UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

March 31, 2012

or

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

For the transition period from            to

Commission File number 001-32959

AIRCASTLE LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda 
Bermuda98-0444035

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT

 06902
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(203) 504-1020

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YESþ    NOo¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YESþ    NOo¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þ  Accelerated filer ¨
Large acceleratedNon-accelerated filero Accelerated filerþ¨Non-accelerated fileroSmaller reporting companyo
(Do  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YESo¨    NOþ

As of October 31, 2011,April 30, 2012, there were 72,258,47272,245,218 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.01 per share.

 


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

     
Page
No.
 
 PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1. Financial Statements

 Financial Statements  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011March 31, 2012   3  
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 20112012   4  
Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsComprehensive Income for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 20112012   5  
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2012   6  
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements7

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   2523  

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   5648  

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures   5749  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings   50  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings1A.

Risk Factors   5850  

Item 1A. Risk Factors2.

 58
   5850  

Item 6. Exhibits3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities   5950  

Item 4.

SIGNATUREMine Safety Disclosures   6050  
EX-10.1

Item 5.

EX-31.1Other Information50
EX-31.2

Item 6.

EX-32.1Exhibits51
EX-32.2

EX-99.1SIGNATURE

EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT53
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


PART I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

         
  December 31,  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
      (Unaudited) 
ASSETS
        
Cash and cash equivalents $239,957  $266,254 
Accounts receivable  1,815   1,259 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents  191,052   195,573 
Restricted liquidity facility collateral  75,000   111,000 
Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $785,490 and $945,178  4,065,780   4,196,918 
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments  219,898   95,259 
Other assets  65,557   78,892 
       
Total assets $4,859,059  $4,945,155 
       
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY LIABILITIES
        
Borrowings from secured and unsecured financings (including borrowings of ACS Ireland VIEs of $314,877 and $301,006, respectively) $2,707,958  $2,779,729 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities  76,470   81,948 
Dividends payable  7,964   9,035 
Lease rentals received in advance  43,790   40,885 
Liquidity facility  75,000   111,000 
Security deposits  83,241   83,986 
Maintenance payments  342,333   327,573 
Fair value of derivative liabilities  179,585   157,574 
       
Total liabilities  3,516,341   3,591,730 
       
         
Commitments and Contingencies        
         
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
        
Preference shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding      
Common shares, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 79,640,285 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010; and 72,277,599 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011  796   723 
Additional paid-in capital  1,485,841   1,399,204 
Retained earnings  104,301   166,696 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (248,220)  (213,198)
       
Total shareholders’ equity  1,342,718   1,353,425 
       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $4,859,059  $4,945,155 
       

   December 31,
2011
  March 31,
2012
 
      (Unaudited) 

ASSETS

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $295,522   $256,670  

Accounts receivable

   3,646    3,584  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

   247,452    185,306  

Restricted liquidity facility collateral

   110,000    107,300  

Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $981,932 and $1,034,764

   4,387,986    4,386,010  

Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments

   89,806    78,102  

Other assets

   90,047    129,566  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total assets

  $5,224,459   $5,146,538  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

LIABILITIES

   

Borrowings from secured and unsecured financings (including borrowings of ACS Ireland VIEs of $295,952 and $291,042, respectively

  $2,986,516   $2,923,230  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

   105,432    86,996  

Lease rentals received in advance

   46,105    45,565  

Liquidity facility

   110,000    107,300  

Security deposits

   83,037    80,421  

Maintenance payments

   347,122    332,959  

Fair value of derivative liabilities

   141,639    123,461  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   3,819,851    3,699,932  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

Preference shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

   —      —    

Common shares, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 72,258,472 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011; and 72,272,366 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012

   723    723  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,400,090    1,399,797  

Retained earnings

   191,476    213,213  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (187,681  (167,127
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,404,608    1,446,606  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $5,224,459   $5,146,538  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Revenues:
                
Lease rental revenue $133,486  $145,890  $391,741  $430,361 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  (4,203)  (4,709)  (13,957)  (10,841)
Maintenance revenue  2,540      14,630   25,006 
             
Total lease rentals  131,823   141,181   392,414   444,526 
Other revenue  424   326   578   3,733 
             
Total revenues  132,247   141,507   392,992   448,259 
             
                 
Expenses:
                
