member of its Investment Committee. Mr. Ingersoll is also a director of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. and a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. In addition, Mr. Ingersoll is a director of various public and private companies, including Chrysler, LLC,, IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., Entrecap, LLC, Talecris Bio Therapeutics, Inc. and Endura Care, LLC. Prior to joining Cerberus in 2002, Mr. Ingersoll was a Partner at JP Morgan Partners (formerly Chase Capital Partners) from 1993 to 2002. Mr. Ingersoll received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BA from Brigham Young University.
Marius J.L. Jonkhart. Mr. Jonkhart has been a director of our company since October 11, 2005. He is currently also a member of the Supervisory Boards of BAWAG P.S.K. AG, Connexxion Holding N.V., Corus Nederland N.V., Orco Bank International N.V. and Staatsbosbeheer, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ruimte voor Ruimte Beheer B.V and a non-executive director of Aozora Bank. Mr. Jonkhart is an advisor to Cerberus Global Investment Advisors, LLC. Mr Jonkhart is currently Chief Executive Officer of NOB Holding N.V. and was previously the Chief Executive Officer of De Nationale Investerings Bank N.V. and also served as the director of monetary affairs of the Dutch Ministry of finance. He was also a professor of finance at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He has served as a member of a number of supervisory boards, including the Supervisory Boards of the European Investment Bank, Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten N.V., Postbank N.V., NPM Capital N.V., Kema N.V., AM Holding N.V. and De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. He has also served as chairman of the Investment Board of ABP Pension Fund and several other funds. Mr. Jonkhart holds a Master's degree
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in Business Administration, a Master's degree in Business Economics and a PhD in Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Gerald P. Strong. Mr. Strong has been a director of our company since July 26, 2006. He currently is a Managing Director of Cerberus Capital Partners' operations in Europe. Mr. Strong has extensive senior experience in a number of industries, including airlines, global communications, retailing, and consumer products. He has served senior roles in the restructuring and building of a number of international businesses in his career. Mr. Strong was Chairman of the Advisory Board on Telecom Security to the government of the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2005 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Teleglobe International Holdings Limited. He is also a member of the Governing Council of the Ashridge Business School, a Director of NewPage Corporation and Chairman of Virtual IT. Mr. Strong received his BA with honors from Trinity College, Dublin.
David J. Teitelbaum. Mr. Teitelbaum has been a director of our company since September 20, 2005. Mr. Teitelbaum is a Managing Director of Cerberus Capital Management, LLC and has worked for Cerberus and/or its affiliates since 1997. Prior to joining Cerberus, Mr. Teitelbaum worked in the investment banking department of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr Teitelbaum holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.
Robert G. Warden. Mr. Warden has been a director of our company since September 20, 2005. He is also currently a Managing Director of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., which he joined in February 2003. Mr. Warden is also currently a director of various public and private companies, including Bluelinx Corporation, Chrysler LLC and Four Points Media Group LLC. Prior to joining Cerberus, Mr. Warden was a Vice President at J.H. Whitney from May 2000 to February 2003, a Principal at Cornerstone Equity Investors LLC from July 1998 to May 2000 and an Associate at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette from July 1995 to July 1998. Mr. Warden received his AB from Brown University.
Executive Officers
Wouter M. (Erwin) den Dikken. Mr. den Dikken was appointed as our Chief Legal Officer in 2005 and has served as the Head of the Group Legal Services department since 2004. In addition to his responsibilities as Chief Legal Officer, he has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of our Irish operations in 2007. He joined our legal department in 1998. Prior to joining us, Mr. den Dikken worked for an international packaging company in Germany as Senior Legal Counsel where he focused on mergers and acquisitions. Mr. den Dikken holds a law degree from Utrecht University.
Patrick P. den Elzen. Mr. den Elzen was appointed as the Head of Trading in 2005 and he served as the Vice President of Financial Engineering of our company prior to this appointment. Prior to joining us in October 2003, Mr. den Elzen worked as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development with IEM Airfinance for two years, and before that, he worked in various capacities with ING Bank and ING Lease for eight years. Mr. den Elzen holds a Master's degree from the University of Amsterdam in Business Administration and International Financial Markets.
Soeren E. Ferré. Mr. Ferré has been the Head of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia/Pacific Region of our company since June 2006. He joined our company in September 2003 as Vice President of Marketing for the Asia/Pacific region. In July 2004, he was appointed as the Head of Sales and Marketing for the Asia/Pacific region. In addition to his responsibilities as Head of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia/Pacific Region, he has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of AerCap Group Services, B.V. in January 2008. He started his career at Airbus in 1990 and was based in Toulouse, France. In 1995, he moved to China and became the head of the marketing team covering China, Hong Kong and Macau for Airbus prior to becoming a Sales Director in 1999 in charge of the major Chinese airlines. In 2001, Mr. Ferré moved to Sydney to become the Director of Sales for the Pacific region for
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Airbus where he was in charge of the major airlines in that region. Mr. Ferré holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from the ENACEcole National de l'Aviation Civile.
Nicolas Finazzo. Mr. Finazzo is the Chief Executive Officer of AeroTurbine, which he co-founded in 1997. He has been active in the aviation industry for over 25 years. In 1982 he founded Air Florida commuter carrier Southern Express Airways. In 1987 Mr. Finazzo joined Miami-based Greenwich Air Services as Vice PresidentContracts. In 1992 he became Vice President & General Counsel to Miami-based International Air Leases, and in 1997, he accepted a similar position at Miami-based AeroThrust Corp. Mr. Finazzo earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law and a BS in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Florida Bar and also holds an Airframe & Powerplant license issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Keith A. Helming. Mr. Helming assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer of AerCap effective August 21, 2006. Prior to joining us, he was a long standing executive at GE Capital Corporation, including serving recently for five years as Chief Financial Officer at aircraft lessor GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS). He was with General Electric Company for over 25 years, beginning with their Financial Management Program in 1981. In addition to the GECAS role, Mr. Helming served as the Chief Financial Officer of GE Corporate Financial Services, GE Fleet Services and GE Consumer Finance in the United Kingdom, and also held a variety of other financial positions throughout his career at GECC. Mr. Helming holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Indiana University.
Aengus Kelly. Mr. Kelly served as our Group Treasurer from 2005 through December 31, 2007. He has been Chief Executive Officer of our US operations since January 2008. He started his career in the aviation leasing and financing business with Guinness Peat Aviation in 1998 and has continued working with its successors AerFi in Ireland and debis AirFinance and AerCap in Amsterdam. Prior to joining GPA in 1998, he spent three years with KPMG in Dublin. Mr. Kelly is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and a Master's degree in Accounting and Finance from University College Dublin.
Heinrich H. Loechteken. Mr. Loechteken has been the Chief Investment Officer of our company since August 2006. Prior to serving as our Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Loechteken served as our Chief Financial Officer between September 2002 and August 2006. Prior to his employment with us, Mr. Loechteken served as the Chief Financial Officer of DaimlerChrysler Capital Services in Norwalk, Connecticut, where he was responsible for the financial operations of the non-automotive finance activities of DaimlerChrysler in North America, Europe and Asia. He also served as the Chief Credit Officer for DaimlerChrysler Services in Berlin, Germany prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. Before joining DaimlerChrysler in 1996, he worked for six years in various positions in corporate finance, credit analysis and credit risk management at Deutsche Bank. Mr. Loechteken holds the degree of Diplom-Kaufmann from the University of Muenster where he majored in Finance and Bank Controlling.
Anil Mehta. Mr. Mehta has been the Executive Vice President of Americas for our company since June 2006. Prior to serving in this capacity, he was the Head of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Indian Subcontinent Region since 2004. Mr. Mehta joined our company in 1997 in the Marketing and Sales Department and was promoted to become the Executive Vice President of Marketing and a Member of the Group Executive Committee in 2003. Mr. Mehta has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. Mr. Mehta has served in various capacities at Fokker Aircraft based in Amsterdam, holding various positions in Flight Test, Performance Engineering, Marketing and Sales. In 1989 he moved to the United States to serve as Regional Sales Director. Anil Mehta has a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology & Science in Pilani, India.
Robert B. Nichols. Mr. Nichols is the Chief Operating Officer for AeroTurbine and co-founded AeroTurbine in 1997. He has been active in the aviation industry for over 20 years. He joined Aviall in
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1982 and assumed various roles in the administration of JT8D & CFM56-3 power plant maintenance. Mr. Nichols joined Braniff Airways in 1988 as Manager of Powerplant & Warranty Administration and participated in the oversight of outsourced powerplant maintenance covering JT8D, V2500 and Tay-650 engines. When Braniff ceased operations, Mr. Nichols joined Greenwich Air Services in 1989 as Director of Engine Maintenance Sales. In 1990 he joined AeroThrust Corp. where he became Vice President of Engine Sales & Leasing. Mr. Nichols is a graduate of the University of Texas where he earned a BS in Business Administration.
Cole T. Reese. Mr. Reese has been the Chief Tax and Accounting Officer of our company since September 2002. In addition to his responsibilities as Chief Tax and Accounting Officer, he has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of AerCap Group Services, B.V. in January 2008. Prior to joining AerCap, Mr. Reese worked for nine years for MCC Financial Corporation, a turboprop operating lessor in Washington D.C., where he ultimately became Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Reese also worked for three years with Ernst & Young. He is a U.S. certified public accountant and holds a Master's degree in Accountancy and a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
Reynoud K. Simonis. Mr. Simonis has been the Chief Technical Officer of our company since 2005. Mr. Simonis joined our company in 1998 as Technical Manager and was eventually promoted to become Senior Vice President of the Technical department. Mr. Simonis started his career in 1989 at the Schreiner Aviation Group where he held various positions in technical management, quality management and material management, and was based in The Netherlands as well as Lagos, Nigeria. In 1996, he joined Transavia Airlines as Quality Manager. Mr. Simonis holds a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Delft University of Technology.
Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
We currently pay each non-executive director who is not affiliated with Cerberus an annual fee of €75,000 and pay each of these directors an additional €2,000 per meeting. We pay our Chairman of our Board of Directors €150,000 per year. In addition, we pay the chairs of the Audit Committee and Nomination and Compensation Committee an annual fee of €18,000 and each committee member will receive an annual fee of €6,000 and a fee of €2,000 per committee meeting. All members of the Board of Directors are reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors.
Executive Officer Compensation
In 2007, we paid an aggregate of approximately $9.4 million in cash and benefits as compensation to our 12 executive officers during the year. In 2007, we paid our executive officers annual target bonuses, which are based on the achievement of personal targets, as set out in a personal target agreement. All bonuses are determined by our Chief Executive Officer with approval from the Nomination and Compensation Committee, and the Nomination and Compensation Committee determines the amount of any bonuses paid to our Chief Executive Officer.