Depreciation  55,703   60,132   164,272   178,299 
Interest, net  47,453   48,872   128,578   150,384 
Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,532 and $1,619 for the three months ended, and $5,243 and $4,692 for the nine months ended, September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively)  11,334   12,200   34,043   36,309 
Impairment of aircraft  7,342   1,236   7,342   6,436 
Maintenance and other costs  1,192   4,045   6,829   10,944 
             
Total expenses  123,024   126,485   341,064   382,372 
             
                 
Other income (expense):
                
Gain (loss) on sale of flight equipment     8,997   (1,291)  28,958 
Other  (501)  (117)  (1,047)  (153)
             
Total other income (expense)  (501)  8,880   (2,338)  28,805 
             
                 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  8,722   23,902   49,590   94,692 
Income tax provision  153   1,237   4,003   6,041 
             
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
             
                 
Earnings per common share — Basic $0.11  $0.31  $0.57  $1.15 
             
                 
Earnings per common share — Diluted $0.11  $0.31  $0.57  $1.15 
             
                 
Dividends declared per share $0.10  $0.125  $0.30  $0.35 
             

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Revenues:

   

Lease rental revenue

  $141,116   $152,242  

Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives

   (3,102  (1,598

Maintenance revenue

   16,844    12,647  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total lease rentals

   154,858    163,291  

Other revenue

   3,056    1,624  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   157,914    164,915  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Expenses:

   

Depreciation

   59,591    64,514  

Interest, net

   45,619    48,981  

Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,895, and $1,176, respectively)

   12,531    13,198  

Maintenance and other costs

   3,530    2,774  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total expenses

   121,271    129,467  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

   

Gain on sale of flight equipment

   9,662    196  

Other

   (359  (113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

   9,303    83  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   45,946    35,531  

Income tax provision

   3,269    2,929  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per common share — Basic:

   

Net income per share

  $0.54   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per common share — Diluted:

   

Net income per share

  $0.54   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

  $0.10   $0.15  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011   2012 

Net income

  $42,677    $32,602  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

    

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $400 and $289, respectively

   23,468     16,483  

Net derivative loss reclassified into earnings

   2,835     4,071  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

   26,303     20,554  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

  $68,980    $53,156  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
Cash flows from operating activities:
        
Net income $45,587  $88,651 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation  164,272   178,299 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  11,494   12,394 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  13,957   10,841 
Deferred income taxes  2,957   3,854 
Non-cash share based payment expense  5,243   4,692 
Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings  6,412   13,943 
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges  2,533   (716)
Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings  (13,026)  (25,262)
(Gain) loss on sale of flight equipment  1,291   (28,958)
Impairment of aircraft  7,342   6,436 
Other  990   654 
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  15   (1,629)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents  17,503   (4,521)
Other assets  (4,288)  (3,098)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities  3,137   (7,446)
Lease rentals received in advance  3,298   (3,517)
       
Net cash provided by operating activities  268,717   244,617 
       
         
Cash flows from investing activities:
        
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives  (230,450)  (409,421)
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment  34,832   318,547 
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments, net of aircraft sale deposits  (124,994)  (96,939)
Other  (23)  (35)
       
Net cash used in investing activities  (320,635)  (187,848)
       
         
Cash flows from financing activities:
        
Repurchase of shares  (1,662)  (91,402)
Proceeds from term debt financings  472,682   388,894 
Securitization and term debt financing repayments  (257,418)  (317,504)
Deferred financing costs  (11,974)  (18,175)
Restricted secured liquidity facility collateral  4,000   (36,000)
Secured liquidity facility collateral  (4,000)  36,000 
Security deposits received  6,675   17,088 
Security deposits returned  (10,255)  (7,764)
Maintenance payments received  89,035   89,184 
Maintenance payments returned  (39,511)  (65,608)
Payments for terminated hedges  (3,586)   
Dividends paid  (23,853)  (25,185)
       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  220,133   (30,472)
       
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  168,215   26,297 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  142,666   239,957 
       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $310,881  $266,254 
       
         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
        
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest $103,895  $130,923 
       
Cash paid for income taxes $3,121  $1,612 
       
         
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:
        
Security deposits, maintenance liabilities and other liabilities settled in sale of flight equipment $100  $11,066 
       