Equity Incentive Plan
Bermuda Parents Equity Incentive Plan
The Bermuda Parents, our indirect shareholders, have implemented an equity incentive plan that is designed to motivate and retain individuals who are responsible for the attainment of our primary long-term performance goals. The plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options for shares of common stock and restricted shares of common stock of the Bermuda Parents to participants of the plan selected by the boards of directors of the Bermuda Parents or a committee of each of their respective boards of directors or the administrator of the plan. Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of shares available to be granted under the plan is equal to 25% of the outstanding common shares of the Bermuda Parents. As of December 2007, common
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shares or options to purchase common shares of the Bermuda Parents, representing indirectly 8.5% of our ordinary shares on a fully diluted basis, were issued and are outstanding under the plan.
All shares and options granted under the Bermuda Parents equity incentive plan vested after completion of our initial public offering in November 2006 or as of December 31, 2007, except for options outstanding to three members of management representing indirectly 0.5% of our ordinary shares. Even after vesting, pursuant to a shareholders agreement, all vested common shares and options to purchase common shares of the Bermuda Parents issued under the plan (other than common shares held by the former AeroTurbine owners and our directors) are subject to repurchase by the Bermuda Parents in the event the manager leaves his position without good cause or is terminated by us with cause, at a price equal to the lower of the cost or fair value until the termination of the two-year lock-up period described below. All common shares and options to purchase common shares are also subject to repurchase at fair value if the manager leaves for any other reason. The common shares of the Bermuda Parents are also subject to Cerberus's drag-along rights and the plan participant's tag-along rights in the event of certain transactions involving sales of the common shares of the Bermuda Parents.
In connection with our initial public offering, the members of our senior management and directors who have received shares or options to purchase shares of the Bermuda Parents under the Bermuda Parents equity incentive plan agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of any of our ordinary shares directly held by them or indirectly held through the Bermuda Parents. Subject to limited exceptions, the lock-up is for a period of two years from the date of our initial public offering was consummated. In addition, the members of our senior management and directors holding common shares of the Bermuda Parents also have received the right, beginning on the second anniversary our initial public offering and ending on the fifth anniversary, to exchange Bermuda Parents common shares for our ordinary shares held by the selling shareholders in amounts representing their indirect interest in us held through the Bermuda Parents. To assist our management and directors in the resale of our ordinary shares to be held by them upon such exchange, we have agreed to file a registration statement and use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the registration statement continuously effective until all applicable ordinary shares have been sold or can be sold without registration under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
The indirect ownership in our ordinary shares represented by the grants of shares and options discussed above are reflected in the table under "Share Ownership".
AerCap Holdings N.V. Equity Incentive Plan
On October 31, 2006, we implemented an equity incentive plan that is designed to promote our interests by enabling us to attract, retain and motivate directors, employees, consultants and advisors and align their interests with ours. Our new equity incentive plan provides for the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock awards ("NV Equity Grants") to participants of the plan selected by the Nomination and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of shares available to be granted under the plan is equal to 5% of our outstanding shares.
The terms and conditions of awards, including vesting provisions for stock options, are determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee, or as set forth in an award agreement: (a) each stock option is granted for ten years from the date of grant, or, in the case of certain key employees, i.e., employees owning more than 10% of our ordinary shares, for five years from the date of grant; provided, however, no stock option period may extend beyond ten years from the date of grant; (b) the option price per share for incentive stock options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares except that the option price per share for a key employee may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the time the incentive stock option is granted;
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and (c) incentive stock options may only be issued to the extent the aggregate fair market value of shares with respect to the exercise of the incentive stock options for the first time by an option holder during any calendar year is $100,000 or less, with any additional stock options being treated as nonqualified stock options.
In September 2007, a total of 2.4 million non-qualified stock options were issued under the equity incentive plan to certain employees of the Company. All options issued vest over a period of four years based on both time and performance-based criteria and all options are exercisable at a strike price of $24.63 per share option.
Board Practices
General
Our Board of Directors currently consists of nine directors, eight of whom are non executive directors and are independent under the independence definition in The Netherlands Corporate Governance Code. As a foreign private issuer, as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are not required to have a majority independent board of directors under applicable New York Stock Exchange rules.
We apply the Netherlands Corporate Governance Code independence criteria. According to these criteria, to be considered "independent", a director (and his or her spouse and immediate relatives) may not, among other things, (i) in the five years prior to his or her appointment, have been an employee or executive director of us or any Dutch public company affiliated with us, (ii) in the year prior to his or her appointment, have had an important business relationship with us or any Netherlands public company affiliated with us, (iii) receive any financial compensation from us other than for the performance of his or her duties as a director or other than in the ordinary course of business, (iv) hold 10% or more of our ordinary shares (including ordinary shares subject to any shareholder's agreement), (v) be a member of the management or supervisory board of a company owning 10% or more of our ordinary shares, and (vi) in the year prior to his or her appointment, has temporarily managed our day-to-day affairs while the executive director was unable to discharge his or her duties.
The directors are appointed at the general meeting of the shareholders. Our directors may be elected by the vote of a majority of votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders provided that our Board of Directors has proposed the election. Without a Board of Directors proposal, directors may also be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders if the majority represents at least one-third of our issued capital.
Shareholders may remove or suspend a director by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders provided that our Board of Directors has proposed the removal. Our shareholders may also remove or suspend a director, without there being a proposal by the Board of Directors, by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders if the majority represents at least one-third of our issued capital.
Under our Articles of Association, the rules for the Board of Directors and the board committees and Netherlands corporate law, the members of the Board of Directors are collectively responsible for the management, general and financial affairs and policy and strategy of our company.
The executive director is our Chief Executive Officer, who is primarily responsible for managing our day-to-day affairs as well as other responsibilities that have been delegated to the executive director in accordance with our Articles of Association and our internal rules for the Board of Directors. The non-executive directors supervise the Chief Executive Officer and our general affairs and provide general advice to our Chief Executive Officer. In performing their duties, the non-executive directors are guided by the interests of the company and shall, within the boundaries set by relevant Netherlands law, take into account the relevant interests of our shareholders. The internal affairs of the Board of Directors are governed by our rules for the Board of Directors.
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The Chairman of the Board is obligated to ensure, among other things, that (i) each director receives all information about matters that he or she may deem useful or necessary in connection with the proper performance of his or her duties, (ii) each director has sufficient time for consultation and decision making, and (iii) the Board of Directors and the board committees are properly constituted and functioning.
Each director has the right to cast one vote and may be represented at a meeting of the Board of Directors by a fellow director. The Board of Directors may pass resolutions only if a quorum of four directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman or Vice Chairman is present at the meeting. All resolutions must be passed by an absolute majority of the votes cast. If there is a tie, the matter will be decided by the Chairman of our Board of Directors or in his or her absence, the Vice Chairman.
Subject to Netherlands law, resolutions may be passed in writing by a majority of the directors in office. Pursuant to the internal rules for our Board of Directors, a director may not participate in discussions or the decision making process on a transaction or subject in relation to which he or she has a conflict of interest with us. Resolutions to enter into such transactions must be approved by a majority of our Board of Directors, excluding such interested director or directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has established a Group Executive Committee, a Group Portfolio and Investment Committee, a Group Treasury and Accounting Committee, an Audit Committee and a Nomination and Compensation Committee.
Our Group Executive Committee is responsible for our operational management. It is chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and is comprised of ten current members of our senior management. The current members of our Group Executive Committee are Klaus Heinemann, Heinrich Loechteken, Keith Helming, Aengus Kelly, Patrick den Elzen, Erwin den Dikken, Reynoud Simonis, Cole Reese, Soeren Ferré and Anil Mehta.
Our Group Portfolio and Investment Committee has authority to enter into and is responsible for transactions relating to the acquisition and disposal of aircraft, engines and financial assets that are in excess of $100 million but less than $500 million. It is chaired by our Chief Investment Officer and is comprised of members of the Group Executive Committee and non-executive directors or any other person appointed by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. The current members of our Group Portfolio and Investment Committee are Keith Helming, Soeren Ferré, Heinrich Loechteken, Klaus Heinemann, Robert Warden, Patrick den Elzen, Aengus Kelly, Nicolas Finazzo and James Chapman.
Our Group Treasury and Accounting Committee has authority and is responsible for committing debt funding in excess of $100 million but not exceeding $500 million per transaction. It is chaired by our Chief Financial Officer and is comprised of certain members of the Group Executive Committee and certain non-executive directors or any other person appointed by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. The current members of our Group Treasury and Accounting Committee are Keith Helming, Cole Reese, David Teitelbaum, Klaus Heinemann, Aengus Kelly, Paul Rofe, Tom Kelly, Marius Jonkhart and Robert Warden.
Our Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to the integrity of our financial statements, our risk management and internal control arrangements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the performance, qualifications and independence of external auditors, and the performance of the internal audit function. The Audit Committee is chaired by a person with the necessary qualifications who is appointed by the Board of Directors and is comprised of three non-executive directors who are "independent" as defined by Rule 10A-3 of the
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as under The Netherlands Corporate Governance Code. The current members of our Audit Committee are Marius Jonkhart, James Chapman and Ronald Bolger.
Our Nomination and Compensation Committee selects, recruits and determines the remuneration, bonuses and other terms of employment of candidates for the positions of the Chief Executive Officer, non-executive director and Chairman of the Board of Directors, approves the remuneration, bonuses and other terms of employment and recommends candidates for positions in the Group Portfolio and Investment Committee, the Group Treasury and Accounting Committee, the Group Executive Committee and recommends candidates for the Audit Committee and plans the succession within the Board of Directors and committees. It is chaired by the Chairman of our Board of Directors and is comprised of two non-executive directors appointed by the Board of Directors. The current members of our Nomination and Compensation Committee are Brett Ingersoll, Marius Jonkhart and Pieter Korteweg.
Nomination and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our Nomination and Compensation Committee members or our executive officers have a relationship that would constitute an interlocking relationship with executive officers or directors of another entity or insider participation in compensation decisions.
Employees
The table below provides the number of our employees at each of our principal geographical locations as of the dates indicated.