Advance lease rentals and security deposits assumed in asset acquisitions $4,330  $267 
       
         
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activities:
        
Advance lease rentals converted to maintenance reserves $1,750  $ 
       
Security deposits converted to advance lease rentals $730  $627 
       

   Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  

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

   

Depreciation

   59,591    64,514  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

   3,528    2,716  

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives

   3,102    1,598  

Deferred income taxes

   1,853    1,377  

Non-cash share based payment expense

   1,895    1,176  

Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings

   2,835    4,071  

Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges

   (475  (1,519

Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings

   (18,534  (12,722

Gain on sale of flight equipment

   (9,662  (196

Other

   (57  57  

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

   

Accounts receivable

   1,288    (3,396

Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to operating activities

   (1,006  700  

Other assets

   (731  (1,886

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

   (17,416  (15,338

Lease rentals received in advance

   (5,381  (788
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   63,507    72,966  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives

   (110,410  (48,449

Proceeds from sale of flight equipment

   75,200    2,500  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to sale of flight equipment

   —      35,762  

Purchase of debt investment

   —      (43,626

Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments

   (36,630  (16,518

Other

   —      (40
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (71,840  (70,371
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Repurchase of shares

   (16,367  (1,469

Proceeds from term debt financings

   157,161    —    

Securitization and term debt financing repayments

   (116,340  (63,257

Deferred financing costs

   (7,346  (271

Restricted secured liquidity facility collateral

   4,000    2,700  

Secured liquidity facility collateral

   (4,000  (2,700

Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to security deposits and maintenance payments

   697    25,684  

Security deposits received

   7,009    1,985  

Security deposits returned

   (5,312  (1,495

Maintenance payments received

   27,487    30,275  

Maintenance payments returned

   (30,374  (22,034

Dividends paid

   (7,964  (10,865
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   8,651    (41,447
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   318    (38,852

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   239,957    295,522  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $240,275   $256,670  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

   

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest

  $46,919   $55,233  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

  $1,004   $1,432  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:

   

Purchase deposits, advance lease rentals and security deposits assumed in asset acquisitions

  $—     $1,138  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash financing activities:

   

Security deposits converted to advance lease rentals

  $546   $—    
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011

March 31, 2012

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization

and Basis of Presentation

Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 by Fortress Investment Group LLC and certain of its affiliates (together, the “Fortress Shareholders” or “Fortress”) under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world and investing in aircraft related debt investments.

Basis of Presentation

Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in a single segment.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

2011.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, we revised the presentation in our consolidated statements of cash flows to reflect the net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents from security deposits and maintenance payments as financing activities. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, our consolidated statements of cash flows reflected the net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents from security deposits and maintenance payments as cash flows from operating activities. Therefore, the amounts included for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates eight Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU”) ASU 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”),Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update change the wording used to describe the requirements in US GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements which include (1) those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and (2) those that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurement. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Also effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU 2011-12 (“ASU 2011-12”)Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. This ASU defers the ASU 2011-05 requirement that companies present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in both net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”) on the face of the financial statements. During the deferral period, there is no requirement to separately present or disclose the reclassification adjustments into net income. The FASB expects to complete a project to reconsider the presentation requirement for reclassification adjustments in 2012. The deferral allows the FASB time to further research the matter. ASU 2011-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2011-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Risk and Uncertainties

In the normal course of business, Aircastle encounters several significant types of economic risk including credit, market, aviation industry and capital market risks. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations. Market risk reflects the change in the value of derivatives and financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying derivatives and financings. Aviation industry risk is the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry which could adversely impact a lessee’s ability to make payments, increase the risk of unscheduled lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s aircraft. Capital market risk is the risk that the Company is unable to obtain capital at reasonable rates to fund the growth of our business or to refinance existing debt facilities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Unadopted Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)FASB issued an exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”),Leases. Under the Lease ED, a lessor would be required to adopt a right-of-use model where the lessor

6


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
would apply one of two approaches to each lease based on whether the lessor retains exposure to significant risks or benefits associated with the underlying asset. In July 2011, the FASB tentatively decided on a new model for lessor accounting that would require a single approach for all leases, with a few exceptions. Under the new model, a lease receivable would be recognized for the lessor’s right to

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

receive lease payments, a portion of the carrying amount of the underlying asset would be allocated between the right of use granted to the lessee and the lessor’s residual value and profit or loss would only be recognized at commencement if it is reasonably assured. Even though the FASB has not completed all of its deliberations, the decisions made to date were sufficiently different from those published in the Lease ED issued in August 2010. As a result, the FASB decided to warrant re-exposure ofre-expose the revised proposal. The FASB intends to complete its deliberations and publish a revised proposed leases standard duringED in the firstsecond half of 2012. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2016. When and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it may have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Although we believe the presentation of our financial statements, and those of our lessees could change, we do not believe the accounting pronouncement will change the fundamental economic reasons for which the airlines lease aircraft. Therefore, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our business.

     In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”),Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update change the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements which include (1) those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and (2) those that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurement. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-05”),Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which gives the option to present the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive net income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In either option, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. If a two statement approach is used, the statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income. This update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. It also requires the presentation on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In October 2011, the FASB decided to propose a deferral of the new requirement and issue an exposure draft on the decision. The deferral allows the FASB time to further research the matter, including a proposed requirement to disclose in the notes to the financial statements amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income. The deferral, if finalized, would not change the other requirements stated above. The deferral would be effective at the same time that the new standard on comprehensive is adopted. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:

7


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market corroborated inputs.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants price the asset or liability.

The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

Market

The market approach — Usesuses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

Income

The income approach — Usesuses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectation about those future amounts.

Cost

The cost approach — Basedis based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.

                     
  Fair Value  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010 
  as of  Using Fair Value Hierarchy 
  December 31,              Valuation 
  2010  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Technique 
Assets:
                    
Cash and cash equivalents $239,957  $239,957  $  $  Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents  191,052   191,052        Market
Derivative assets  374      374     Income
                 
Total $431,383  $431,009  $374  $     
                 
                     
Liabilities:
                    
Derivative liabilities $179,585  $  $124,404  $55,181  Income
                 
                     
  Fair Value  Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2011 
  as of  Using Fair Value Hierarchy 
  September 30,              Valuation 
  2011  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Technique 
Assets:
                    
Cash and cash equivalents $266,254  $266,254  $  $  Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents  195,573   195,573        Market
                 
Total $461,827  $461,827  $  $     
                 
                     
Liabilities:
                    
Derivative liabilities $157,574  $  $97,529  $60,045  Income
                 

8


00000000000000000000
      Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2011
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
  Fair Value
as of
December 31,
2011
   Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Valuation
Technique

Assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $295,522     $295,522     $—       $—      Market

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

  247,452     247,452     —       —      Income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $542,974     $542,974     $—       $—      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Liabilities:

         

Derivative liabilities

  $141,639     $—       $85,410     $56,229    Income
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

00000000000000000000000000000000000
       Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2012
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
   Fair Value
as of
March 31,
2012
   Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
   Valuation
Technique

Assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $256,670      $256,670      $—        $—      Market

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

   185,306     185,306     —       —      Income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $441,976      $441,976      $—        $—      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Liabilities:

          

Derivative liabilities

   $123,461      $—        $72,519      $50,942    Income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Our cash and cash equivalents, along with our restricted cash and cash equivalents balances, consist largely of money market securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy. Our interest rate derivatives included in Level 2 consist of United States dollar denominateddollar-denominated interest rate derivatives, and their fair values are determined by applying standard modeling techniques under the income approach to relevant market interest rates (cash rates, futures rates, swap rates) in effect at the period close to determine appropriate reset and discount rates and incorporates an assessment of the risk of non-performance by the interest rate derivative counterparty in valuing derivative assets and an evaluation of the Company’s credit risk in valuing derivative liabilities.

Our interest rate derivatives included in Level 3 consist of United States dollar denominateddollar-denominated interest rate swaps on Term Financing No. 1 with a guaranteed notional balance. The guaranteed notional balance has an upper notional band that matches the hedged debt and a lower notional band. The notional balance is guaranteed to match the hedged debt balance if the debt balance decreases within the upper and lower notional band. DuringAs of April 4, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2010,interest rate derivatives included in Level 3 were terminated when the notional balancerelated hedged debt was adjusted to matchrepaid with proceeds from the debt balance ofSenior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020 (See Note 5. Securitizations and Term Financing No. 1 as a result of various changes to Term Financing No. 1 including supplemental principal payments and debt payoff related to an aircraft sale.Debt Financings — Unsecured Debt Financings below). The fair value of thethese interest rate derivative is derivatives as of March 31, 2012 was

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

determined in a manner consistent with the counterparty’s settlement value methodology which was based on the adjusted upperlower notional band using cash flows discounted at the relevant market interest rates in effect at the period close. It incorporates an assessment of the risk of non-performance by the interest rate derivative counterparty in valuing derivative assets and an evaluation of the Company’s credit risk in valuing derivative liabilities.risk. The range of the guaranteed notional between the upperlower and lowerupper band represents an optioninterest rate cap that may not be exercised independently of the debt notional and is therefore valued based on unobservable market inputs.