Location |
December 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2006 |
December 31, 2007 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amsterdam, The Netherlands | 71 | 71 | 88 | |||
Shannon, Ireland | 27 | 37 | 42 | |||
Fort Lauderdale, FL | 11 | 13 | 16 | |||
Miami, FL(1) | 124 | 163 | 172 | |||
Goodyear, AZ(1) | | 67 | 75 | |||
Other | | | 9 | |||
Total | 233 | 351 | 402 | |||
None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we believe that we maintain excellent employee relations. Although by law we are required to have a works council for our operations in The Netherlands, our employees have not elected to date to organize a works council. A works council is an employee organization that is granted statutory rights to be involved in certain of the company's decision making processes. The exercise of such rights, however, must not only promote the interests of employees, but also take into account the interests of the company and its shareholders.
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Share ownership.
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of our shares which are held by members of our senior management team and our non-executive directors:
|
Bermuda Parents Shares/Options(1) |
AerCap Holdings N.V. Options |
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ordinary shares beneficially owned |
Ordinary shares underlying vested, but unexercised options(2)(3) |
Ordinary shares underlying unvested options (2)(3)(4) |
Ordinary shares underlying unvested options(5) |
Fully Diluted Ownership Percentage (6) |
||||||
Directors: | |||||||||||
Ronald J. Bolger | | 27,734 | | | * | ||||||
James N. Chapman | | 55,300 | | | * | ||||||
Pieter Korteweg | | 55,469 | | | * | ||||||
W. Brett Ingersoll(7) | | | | | | ||||||
Klaus W. Heinemann(8) | 1,409,926 | | | 1.2 | % | ||||||
Marius J. L. Jonkhart | | 27,734 | | | * | ||||||
Gerald P. Strong(7) | | | | | | ||||||
David J. Teitelbaum(7) | | | | | | ||||||
Robert G. Warden(7) | | | | | | ||||||
Executive Officers: | |||||||||||
Wouter M. (Erwin) den Dikken | 148,565 | 48,804 | 32,538 | 250,000 | * | ||||||
Patrick den Elzen | 144,581 | | | | * | ||||||
Soeren E. Ferré | 167,366 | | | 250,000 | * | ||||||
Nicolas Finazzo | 1,127,720 | | | | 1.3 | % | |||||
Keith A. Helming | | 341,337 | 295,572 | 500,000 | * | ||||||
Aengus Kelly | 252,791 | 97,612 | 65,072 | 500,000 | * | ||||||
Heinrich H. Loechteken | 1,197,458 | | | | 1.4 | % | |||||
Anil Mehta | 78,839 | | | | * | ||||||
Robert B. Nichols | 1,127,720 | | | | 1.3 | % | |||||
Cole T. Reese | 209,227 | | | 250,000 | * | ||||||
Reynoud K. Simonis | | 109,672 | | | * | ||||||
All our directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons) | 4,454,267 | 2,173,588 | 393,182 | 1,250,000 | 7.8 | % |
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All of our ordinary shares have the same voting rights.
The address for all our officers and directors is c/o AerCap Holdings N.V., Evert van de Beekstraat 312, 1118 CX Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
The table below indicates the beneficial holders of 5% or more of our common outstanding shares as of March 10, 2008, based on available public filings:
|
Ordinary shares beneficially owned |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Number |
Percent |
|||
5% or Greater Beneficial Share Owner: | |||||
Stephen Feinberg(1)(2) | 31,738,372 | 37.3 | % | ||
Wellington Management Company, LLP | 11,646,180 | 13.7 | % | ||
Bank of America Corporation | 5,177,054 | 6.1 | % |
As of December 31, 2007, none of our ordinary shares were held by record holders in the Netherlands. All of our ordinary shares have the same voting rights.
Related Party Transactions
The following is a summary of material provisions of various transactions we have entered into with related parties since January 1, 2005.
Related Party Transactions with Current Affiliates
AerDragon consists of two joint venture companies Dragon Aviation Leasing Company Limited, or Dragon, based in China and AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited or AerDragon, based in Ireland. Both companies are owned 50% by China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation, 25% by affiliates of Calyon and 25% by AerCap. In 2007, AerCap assigned a purchase right it had with Airbus under AerCap's 1999 forward order agreement relating to an A320 aircraft which was then directly acquired by AerDragon. In addition, during 2007 AerCap sold an A320 aircraft that was subject to a lease with an airline to AerDragon and guaranteed the performance of AerDragon under debt which was assumed by AerDragon from AerCap in the transaction. Both of these transactions were executed at terms, which we believe reflected market conditions at the time. AerCap provides lease management, insurance management and aircraft asset management services to AerDragon. AerCap charged AerDragon a total of $0.2 million as a guarantee fee and for these management services during 2007. We apply equity accounting for our 25% investment in both joint venture companies. Accordingly, the income statement effects of all transactions with either of the joint venture companies are eliminated in our financial statements.
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AerCo is an aircraft securitization vehicle from which we hold all of the most junior class of subordinated notes and some notes immediately senior to those junior notes. We do not recognize value for the AerCo notes which we still hold on our consolidated balance sheets. Through March 2003 we consolidated AerCo, but we deconsolidated the vehicle in accordance with FIN 46 at that time. Subsequent to the deconsolidation of AerCo, we have received interest from AerCo on its D note investment of $1.7 million, $0.8 million, $1.7 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, the period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the year ended December 31, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2007, respectively. In addition, we provide a variety of management services to AerCo for which we received fees of $2.4 million, $2.4 million, $5.2 million and $4.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005, the period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the year ended December 31, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2007, respectively.
We have made payments to Cerberus and third parties on behalf of Cerberus totaling approximately $1.2 million since the 2005 Acquisition. The payments to Cerberus represent reimbursement of consulting fees paid by Cerberus to individuals who have assisted us in the evaluation of portfolio or company purchases, including our AeroTurbine Acquisition. In addition, this amount also includes approximately $0.2 million of reimbursements for consulting services incurred by Cerberus in connection with Cerberus's evaluation of the 2005 Acquisition. If we accept services from individuals employed by or contracted through Cerberus in the future, we will establish consulting agreements directly with such individuals instead of working with them through Cerberus. We expect these arrangements to reflect arms' length negotiations that will not be more favorable than the terms we could negotiate with an independent party. Payments to third parties on behalf of Cerberus consist of payments to advisors engaged by Cerberus in connection with the 2005 Acquisition.
We lease two A320-200 model aircraft to Air Canada. Both leases expire in 2014. Cerberus indirectly controls 6.7% of the equity of Air Canada and 45.8% of the equity interest in AerCap Holdings N.V.
In February 2006, we entered into a guarantee arrangement with DvB Bank AG and Aozora Bank Limited, an entity that is majority-owned by Cerberus. In addition, Pieter Korteweg, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Marius Jacques Leonard Jonkhart, a non-executive director, are also on the board of directors of Aozora Bank. The guarantee supports certain of our obligations to a Japanese operating lessor of up to $13.8 million in connection with a JOL financing. The Japanese operating lessor required the guarantee as additional credit support following the 2005 Acquisition. We leased the A320 aircraft from the Japanese operating lessor under a lease and then subleased the aircraft to an aircraft operator. In the event we fail to make certain payments related to JOL financing, DvB Bank will make the payment on our behalf but will be reimbursed by Aozora Bank for any payments made. We have agreed to indemnify Aozora Bank for any payments it makes under the guarantee arrangement. The guarantee expires in March 2010. Under the terms of the guarantee arrangement, we are required to provide cash collateral to Aozora Bank if we breach certain financial covenants. Currently we are not in breach of any of these covenants and have not provided any cash collateral. In connection with the guarantee arrangement, we pay Aozora Bank a guarantee fee of 4.1% per annum of the amount guaranteed and have provided Aozora Bank with a second priority share pledge over the shares of the entity that entered into the financing from the Japanese operating lessor.
In April 2006, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion with UBS Real Estate Securities Inc., UBS Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and certain other financial institutions. Aozora Bank is a syndicate member under the facility and participated in up to $50.0 million of the Class A loans and up to $25.0 million of the Class B loans issued thereunder, representing 7.0% of the Class A loans and 13.9% of the Class B loans. As of December 31, 2007, we had drawn and there remained outstanding $48.8 million of the class A loans and $12.3 million of the class B loans.
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Until November 2007, our AeroTurbine subsidiary leased their office and warehouse located in Miami, Florida from an entity owned by the current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of AeroTurbine. In November 2007, the entity sold the office and warehouse to an unrelated third-party. AeroTurbine continues to occupy the premises under a lease which expires in 2013.
In 2004, we entered into leases for six A320 aircraft with WizzAir Hungary Limited. As part of a subsequent restructuring of amounts outstanding, WizzAir agreed to issue us shares of their equity representing 17.4% of their equity as of November 2004. In 2005, we agreed with WizzAir's other shareholders and creditors to enter into a Shareholders' and Noteholders' Agreement under which we agreed to convert trade receivables into an unsecured, non-amortizing € 7.8 million note, convertible into approximately 26% of WizzAir's outstanding shares on a fully diluted basis as of February 2005). Under the terms of the Shareholders' and Noteholders' Agreement we were able to appoint a director of WizzAir between February 2005 and June 2005. The convertible notes were carried on our balance sheet at December 31, 2005 at $1.8 million. We sold all of our WizzAir convertible notes in September 2006.
Related Party Transactions with Affiliates of our Prior Shareholders
Until the 2005 Acquisition, the Previous Shareholder Lenders had provided us with subordinated loans for a total of $350.6 million as at December 31, 2004. The interest rates on these loans were variable and are calculated on the basis of six-month LIBOR. Interest of $10.9 million and $7.4 million was included in interest on indebtedness for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. These loans were acquired at the 2005 Acquisition by AerCap Holdings C.V. and are eliminated in consolidation in these consolidated accounts.
The Previous Shareholder Lenders also participated in our senior credit agreements prior to the 2005 Acquisition. A total of $1,516.6 million was outstanding under these credit agreements at December 31, 2004. The interest rate on the credit facility is variable and is calculated on the basis of LIBOR. Interest on the senior debt of $61.6 million and $34.8 million is included in interest on debt for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively.
Wings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DASA, who is wholly-owned by one of our Previous Shareholder Lenders. We provide aircraft lease management and remarketing services to Wings for which we received fees of $1.6 million and $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2005, after which Wings is no longer a related party due to the sale of our shares by our Previous Shareholder Lenders.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.
Please refer to Item 18. Financial Statements and to pages F-1 through F-57 of this annual report.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing.
Offer and listing details.
Not applicable.
Markets.
The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AER".
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Trading on the New York Stock Exchange
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per ordinary share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape.
|
Price Per AerCap Holdings N.V. Ordinary Share(1) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
High |
Low |
|||
|
($) |
($) |
|||
Annual highs and lows | |||||
2007 | 32.82 | 18.54 | |||
Quarterly highs and lows | |||||
Quarter 1 2007 | 29.85 | 22.75 | |||
Quarter 2 2007 | 32.80 | 28.49 | |||
Quarter 3 2007 | 32.82 | 20.00 | |||
Quarter 4 2007 | 28.70 | 18.54 | |||
Monthly highs and lows |
|||||
January |
28.00 |
22.75 |
|||
February | 28.02 | 25.25 | |||
March | 29.85 | 25.85 | |||
April | 31.15 | 28.55 | |||
May | 32.39 | 28.49 | |||
June | 32.80 | 29.74 | |||
July | 32.82 | 25.11 | |||
August | 25.99 | 20.00 | |||
September | 26.96 | 23.50 | |||
October | 28.70 | 24.89 | |||
November | 25.32 | 19.64 | |||
December | 23.00 | 18.54 | |||
2008 |
|||||
January |
18.45 |
14.22 |
|||
February | 20.24 | 16.81 | |||
March (through March 18, 2008) | 20.47 | 16.57 |
On March 18, 2008, the closing sales price for our ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape was $18.33.
Item 10. Additional Information.
Memorandum and articles of association.
Set out below is a summary description of our ordinary shares and related material provisions of our articles of association and of Book 2 of The Netherlands Civil Code (Boek 2 van het Burgerlijk Wetboek), which governs the rights of holders of our ordinary shares.
Ordinary Share Capital
As of December 31, 2007, we had 200,000,000 authorized ordinary shares, par value €0.01 per share, of which 85,036,957 were issued and outstanding.
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Pursuant to our articles of association, our ordinary shares may only be held in registered form. All of our ordinary shares are registered in a register kept by us or on our behalf by our transfer agent. Transfer of registered shares requires a written deed of transfer and the acknowledgment by the Company. Our ordinary shares are freely transferable.
Issuance of Ordinary Shares
A general meeting of shareholders can approve the issuance of ordinary shares or rights to subscribe for ordinary shares, but only in response to a proposal for such issuance submitted by the Board of Directors specifying the price and further terms and conditions. In the alternative, the shareholders may designate to our Board of Directors' authority to approve the issuance and price of issue of ordinary shares. The delegation may be for any period of up to five years and must specify the maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued.
Prior to our initial public offering in November 2006, pursuant to our articles of association, our shareholders delegated to our Board of Directors for a period of five years, the power to issue and/or grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares up to the maximum amount of our authorized share capital which, as of the date of this annual report was 200.0 million ordinary shares.
Preemptive Rights
Unless limited or excluded by our shareholders or Board of Directors as described below, holders of ordinary shares have a pro rata preemptive right to subscribe for any ordinary shares that we issue, except for ordinary shares issued for non-cash consideration or ordinary shares issued to our employees.
Shareholders may limit or exclude preemptive rights. Shareholders may also delegate the power to limit or exclude preemptive rights to our Board of Directors with respect to ordinary shares, the issuance of which has been authorized by our shareholders. Prior to our initial public offering in November 2006, pursuant to our articles of association, the power to limit or exclude preemptive rights has been delegated to our Board of Directors for a period of five years.
Repurchase of Our Ordinary Shares
We may acquire our ordinary shares, subject to certain provisions of the laws of The Netherlands and of our articles of association, if the following conditions are met:
Capital Reduction; Cancellation
Shareholders may reduce our issued share capital either by cancelling ordinary shares held in treasury or by amending our articles of association to reduce the par value of the ordinary shares. A resolution to reduce our capital requires the approval of at least an absolute majority of the votes cast and, if less than one half of the share capital is represented at a meeting at which a vote is taken, the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes cast.
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A partial repayment of ordinary shares under the laws of The Netherlands is only allowed upon the adoption of a resolution to reduce the par value of the ordinary shares. The repayment must be made pro rata on all ordinary shares. The pro rata requirement may be waived with the consent of all affected shareholders. In some circumstances, our creditors may be able to prevent a resolution to reduce our share capital from taking effect.
Risk Management and Control Framework
Our management is responsible for designing, implementing and operating an adequate functioning internal risk management and control framework. The purpose of this framework is to identify and manage the strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks to which we are exposed, to promote effectiveness and efficiency of our operations, to promote reliable financial reporting and to promote compliance with laws and regulations. Our internal risk management and control framework is based on the COSO framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992). The COSO framework aims to provide reasonable assurance regarding effectiveness and efficiency of an entity's operations, reliability of financial reporting, prevention of fraud and compliance with laws and regulations.
Our internal risk management and control framework has the following key components:
Planning and control cycle
The planning and control cycle consists of an annual budget and business plan prepared by management and approved by our Board of Directors, quarterly forecasts and operational reviews and monthly financial reporting.
Code of Conduct and Whistleblower Policy
Our Code of Conduct is applicable to all our employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and controllers. It is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct and timely and accurate disclosure in our periodic financial results. Our Whistleblower Policy provides for the reporting of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct and alleged irregularities of a financial nature by our employees or other stakeholders without any fear of reprisal against the individual that reports the violation or irregularity.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Disclosure Committee assists management in overseeing our disclosure activities and to ensure compliance with applicable disclosure requirements arising under U.S. and Netherlands law and regulatory requirements. The Disclosure Committee obtains information for its recommendations from the operational and financial reviews, letters of representation which include a risk and internal control self assessment, input from the documentation and assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and input from risk management activities during the year. The Disclosure Committee comprises various members of senior management.
Risk Management and Internal Controls
We have developed a system of policies and procedures for all areas of our operations, both financial and non-financial, that constitutes a broad system of internal control. This system of internal control has been developed through a risk-based approach and enhanced with a view to achieving and maintaining full compliance with the requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act ("SOX"). Our system of internal control is embedded in our standard business practices and is validated through audits performed by our internal auditors and through management testing of SOX controls, which is performed with the assistance of external advisors. In addition, senior management personnel and
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finance managers of our main operating subsidiaries annually sign a detailed letter of representation with regard to financial reporting, internal controls and ethical principles. All of our employees working in finance or accounting functions are subject to a separate Finance Code of Ethics.
Controls and Procedures Statement Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
As of December 31, 2007, our management (with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) conducted an evaluation pursuant to section 302 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2007, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the US Securities Exchange Act on 1934, as amended is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our Auditors
Our external auditor is responsible for auditing the financial statements and auditing internal control over financial reporting. Following the recommendation by the Audit Committee and upon proposal by the Board of Directors, the General Meeting of Shareholders appoints each year the auditor to audit the financial statements of the current financial year. The external auditor reports to our Audit Committee. The external auditor is present at the meetings of the Audit Committee when our quarterly and annual results are discussed.
At the request of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, the Chief Financial Officer and the Internal Audit department review, in advance, each service to be provided by the auditor to identify any possible breaches of the auditor's independence. The Audit Committee pre-approves every engagement of our external auditor.
Remuneration of Our Board of Directors
The general policy for the remuneration of our Board of Directors will be determined by a general shareholders meeting. The remuneration of directors will be set by our Board of Directors in accordance with our remuneration policy and the recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee. With regard to arrangements concerning remuneration in the form of ordinary shares or share options, the Board of Directors must submit a proposal to the shareholders for approval. This proposal must, at a minimum, state the number of ordinary shares or share options that may be granted to directors and the criteria that apply to the granting of the ordinary shares or share options or the alteration of such arrangements.
General Meetings of Shareholders
At least one general meeting of shareholders must be held every year. The rights of shareholders may only be changed by amending our articles of association. A resolution to amend our articles of association is valid if the Board of Directors makes a proposal amending the articles of association and such proposal is adopted by a simple majority of votes cast.
The following resolutions require a two thirds majority vote if less than half of the issued share capital is present or represented at the general meeting of shareholders:
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If a proposal to amend the articles of association will be considered at the meeting, we will make available a copy of that proposal, in which the proposed amendments will be stated verbatim.
An agreement of the Company to enter into a (i) statutory merger whereby the Company is the acquiring entity, or (ii) a legal demerger, with certain limited exceptions, must be approved by the shareholders.
Voting Rights
Each ordinary share represents the right to cast one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. All resolutions must be passed with an absolute majority of the votes validly cast except as set forth above. We are not allowed to exercise voting rights for ordinary shares we hold directly or indirectly.
Any major change in the identity or character of the Company or its business must be approved by our shareholders, including:
Adoption of Annual Accounts and Discharge of Management Liability
Each year, our Board of Directors must prepare annual accounts within five months after the end of our financial year, unless the shareholders have approved an extension of this period for up to six additional months due to certain special circumstances recognized as such under the laws of The Netherlands. The annual accounts must be made available for inspection by shareholders at our offices within the same period. The annual accounts must be accompanied by an auditor's certificate, an annual report and certain other mandatory information. The shareholders shall appoint an accountant as referred to in Article 393 of Book 2 of The Netherlands Civil Code, to audit the annual accounts. The annual accounts are adopted by our shareholders.
The adoption of the annual accounts by our shareholders does not release the members of our Board of Directors from liability for acts reflected in those documents. Any such release from liability requires a separate shareholders' resolution.
Liquidation Rights
If we are dissolved or wound up, the assets remaining after payment of our liabilities will be first applied to pay back the amounts paid up on the ordinary shares. Any remaining assets will be distributed among our shareholders, in proportion to the par value of their shareholdings. All distributions referred to in this paragraph shall be made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the laws of The Netherlands.
Limitations on Non-Residents and Exchange Controls
There are no limits under the laws of The Netherlands or in our articles of association on non-residents of The Netherlands holding or voting our ordinary shares. Currently, there are no exchange controls under the laws of The Netherlands on the conduct of our operations or affecting the remittance of dividends.
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Disclosure of Insider Transactions
Members of our Board of Directors and other insiders within the meaning of Section 47a of The Netherlands Securities Act must report to The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets if they carry out or cause to be carried out, for their own account, a transaction in our ordinary shares or in securities whose value is at least in part determined by the value of our ordinary shares.
Netherlands Squeeze-out Proceedings
If a person or a company or two or more group companies within the meaning of Article 2:24b of The Netherlands Civil Code acting in concert holds in total 95% of a Netherlands public limited liability company's issued share capital by par value for their own account, the laws of The Netherlands permit that person or company or those group companies acting in concert to acquire the remaining ordinary shares in the company by initiating squeeze out proceedings against the holders of the remaining shares. The price to be paid for such shares will be determined by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.