The following tables reflect the activity for the classes of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011:2012, respectively:

   Liabilities 
   Derivative
Liabilities
 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

  $(55,181

Total gains/(losses), net:

  

Included in other income (expense)

   (122

Included in interest expense

   6  

Included in other comprehensive income

   6,533  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2011

  $(48,764
  

 

 

 

        
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended   Liabilities 
 September 30, 2010 September 30, 2010   Derivative
Liabilities
 
 Derivative Liabilities 
Balance at beginning of period $(59,416) $(38,907)

Balance as of December 31, 2011

  $(56,229
Total gains/(losses), net:   
Included in other income (expense)  (171)  (446)   (113
Included in interest expense  (58)  (180)   73  
Included in other comprehensive income  (6,795)  (26,907)   5,327  
 ��     

 

 
Balance at end of period $(66,440) $(66,440)

Balance as of March 31, 2012

  $(50,942
       

 

 
         
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 2011  September 30, 2011 
  Derivative Liabilities 
Balance at beginning of period $(54,526) $(55,181)
Total gains/(losses), net:        
Included in other income (expense)  (117)  (359)
Included in interest expense  (35)  (74)
Included in other comprehensive income  (5,367)  (4,431)
       
Balance at end of period $(60,045) $(60,045)
       

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 andMarch 31, 2011, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3 and we had no purchases, issuances, sales or settlements of Level 3 items.

9

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3 and we had no issuances, sales or settlements of Level 3 items.


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, when US GAAP requires the application of fair value, including events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable. Assets subject to these measurements include aircraft. We record aircraft at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. Fair value measurements for aircraft impaired are based on an income approach that uses Level 3 inputs, which include our assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft.
     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $7,342 related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft, triggered by the early termination of the lease for one aircraft, a signed forward sales agreement for the other aircraft and, for each, the change to estimated future cash flows. The Company recorded $4,396 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessee of the Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft during the three months ended March 31, 2010 and $1,765 related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessee of the Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2010.
     In the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized an impairment of $5,200 related to a Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft triggered by the early termination of the lease and the change to estimated future cash flows. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded an additional $1,236 impairment for this Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft triggered by our decision to sell the aircraft, whereupon we adjusted the net book value of the aircraft to its estimated disposition value. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded $2,267 related to maintenance revenue and $878 reversal of lease incentives related to the former lessee of this aircraft.

Our financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts borrowed under financings and interest rate derivatives. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short termshort-term nature.

The fair values of our securitizations which contain third-partythird party credit enhancements are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates of borrowing arrangements that do not contain third-partythird party credit enhancements. The fair values of our term debt financings and bank financings are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

The fair value of our Senior Notes due 2018 is estimated using quoted market prices.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 are as follows:

                 
  December 31, 2010  September 30, 2011 
  Carrying Amount  Fair Value  Carrying Amount  Fair Value 
  of Asset  of Asset  of Asset  of Asset 
  (Liability)  (Liability)  (Liability)  (Liability) 
Securitizations and term debt financings $(2,056,012) $(1,829,277) $(1,919,136) $(1,715,657)
ECA term financings  (267,311)  (273,203)  (545,981)  (535,597)
A330 PDP Facility  (88,487)  (88,487)  (18,083)  (18,083)
2010-1 Notes  (296,148)  (328,500)  (296,529)  (310,500)

10


   December 31, 2011 March 31, 2012
   Carrying Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)
 Carrying Amount
of Asset
(Liability)
 Fair Value
of Asset
(Liability)

Securitizations and term debt financings

    $(1,873,652)  $(1,681,023)   $(1,823,639)  $(1,667,046)

ECA term financings

    (536,107)   (524,373)   (526,150)   (528,315)

Bank financings

    (126,000)   (126,000)   (122,712)   (125,411)

Senior Notes due 2018

    (450,757)   (482,625)   (450,729)   (502,875)

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
All of our financial instruments are classified as Level 2 with the exception of our Senior Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
due 2018, which are classified as Level 1.