Choice of Law and Exclusive Jurisdiction
Under our articles of association, to the extent allowed by law, the rights and obligations among or between us, any of our current or former directors, officers and employees and any current or former shareholder shall be governed exclusively by the laws of The Netherlands, unless such rights or obligations do not relate to or arise out of the capacities above. Any lawsuit or other legal proceeding by and between those persons relating to or arising out of their capacities listed above shall be exclusively submitted to the courts of The Netherlands. All of our current and former directors and officers must agree in connection with any such lawsuit or other legal proceeding to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of The Netherlands courts, waive objections to such lawsuit or other legal proceeding being brought in such courts, agree that a judgment in any such legal action brought in The Netherlands courts is binding upon them and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction, and elect domicile at our offices in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for the service of any document relating to such lawsuit of other legal proceedings.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
A register of holders of the ordinary shares will be maintained by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company in the United States who will also serve as the transfer agent. The telephone number of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is 1-800-937-5449.
Material contracts.
Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated December 30, 2005, between Airbus S.A.S. and AerVenture Limited. Pursuant to this agreement, AerVenture, our consolidated joint venture, placed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 70 new A320 family aircraft. As of December 31, 2007, 68 of the aircraft remained to be delivered under the agreement, consisting of 18 A319 aircraft and 50 A320 aircraft. The initial delivery schedule for the AerVenture aircraft includes 12 aircraft to be delivered before the end of 2008 and 58 aircraft to be delivered between 2008 and the end of 2011.
Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated December 11, 2006 as amended on May 11, 2007, between Airbus S.A.S. and AerCap Ireland Limited. Pursuant to this agreement, AerCap Ireland Limited placed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 30 new A330-200 aircraft. As of December 31, 2007, all 30 of the aircraft remained to be delivered under the agreement. The initial delivery schedule for the aircraft includes 10 aircraft to be delivered in 2009, 10 aircraft to be delivered in 2010, four aircraft to be delivered in 2011 and six aircraft to be delivered in 2012.
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Joint Venture Agreement, dated December 30, 2005 as amended on November 2, 2007 and December 12, 2007, among AerCap AerVenture Holding B.V. (as transferee of AerCap Ireland Limited), NLM AerVenture Holding B.V. (as transferee of International Cargo Airlines Company KSC) and AerVenture Limited. The joint venture agreement established our AerVenture joint venture. In January 2006, LoadAir (the owner of NLM AerVenture Holding B.V.), an investment and construction company based in Kuwait City, purchased a 50% equity interest in AerVenture.
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 16, 2006, among AerCap, Inc. and Nicolas Finazzo, Rose Ann Finazzo and Robert B. Nichols. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, in April 26, 2006, we acquired all of the existing share capital of AeroTurbine. The purchase price for the AeroTurbine shares was $144.7 million.
Sale and Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of all shares in and certain loans and facilities granted to Debis AirFinance B.V. by and between DaimlerChrysler Services AG, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, HVB Banque Luxembourg SA, Bayerische Landesbank, BLB Beteiligungsgesellschaft Beta mbH, Dresdner Bank AG, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, DZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH Nr. 6, KfW and FERN S.a r.l. as amended by the Amendment Agreement dated June 29, 2005 by and between the DaimlerChrysler Services AG, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, HVB Banque Luxembourg SA, Bayerische Landesbank, BLB Beteiligungsgesellschaft Beta mbH, Dresdner Bank AG, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, DZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH Nr. 6, KfW, FERN S.a r.l., FERN GP S.a r.l. and AerCap Holdings C.V. Pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement, on June 30, 2005, AerCap Holdings C.V. acquired all of AerCap B.V.'s (formerly known as debis AirFinance B.V.) shares and $1.8 billion of liabilities owed by AerCap B.V. to its prior shareholders. AerCap Holdings C.V. paid total consideration of $1.37 billion for AerCap B.V..
In addition, we have entered into several credit facilities and other financing arrangements to fund our acquisition of our aircraft. See "Item 5Indebtedness" for more information regarding the credit facilities and financing arrangements.
Exchange Controls
Not applicable.
Taxation.
Netherlands Tax Considerations
The following is a summary of Netherlands tax consequences of the holding and disposal of ordinary shares. This summary does not purport to describe all possible tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder or prospective holder of ordinary shares. Holders should consult with their tax advisors with regards to the tax consequences of investing in the ordinary shares in their particular circumstances. The discussion below is included for general information purposes only.
Please note that this summary does not describe the tax considerations for holders of ordinary shares if such holders, and in the case of individuals, his/her partner or certain of their relatives by blood or marriage in the direct line (including foster children), have a substantial interest or deemed substantial interest in us as defined in The Netherlands Income Tax Act 2001. Generally speaking, a holder of securities in a company is considered to hold a substantial interest in such company, if such holder alone or, in the case of individuals, together with his/her partner (statutorily defined term), directly or indirectly, holds (i) an interest of 5% or more of the total issued and outstanding capital of that company or of 5% or more of the issued and outstanding capital of a certain class of shares of
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that company; or (ii) holds rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, such interest; or (iii) holds certain profit sharing rights in that company that relate to 5% or more of the company's annual profits and/or to 5% or more of the company's liquidation proceeds. A deemed substantial interest arises if a substantial interest (or part thereof) in a company has been disposed of, or is deemed to have been disposed of, on a non-recognition basis. Furthermore, this summary does not describe the tax considerations for holders of ordinary shares if the holder has an interest in us that qualifies as a "participation" for the purposes of The Netherlands Corporate Income Tax Act 1969. A participation generally exists in case of a shareholding of at least 5% of the company's paid-up share capital.
Except as otherwise indicated, this summary only addresses Netherlands national tax legislation and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof and as interpreted in published case law on the date hereof and is subject to change after such date, including changes that could have retroactive effect.
Withholding Tax
Dividends distributed by us generally are subject to Netherlands dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%. The withholding mechanism requires us to deduct from the dividend an amount of withholding tax to be paid to The Netherlands tax authorities. The withholding tax is therefore effectively carried by the recipient of a dividend and not by us. The expression "dividends distributed" includes, among others:
If a holder of ordinary shares is resident in a country other than The Netherlands and if a double taxation convention is in effect between The Netherlands and such other country, such holder of ordinary shares may, depending on the terms of that double taxation convention, be eligible for a full or partial exemption from, or refund of, Netherlands dividend withholding tax.
A recipient of a dividend of the shares that is a qualifying company and that satisfies the conditions of the Convention between The Netherlands and the United States for the avoidance of double taxation of December 18, 1992 (the "Convention"), may be entitled to a reduced rate of dividend withholding tax (a "U.S. Holder"). These conditions include but are not limited to being a resident of the U.S. for the purposes of the Convention, being the beneficial owner of such dividend and qualifying under article 26 of the Convention (the so-called "Limitation on Benefits" article).
To claim a reduced withholding tax rate under the Convention (both reduction and refund procedure), the U.S. Holder that is a company must file a request with The Netherlands tax authorities for which no specific form is available.
A recipient that is a qualifying tax-exempt pension, trust or a qualifying tax-exempt organization and that satisfies the conditions of the Convention, may be entitled to an exemption or a refund of
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paid dividend taxes. Qualifying tax exempt must file form IB 96 USA for the application of relief at source from or refund of dividend withholding tax. Qualifying tax-exempt pensions, trusts or U.S. organizations are not entitled under the Convention to claim benefits at source, and instead must file claims for refund by filing form IB 95 USA. Copies of the forms may be obtained from the "Belastingdienst/Limburg/kantoor buitenland, Postbus 2865, 6401 DJ Heerlen, The Netherlands, or may be downloaded from www.belastingdienst.nl.
Individuals and corporate legal entities who are resident or deemed to be resident in The Netherlands for Netherlands tax purposes ("Netherlands resident individuals" and "Netherlands resident entities", as the case may be), including individuals who have made an election for the application of the rules of The Netherlands Income Tax Act 2001 as they apply to residents of The Netherlands, can generally credit Netherlands dividend withholding tax against their income tax or corporate income tax liability. The same generally applies to holders of ordinary shares that are neither resident nor deemed to be resident of The Netherlands if the ordinary shares are attributable to a Netherlands permanent establishment of such non-resident holder.
In general, we will be required to remit all amounts withheld as Netherlands dividend withholding tax to The Netherlands tax authorities. However, under certain circumstances, we are allowed to reduce the amount to be remitted to The Netherlands tax authorities by the lesser of:
Although this reduction reduces the amount of Netherlands dividend withholding tax that we are required to pay to The Netherlands tax authorities, it does not reduce the amount of tax that the we are required to withhold from dividends.
Pursuant to legislation to counteract "dividend stripping", a reduction, exemption, credit or refund of Netherlands dividend withholding tax is denied if the recipient of the dividend is not the beneficial owner. This legislation generally targets situations in which shareholders retain their economic interest in shares but reduce the withholding tax cost on dividends by a transaction with another party. For application of these rules it is not a requirement that the recipient of the dividends is aware that a dividend stripping transaction took place. The Netherlands State Secretary of Finance takes the position that the definition of beneficial ownership introduced by this legislation will also be applied in the context of a double taxation convention.
Taxes on Income and Capital Gains
Non-residents of The Netherlands. A holder of ordinary shares will not be subject to Netherlands taxes on income or on capital gains in respect of any payment under the ordinary shares or any gain realized on the disposal or deemed disposal of the ordinary shares, provided that:
(i) such holder is neither a resident nor deemed to be resident in The Netherlands for Netherlands tax purposes and, if such holder is an individual, such holder has not made an election for the application of the rules of The Netherlands Income Tax Act 2001 as they apply to residents of The Netherlands;
(ii) such holder does not have an interest in an enterprise or a deemed enterprise which, in whole or in part, is either effectively managed in The Netherlands or is carried out through a permanent
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establishment, a deemed permanent establishment (statutorily defined term) or a permanent representative in The Netherlands and to which enterprise or part of an enterprise the ordinary shares are attributable; and
(iii) in the event such holder is an individual, such holder does not carry out any activities in The Netherlands with respect to the ordinary shares that exceed ordinary active asset management (in Dutch, "normaal vermogensbeheer") and does not derive benefits from the ordinary shares that are (otherwise) taxable as benefits from other activities in The Netherlands (in Dutch, "resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden").
Netherlands resident individuals. If a holder of ordinary shares is a Netherlands resident individual (including the non-resident individual holder who has made an election for the application of the rules of The Netherlands Income Tax Act 2001 as they apply to residents of The Netherlands), any benefit derived or deemed to be derived from the ordinary shares is taxable at the progressive income tax rates (with a maximum of 52%), if:
If the above-mentioned conditions (a) and (b) do not apply to an individual holder of ordinary shares, the ordinary shares are recognized as investment assets and included as such in such holder's net investment asset base (in Dutch, "rendementsgrondslag"). Such holder will be taxed annually on a deemed income of 4% of the aggregate amount of his or her net investment assets for the year at an income tax rate of 30%. The aggregate amount of the net investment assets for the year is the average of the fair market value of the investment assets less the allowable liabilities at the beginning of that year and the fair market value of the investment assets less the allowable liabilities at the end of that year. A tax free allowance may be available. Actual benefits derived from the ordinary shares are as such not subject to Netherlands income tax.
Netherlands resident entities. Any benefit derived or deemed to be derived from the ordinary shares held by Netherlands resident entities, including any capital gains realized on the disposal thereof, will generally be subject to Netherlands corporate income tax at a rate of 25.5% (a corporate income tax rate of 20% applies with respect to taxable profits up to €40,000 and 23% over the following €160,000, the first two brackets for 2008).
A Netherlands qualifying pension fund and a Netherlands qualifying tax exempt investment fund (in Dutch: "vrijgestelde beleggingsinstelling") are, in principle, not subject to Netherlands corporate income tax. A qualifying Netherlands resident investment fund (in Dutch, "fiscale beleggingsinstelling") is subject to Netherlands corporate income tax at a special rate of 0%.
Gift, Estate and Inheritance Taxes
Non-residents of The Netherlands. No Netherlands gift, estate or inheritance taxes will arise on the transfer of the ordinary shares by way of a gift by, or on the death of, a holder of ordinary shares who is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in The Netherlands, unless:
(i) such holder at the time of the gift has or at the time of his /her death had an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise that, in whole or in part, is or was either effectively managed in The Netherlands or carried out through a permanent establishment or a permanent representative in The Netherlands and to which enterprise or part of an enterprise the ordinary shares are or were attributable; or
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(ii) in the case of a gift of the ordinary shares by an individual who at the date of the gift was neither resident nor deemed to be resident in The Netherlands, such individual dies within 180 days after the date of the gift, while being resident or deemed to be resident in The Netherlands.
Residents of The Netherlands. Gift, estate and inheritance taxes will arise in The Netherlands with respect to a transfer of the ordinary shares by way of a gift by, or, on the death of, a holder of ordinary shares who is resident or deemed to be resident in The Netherlands at the time of the gift or his/her death.
For purposes of Netherlands gift, estate and inheritance taxes, amongst others, a person that holds The Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in The Netherlands if such person has been resident in The Netherlands at any time during the ten years preceding the date of the gift or the death of this person. Additionally, for purposes of Netherlands gift tax, a person not holding the Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in The Netherlands if such person has been resident in The Netherlands at any time during the 12 months preceding the date of the gift. Applicable tax treaties may override deemed residency.
Other Taxes and Duties
No Netherlands registration tax, customs duty, stamp duty or any other similar documentary tax or duty will be payable by a holder of ordinary shares in connection with holding the ordinary shares or the disposal of the ordinary shares.
U.S. Tax Considerations
Subject to the limitations and qualifications stated herein, this discussion sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares. The discussion of the holders' tax consequences addresses only those persons that hold those ordinary shares as capital assets and does not address the tax consequences to any special class of holder, including without limitation, holders of (directly, indirectly or constructively) 5% or more of the ordinary shares, dealers in securities or currencies, banks, tax-exempt organizations, life insurance companies, financial institutions, broker-dealers, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, traders in securities that elect the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons that hold securities that are a hedge or that are hedged against currency or interest rate risks or that are part of a straddle, conversion or "integrated" transaction, certain U.S. expatriates, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and U.S. Holders whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. This discussion does not address the effect of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax or any state, local or foreign tax laws on a holder of ordinary shares. The discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect and all subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect.
For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes an individual citizen or resident of the U.S.; a U.S. corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; a trust if the trust (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and one or more U.S. persons are able to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) has elected to be treated as a U.S. person; or an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source. A "non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is not a U.S. Holder.
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Cash Dividends and Other Distributions
A U.S. Holder of ordinary shares generally will be required to treat distributions received with respect to such ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld pursuant to Netherlands tax law) as dividend income to the extent of AerCap's current or accumulated earnings and profits (computed using U.S. federal income tax principles), with the excess treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares and, thereafter, as capital gain, subject to the passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") rules discussed below. Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that is a corporation are not eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. Current tax law provides for a maximum 15% U.S. tax rate on the dividend income of an individual U.S. Holder with respect to dividends paid by a domestic corporation or "qualified foreign corporation" if certain holding period requirements are met. A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation (other than a PFIC) if (i) its ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive U.S. income tax treaty. The ordinary shares are expected to be readily traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, assuming we are not treated as a PFIC, we should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on our ordinary shares and, therefore, dividends paid to an individual U.S. Holder with respect to ordinary shares for which the requisite holding period is satisfied should be taxed at a maximum federal tax rate of 15%. The maximum 15% federal tax rate is scheduled to expire for taxable years commencing after December 31, 2010.
Distributions to U.S. Holders of additional ordinary shares or preemptive rights with respect to ordinary shares that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, but in other circumstances may constitute a taxable dividend.
Distributions paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be included in a U.S. Holder's gross income in a U.S. dollar amount based on the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. The U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in such currency equal to such U.S. dollar amount, and any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or conversion of the foreign currency for a different U.S. dollar amount will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.
Subject to applicable limitations that may vary depending upon the circumstances, foreign taxes withheld from dividends on ordinary shares, to the extent the taxes do not exceed those taxes that would have been withheld had the holder been eligible for and actually claimed the benefits of any reduction in such taxes under applicable law or tax treaty, will be creditable against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and, therefore, prospective purchasers of ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisor regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances. Instead of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may, at his election, deduct such otherwise creditable foreign taxes in computing his taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law.
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to ordinary shares unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States.
Sale or Disposition of Ordinary Shares
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the taxable sale or exchange of the ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar amount realized on such sale or exchange (determined in the case of shares sold or exchanged for currencies other than U.S. dollars by
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reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of the sale or exchange or, if the ordinary shares sold or exchanged are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an electing accrual basis taxpayer, the spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares determined in U.S. dollars. The initial tax basis of the ordinary shares to a U.S. Holder will be the U.S. Holder's U.S. dollar purchase price for the shares (determined by reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of the purchase, or if the shares purchased are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an electing accrual basis taxpayer, the spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date). Assuming that the Company is not a PFIC and has not been treated as a PFIC during your holding period for our ordinary shares, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term gain or loss if the ordinary shares have been held for more than one year. With respect to sales occurring in taxable years commencing before January 1, 2011, the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate for an individual U.S. Holder is 15%. For sales beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2010, under current law the long-term capital gain rate for an individual U.S. Holder is 20%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Capital gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
A non-U.S. Holder of ordinary shares will not be subject to United States income or withholding tax on gain from the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States or (ii) the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Potential Application of Passive Foreign Investment Company Provisions
We do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for the current year. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is "passive income" or (2) at least 50% of the average value of its gross assets is attributable to assets that produce "passive income" or are held for the production of "passive income". Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities, foreign currency and securities transactions. Certain exceptions are provided, however, for rental income derived in the active conduct of a business.
Our belief that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year is based on (i) our financial statements and (ii) our current plans, expectations and projections regarding the use of the net proceeds of the offering, the value and nature of our assets and the sources and nature of our income. However, the determination as to whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a complex determination that is based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances and that depends on the classification of various assets and income under the rules that apply in determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC. It is unclear how some of these rules apply to us. Further, this determination must be tested annually at the end of the taxable year and, while we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC, our circumstances may change or our business plan may result in our engaging in activities that could cause us to become a PFIC. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year.
If we are or become a PFIC in a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or the prior taxable year, the 15% dividend rate discussed above with respect to dividends paid to non-corporate holders would not apply. If we are a PFIC, subject to the discussion of the qualified electing fund election below, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares will be subject to additional tax and an interest charge on "excess distributions" received with respect to the ordinary shares or gains realized on the disposition of such
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ordinary shares. Such a U.S. Holder will have an excess distribution if distributions during any tax year exceed 125% of the average amount received during the three preceding tax years (or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder's holding period). A U.S. Holder may realize gain on an ordinary share not only through a sale or other disposition, but also by pledging the ordinary share as security for a loan or entering into certain constructive disposition transactions. To compute the tax on an excess distribution or any gain, (i) the excess distribution or gain is allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period, (ii) the amount allocated to the current tax year and amounts allocated to any year before the first year in which we are a PFIC is taxed as ordinary income in the current tax year, and (iii) the amount allocated to each previous tax year (other than the any year before the first year in which we are a PFIC) is taxed at the highest applicable marginal rate in effect for that year and an interest charge is imposed to recover the deemed benefit from the deferred payment of the tax. These rules effectively prevent a U.S. Holder from treating the gain realized on the disposition of an ordinary share as capital gain.
If we are a PFIC and our ordinary shares are "regularly traded" on a "qualified exchange," a U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election, which may mitigate the adverse tax consequences resulting from the Company's PFIC status. The ordinary shares will be treated as "regularly traded" in any calendar year during which more than a de minimis quantity of ordinary shares are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The New York Stock Exchange on which the ordinary shares are expected to be regularly traded is a qualified exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, for each year in which we are a PFIC the holder generally will include as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the end of the taxable year over their adjusted basis, and will be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, his basis in the ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, for which the mark-to-market election has been made, will generally be treated as ordinary income.
Alternatively, if we become a PFIC in any year, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares may wish to avoid the adverse tax consequences resulting from our PFIC status by making a qualified electing fund ("QEF") election with respect to our ordinary shares in such year. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election, the holder will be required to include in gross income each year (i) as ordinary income, its pro rata share of our earnings and profits in excess of net capital gains and (ii) as long-term capital gains, its pro rata share of our net long-term capital gains, in each case, whether or not cash distributions are actually made. The amounts recognized by a U.S. Holder making a QEF election generally are treated as income from sources outside the U.S. If, however, U.S. Holders hold at least half of the ordinary shares, a percentage of our income equal to the proportion of our income that we receive from U.S. sources will be U.S. source income for the U.S. Holders of ordinary shares. Because a U.S. Holder of shares in a PFIC that makes a QEF election is taxed currently on its pro rata share of our income, the amounts recognized will not be subject to tax when they are distributed to the U.S. Holder. An electing U.S. Holder's basis in the ordinary shares will be increased by any amounts included in income currently as described above and decreased by any amounts not subjected to tax at the time of distribution. If we are or become a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would make a QEF election in respect of its ordinary shares by attaching a properly completed IRS Form 8621 in respect of such shares to the holder's timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. For any taxable year that we determine that we are a PFIC, we will (i) provide notice of our status as a PFIC as soon as practicable following such taxable year and (ii) comply with all reporting requirements necessary for U.S. Holders to make QEF elections, including providing to shareholders upon request the information necessary for such an election.
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Although a U.S. Holder normally is not permitted to make a retroactive QEF election, a retroactive election (a "retroactive QEF election") may be made for a taxable year of the U.S. Holder (the "retroactive election year") if the U.S. Holder (i) reasonably believed that, as of the date the QEF election was due, the foreign corporation was not a PFIC for its taxable year that ended during the retroactive election year and (ii) to the extent provided for in applicable Treasury Regulations, filed a protective statement with respect to the foreign corporation, applicable to the retroactive election year, in which the U.S. Holder described the basis for its reasonable belief and extended the period of limitation on the assessment of taxes for all taxable years of the shareholder to which the protective statement applies. If required to be filed to preserve the U.S. Holder's ability to make a retroactive QEF election, the protective statement must be filed by the due date of the investor's return (including extensions) for the first taxable year to which the statement is to apply. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisor regarding the advisability of filing a protective statement.
As discussed above, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares that makes a QEF election (including a proper retroactive QEF election) will be required to include in income currently its pro rata share of our earnings and profits whether or not we actually distribute earnings. The use of earnings to fund reserves or pay down debt or to fund other investments could result in a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares recognizing income in excess of amounts it actually receives. In addition, our income from an investment for U.S federal income tax purposes may exceed the amount we actually receive. If we are a PFIC and a U.S. Holder makes a valid QEF election in respect of their ordinary shares, such holder may be able to elect to defer payment, subject to an interest charge for the deferral period, of the tax on income recognized on account of the QEF election. Prospective purchasers of ordinary shares should consult their tax advisors about the advisability of making a QEF election, protective QEF election and deferred payment election.
Miscellaneous itemized deductions of an individual U.S. person can only be deducted to the extent that all of such person's miscellaneous itemized deductions exceed 2% of their adjusted gross income. In addition, an individual's miscellaneous itemized deductions are not deductible for purposes of computing the alternative minimum tax. Certain expenses of the Company might be a miscellaneous itemized deduction if incurred by an individual. A U.S. person that owns an interest in a "pass-through entity" is treated as recognizing income in an amount corresponding to its share of any item of expense that would be a miscellaneous itemized deduction and as separately deducting that item subject to the limitations described above. If it is determined that we are a PFIC, the IRS could take the position that we are a "pass-through entity" with respect to a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares that makes a QEF election.
Special rules apply to determine the foreign tax credit with respect to withholding taxes imposed on distributions on shares in a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, such Holder must file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.
We urge prospective purchasers of ordinary shares to consult their tax advisers concerning the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC, including the availability and consequences of making the mark-to-market election and QEF election discussed above.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service generally will be required with respect to payments on the ordinary shares and proceeds of the sale of the ordinary shares paid to holders that are U.S. taxpayers, other than corporations and other exempt recipients. A 28% "backup" withholding tax may apply to those payments if such a holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and to certify that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Holders that are not subject to U.S. taxation may be required to comply with applicable certification procedures to establish that they are not U.S. taxpayers in order to avoid the application of such
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information reporting requirements and backup withholding. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
THE ABOVE DISCUSSION IS A GENERAL SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE TO A PARTICULAR INVESTOR. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE ORDINARY SHARES.
Dividends.
Dividends may in principle only be paid out of profit as shown in the adopted annual accounts. We will only have power to make distributions to shareholders and other persons entitled to distributable profits to the extent our equity exceeds the sum of the paid and called up portion of the ordinary share capital and the reserves that must be maintained in accordance with provisions of the laws of The Netherlands or our articles of association. The profits must first be used to set up and maintain reserves required by law and must then be set off against certain financial losses. We may not make any distribution of profits on ordinary shares that we hold. Our Board of Directors determines whether and how much of the remaining profit they will reserve, the manner and date of such distribution and notifies shareholders.
All calculations to determine the amounts available for dividends will be based on our annual Netherlands GAAP statutory accounts, which may be different from our consolidated financial statements under US GAAP, such as those included in this form 20-F. Our statutory accounts have to date been prepared, and will continue to be prepared, under Netherlands GAAP and are deposited with the Commercial Register in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Our net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2007 and our equity as of December 31, 2007 as set forth in our annual statutory accounts were $228.4 million and $988.1million, respectively. We are dependent on dividends or other advances from our operating subsidiaries to fund any dividends we may pay on our ordinary shares.
Documents on display.
You may read and copy the reports and other information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's regional offices at 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60604, and 3 World Financial Center, Room 4300, New York, New York 10281. You may also obtain copies of these materials by mail from the Public Reference Room of the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Commission's Public Reference Room by calling the Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also access our annual reports and some of the other information we file with or submit to the Commission electronically through the Commission's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, you may inspect material we file at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk associated with short and long-term borrowings bearing variable interest rates and lease payments under leases tied to floating interest rates. To manage this interest rate exposure, we enter into interest rate swap and cap agreements. We are also exposed to foreign currency risk, which can adversely affect our operating profits. To manage this risk, we enter into forward exchange contracts.
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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Notes 1, 2 and 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in this annual report, which provide further information on our derivative instruments contained in this annual report.
Interest Rate Risk
The rentals we receive under our leases are based on fixed and variable interest rates. We fund our operations with a mixture of fixed and floating rate US dollar denominated debt and finance lease obligations. An interest rate exposure arises to the extent that the mix of these obligations are not matched with our assets. This exposure is primarily managed through the use of interest rate caps and interest rate swaps using a cash flow based risk management model. This model takes the expected cash flows generated by our assets and liabilities and then calculates by how much the value of these cash flows will change for a given movement in interest rates. Our policy is to seek to ensure that the net worth of our business will not be exposed to more than a $15 million movement from a 1% parallel shift in US dollar interest rates across the yield curve.
Under our interest rate swaps, we pay fixed amounts and receive floating amounts on a monthly basis. The swaps amortize based on a number of factors, including the expiration dates of the leases under which our lessees are contracted to make fixed rate rental payments and the three- or six-month LIBOR reset dates under our floating rate leases. Under our interest rate caps, we will receive the excess, if any, of LIBOR, reset monthly or quarterly on an actual/360 adjusted basis, over the strike rate of the relevant cap.
The table below provides information as of December 31, 2007 regarding our derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates on our borrowing, including our interest rate caps and swaps. The table presents the average notional amounts and weighted average interest rates which are contracted for the specified year. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments to be exchanged under the contract. Weighted average variable rates are based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at the applicable date.
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Thereafter |
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(US Dollars in millions) |
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Interest rate caps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Notional amounts | $ | 2,057.9 | $ | 1,908.0 | $ | 1,261.3 | $ | 880.3 | $ | 584.1 | $ | 466.8 | $ | 919.0 | $ | 21.9 | ||||||||
Weighted average strike rate | 4.71 | % | 5.12 | % | 5.39 | % | 5.44 | % | 5.56 | % | 5.62 | % | 5.61 | % | |
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2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
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(US Dollars in millions) |
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Interest rate swaps | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notional amounts | $ | 60.0 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted average pay rate | 5.38 | % | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2007, the interest rate swaps and caps had notional amounts of $2.4 billion and a fair value of $21.5 million. The variable benchmark interest rates associated with these instruments ranged from one to sixmonth LIBOR. The swap above is with our AeroTurbine operation.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and approving our overall interest rate management policies and transaction authority limits. Specific hedging contracts are approved by the treasury committee acting within the overall policies and limits. Our counterparty risk is monitored on an ongoing basis, but is mitigated by the fact that all of our interest rate derivatives, except Aircraft Lease Securitisation's derivatives, require two-way cash collateralization. Our counterparties are subject to the prior approval of the treasury committee.
108
Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations
Our functional currency is the US dollar. As of December 31, 2007, all of our aircraft leases and all of our engine leases were payable in US dollars. We incur Euro-denominated expenses in connection with our offices in The Netherlands and Ireland. For the year ended December 31, 2007, our aggregate expenses denominated in currencies other than the US dollar, such as payroll and office costs and professional advisory costs, were $56.6 million in US dollar equivalents and represented 48.7% of total selling, general and administrative expenses. We enter into foreign exchange contracts based on our projected exposure to foreign currency risks in order to protect ourselves from the effect of period over period exchange rate fluctuations. Mark-to-market gains or losses on such contracts are recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses since most of our non-US denominated payments relate to such expenses. We do not believe that a change in foreign exchange rates will have material impact on our results of operations. However, the portion of our business conducted in foreign currencies could increase in the future, which could increase our exposure to losses arising from currency fluctuations.
Inflation
Inflation generally affects our costs, including selling, general and administrative expenses and other expenses. However, we do not believe that our financial results have been, or will be, adversely affected by inflation in a material way.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.
None.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.
Not applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Our management, with the participation of the chairman of our board of directors and the members of our Disclosure committee, has evaluated, as of December 31, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to achieve their intended objectives.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
109
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal ControlIntegrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V., the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 20-F, audited the effectiveness of our controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 under Auditing Standard No. 5 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Their audit report may be found on page F-2.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Throughout the course of 2007, we have implemented several enhancements to our system of internal control as described below:
We believe that these measures along with other measures already implemented have led to an improvement in our systems of internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16A. Audit committee financial expert.
Our board of directors has determined that Ronald Bolger is an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined by SEC rules, and that he is "independent" as that term is defined under applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
110
Our board of directors has adopted our code of conduct, a code that applies to members of the board of directors including its chairman and other senior officers, including the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer. This code is publicly available on our website at www.aercap.com.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
In January 2003, the SEC adopted rules requiring disclosure of fees billed by a public company's independent auditors in each of the company's two most recent fiscal years. Our auditors charged the following fees for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007:
|
2006 |
2007 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(Euros in thousands) |
|||||
Audit fees | € | 3,074 | € | 2,412 | ||
Audit-related fees | 200 | | ||||
Total | € | 3,274 | € | 2,412 | ||
Audit Fees are defined as the standard audit work that needs to be performed each year in order to issue opinions on our consolidated financial statements and to issue reports on our local statutory financial statements. Also included are services that can only be provided by our auditor, such as auditing of nonrecurring transactions and implementation of new accounting policies, reviews of quarterly financial results, consents and comfort letters and any other audit services required for US Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory filings.
Audit-Related Fees include those other assurance services provided by the independent auditor but not restricted to those that can only be provided by the auditor signing the audit report. These fees comprise amounts for services for Sarbanes-Oxley 404 controls design effectiveness review.
During the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, our auditors were not engaged to perform any services that are defined as tax fees or for any other type of services.
Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee's policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our auditor. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services, as described above. Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or categories of services, and is subject to a specific budget. Our management and our auditor report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees for the services performed to date on an annual basis. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve additional services on a case-by-case basis.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.
Not applicable.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
111
Item 17. Financial Statements.
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements.
Please refer to pages F-1 through F-57 of this annual report.
We have filed the following documents as exhibits to this annual report:
Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibit |
|
---|---|---|
1.1 |
Articles of Association(1) |
|
2.1 |
Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated December 30, 2005, between Airbus S.A.S. and AerVenture Limited(1)(4) |
|
2.2 |
Security Trust Agreement, dated April 26, 2006, among AerFunding 1 Limited, the additional grantors referred to therein as grantors, UBS Securities LLC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas(1) |
|
2.3 |
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated April 26, 2006, among AeroTurbine, Inc., The Subsidiary Guarantors of AeroTurbine, Inc., the borrower's party thereto and Calyon New York Branch(1) |
|
2.4 |
Aircraft Asset Security Agreement, dated April 26, 2006, among AeroTurbine, Inc. The Subsidiary Guarantors of AeroTurbine, Inc., the borrower's party thereto, the trusts party thereto, as trusts and Calyon New York Branch(1) |
|
2.5 |
Pledge Agreement, dated April 26, 2006, between AerCap, Inc. and Calyon New York Branch(1) |
|
2.6 |
Joint Venture Agreement, dated December 30, 2005, among AerCap Ireland Limited, International Cargo Airlines Company KSC and AerVenture Limited(1) |
|
2.7 |
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 16, 2006, among AerCap, Inc. and Nicolas Finazzo, Rose Ann Finazzo and Robert B. Nichols(1) |
|
2.8 |
Facility Agreement, dated April 23, 2003, among the Banks and Financial Institutions named therein as ECA Lenders, the Banks and Financial Institutions named therein as Mismatch Lenders, Credit Lyonnais, Kreditanstalt Für Wiederaufbau, Sunrise Leasing Limited, Sundance Leasing Limited, Sunray Leasing Limited, Sunshine Leasing Limited, Sunglow Leasing Limited, Sunflower Aircraft Leasing Limited, Debis Aircraft Leasing XXX B.V. and Debis AirFinance B.V.(1) |
112
2.9 |
Sale and Purchase Agreement regarding the acquisition of all shares in and certain loans and facilities granted to debis AirFinance B.V. by and between DaimlerChrysler Services AG, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, HVB Banque Luxembourg SA, Bayerische Landesbank, BLB Beteiligungsgesellschaft Beta mbH, Dresdner Bank AG, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, DZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH Nr. 6, KfW and FERN S.a r.l. as amended by the Amendment Agreement dated June 29, 2005 by and between the DaimlerChrysler Services AG, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, HVB Banque Luxembourg SA, Bayerische Landesbank, BLB Beteiligungsgesellschaft Beta mbH, Dresdner Bank AG, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, DZ Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH Nr. 6, KfW, FERN S.a r.l., FERN GP S.a r.l. and AerCap Holdings C.V.(1) |
|
2.10 |
AerCap Holdings N.V. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (including form of Stock Option Agreement)(1) |
|
2.11 |
Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated December 11, 2006, between Airbus S.A.S. and AerCap Ireland Limited(2)(4) |
|
2.12 |
Amended and Restated Trust Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2007, among Aircraft Lease Securitisation Limited, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, cash manager and Operating Bank and Calyon, as initial primary liquidity facility provider, and MBIA Insurance Corporation, as the policy provider(3) |
|
2.13 |
Amendment No. 1 dated May 11, 2007 to Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated December 11, 2006, between Airbus S.A.S. and AerCap Ireland Limited(3)(4) |
|
2.14 |
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 8, 2007, among AerFunding 1 Limited, AerCap Ireland Limited, UBS Real Estate Securities Inc. and other financial institutions named as Class A Lenders and Class B Lenders, UBS Securities LLC, the other Funding Agents named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas(3) |
|
2.15 |
First Amendment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2007, among AerFunding 1 Limited, AerCap Ireland Limited, the Other Service Providers named therein, UBS Real Estate Securities Inc. and other financial institutions named as Class A Lenders and Class B Lenders, UBS Securities LLC, the other Funding Agents named therein and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas |
|
2.16 |
Amendment, Restatement and Accession dated December 20, 2007 to Senior Loan Facility Agreement originally dated October 12, 2006 between AerCap Dutch Aircraft Leasing I B.V., as Borrower, Azzurro Aircraft Leasing Limited, as Additional Borrower, Calyon as Senior Arranger, Senior Agent and Collateral Trustee and the financial institutions named therein |
|
2.17 |
Amended and Restated Facility Agreement dated July 27, 2007 among AerVenture Limited, as Borrower, and Calyon S.A. and KfW, as Lenders, and Calyon S.A. as Security Trustee and Agent |
|
2.18 |
Second Amended and Restated Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2007, among AeroTurbine, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time as Parties thereto, Calyon New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, HSH Nordbank AG, as Syndication Agent and Wachovia Bank N.A., DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, as Co-Documentation Agents |
113
2.19 |
Amendment Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, among AerCap AerVenture Holding B.V., NLM AerVenture Holding B.V., International Cargo Airlines Company KSC and AerVenture Limited |
|
2.20 |
Amendment Agreement, dated December 12, 2007, among AerCap AerVenture Holding B.V., NLM AerVenture Holding B.V. and AerVenture Limited |
|
8.1 |
List of Significant Subsidiaries of AerCap Holdings N.V. |
|
12.1 |
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
12.2 |
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
12.3 |
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 |
114
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
AERCAP HOLDINGS N.V. |
||
/s/ KLAUS HEINEMANN Klaus Heinemann Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 18, 2008
115
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AerCap Holdings N.V. Consolidated Financial Statements | ||
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-2 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets As of December 31, 2006 and 2007 | F-5 | |
Consolidated Income Statements For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005, the Period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and the Year Ended December 31, 2007 | F-6 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005, the Period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and the Year Ended December 31, 2007 | F-7 | |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005, the Period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005, the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and the Year Ended December 31, 2007 | F-8 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | F-9 | |
Additional InformationFinancial Statements Schedule I | F-53 |
F-1
REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AerCap Holdings N.V.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AerCap Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries ("the Company") as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for the period from June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the accompanying financial statement Schedule I presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in "Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" on page 109. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits (which was an integrated audit in 2007). We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
F-2
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Rotterdam,
March 18, 2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V.
A. Tukker RA
F-3
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of AerCap Holdings N.V.,
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations, cash flows and other data shown therein of debis AirFinance B.V. ("AerCap B.V.") and its subsidiaries for the period from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the accompanying financial statement Schedule I presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement Schedule I are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement Schedule I based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements and financial statement Schedule I in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Rotterdam,
March 18, 2008
PricewaterhouseCoopers Accountants N.V.
A. Tukker RA
F-4
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
as of December 31, 2006 and 2007
|
|
December 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note |
2006 |
2007 |
|||||
|
|
(US dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts) |
||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 131,201 | $ | 241,736 | ||||
Restricted cash | 3 | 112,277 | 95,072 | |||||
Trade receivables, net of provisions of $2,496 and $4,088 | 4 | 25,058 | 35,591 | |||||
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net | 5 | 2,966,779 | 3,050,160 | |||||
Flight equipment held for sale | | 136,135 | ||||||
Notes receivable, net of provisions, of $2,563 and nil | 6 | 167,451 | 184,820 | |||||
Prepayments on flight equipment | 7 | 166,630 | 247,839 | |||||
Investments | 8 | 18,000 | 11,678 | |||||
Goodwill | 9 | 6,776 | 6,776 | |||||
Intangibles | 9 | 34,229 | 41,855 | |||||
Inventory | 10 | 82,811 | 90,726 | |||||
Derivative assets | 11 | 17,871 | 21,763 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 16 | 96,521 | 85,253 | |||||
Other assets | 12 | 92,432 | 144,823 | |||||
Total Assets | $ | 3,918,036 | $ | 4,394,227 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity |
||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 6,958 | $ | 16,376 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 13 | 92,466 | 81,379 | |||||
Accrued maintenance liability | 259,739 | 255,535 | ||||||
Lessee deposit liability | 77,686 | 83,628 | ||||||
Debt | 14 | 2,555,139 | 2,892,744 | |||||
Accrual for onerous contracts | 15 | 111,333 | 46,411 | |||||
Deferred revenue | 28,391 | 33,574 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 16 | 3,383 | 3,425 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies | 23 | | | |||||
Total Liabilities | 3,135,095 | 3,413,072 | ||||||
Minority interest, net of taxes | 31,937 | 30,782 | ||||||
Ordinary share capital, €0.01 par value (200,000,000 ordinary shares authorized, 85,036,957 ordinary shares issued and outstanding) | 17 | 699 | 699 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 591,553 | 602,469 | ||||||
Accumulated retained earnings | 158,752 | 347,205 | ||||||
Total Shareholders' Equity | 751,004 | 950,373 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | $ | 3,918,036 | $ | 4,394,227 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005,
the Period From June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005,
the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and the Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
AerCap B.V. |
AerCap Holdings N.V. |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Note |
Six months ended June 30, 2005 |
June 27, 2005 to December 31, 2005 |
Year ended December 31, 2006 |
Year ended December 31, 2007 |
||||||||||
|
|
(US dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
|||||||||||||
Revenues | |||||||||||||||
Lease revenue | 19 | $ | 162,155 | $ | 173,568 | $ | 443,925 | $ | 554,226 | ||||||
Sales revenue | 75,822 | 12,489 | 301,405 | 558,263 | |||||||||||
Management fee revenue | 6,512 | 7,674 | 14,072 | 14,343 | |||||||||||
Interest revenue | 13,130 | 20,335 | 34,681 | 29,742 | |||||||||||
Other revenue | 6,13 | 3,459 | 1,006 | 20,336 | 19,947 | ||||||||||
Total Revenues | 261,078 | 215,072 | 814,419 | 1,176,521 | |||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 5 | 66,407 | 45,918 | 102,387 | 141,113 | ||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 57,632 | 10,574 | 220,277 | 432,143 | |||||||||||
Interest on debt | 14 | 69,857 | 44,742 | 166,219 | 234,770 | ||||||||||
Operating lease in costs | 15 | 13,877 | 11,441 | 25,232 | 20,176 | ||||||||||
Leasing expenses | 15,348 | 12,081 | 21,477 | 18,825 | |||||||||||
Provision for doubtful notes and accounts receivable | 4,6 | 3,161 | 3,002 | (186 | ) | 745 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses(a) | 20 | 19,559 | 26,949 | 149,364 | 116,328 | ||||||||||