Note 3. Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease

Minimum future annual lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 were as follows:

     
Year Ending December 31, Amount 
Remainder of 2011 $143,559 
2012  533,378 
2013  459,816 
2014  368,326 
2015  312,461 
2016  282,378 
Thereafter  533,376 
    
Total $2,633,294 
    

Year Ending December 31,

  Amount

Remainder of 2012

   $435,636 

2013

    515,020 

2014

    417,556 

2015

    359,841 

2016

    303,518 

2017

    199,266 

Thereafter

    336,430 
   

 

 

 

Total

   $2,567,267 
   

 

 

 

Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
Region 2010  2011  2010  2011 
Europe  46%  44%  46%  45%
Asia  21%  25%  20%  24%
North America  14%  12%  15%  13%
Latin America  9%  7%  9%  8%
Middle East and Africa  10%  12%  10%  10%
             
Total  100%  100%  100%  100%
            ��

   Three Months Ended
March 31,

Region

  2011 2012

Europe

    46%   43%

Asia

    24%   28%

North America

    13%   12%

Latin America

    9%   6%

Middle East and Africa

    8%   11%
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    100%   100%
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The classification of regions in the tables above and in the table and discussion below is determined based on the principal location of the lessee of each aircraft.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, one customer accounted for 10% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 20% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, one customer accounted for 10% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 19% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.

     For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, one customer accounted for 11% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 20% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011, one customer accounted for 11% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 18% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.

11


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011

March 31, 2012

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, one customer accounted for 10% of lease rental revenue and four additional customers accounted for a combined 26% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.

The following tables settable sets forth revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total revenue based on each lessee’s principal place of business:

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2011   2012 

Country

  Revenue   Percent of
Total
Revenue
  Number
of
Lessees
   Revenue   Percent of
Total
Revenue
  Number
of
Lessees
 

United States

  $16,735     11  4    $27,513     17  5  

China

   16,274     10  5     18,219     11  4  

Egypt(1)

   17,069     11  1     —       —    —    
                         
  Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2010  2011 
          Number          Number 
      Percent of Total  of      Percent of Total  of 
Country Revenue  Revenue  Lessees  Revenue  Revenue  Lessees 
China $14,714   11%  5  $18,431   13%  4 
United States  16,980   13%  4   14,844   10%  4 
Netherlands(1)
  14,015   11%  3      %   

(1)Total revenue attributable to the Netherlands was less than 10%Egypt includes $1.2 million of lease rental revenue, $12.6 million of maintenance revenue and other revenue of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.
                         
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2010  2011 
          Number          Number 
      Percent of Total  of      Percent of Total  of 
Country Revenue  Revenue  Lessees  Revenue  Revenue  Lessees 
United States $50,379   13%  4  $48,261   11%  4 
China  42,557   11%  5   50,832   11%  5 
Netherlands(1)
  42,042   11%  3      %   
(1)Total revenue attributableMarch 31, 2011 related to the Netherlands was less than 10% forearly termination of four leases in the nine months ended September 30,first quarter of 2011. As of March 31, 2011, we had no aircraft on lease in Egypt.

Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment held for lease was as follows:

   December 31, 2011  March 31, 2012 

Region

  Number
of
Aircraft
  Net Book
Value %
  Number
of
Aircraft
  Net Book
Value %
 

Europe

   66    41  67    41

Asia

   39    28  39    27

North America

   16    9  16    9

Latin America

   10    6  11    6

Middle East and Africa

   9    15  8    14

Off-lease

   4(1)   1  4(2)   3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   144    100  145    100
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
                 
  December 31, 2010  September 30, 2011 
  Number      Number    
  of  Net Book  of  Net Book 
Region Aircraft  Value %  Aircraft  Value % 
Europe  66   46%  65   43%
Asia  35   26%  35   24%
North America  14   10%  14   9%
Latin America  11   8%  10   6%
Middle East and Africa  10   10%  9   16%
Off-lease     %  5(1)  2%
             
Total  136   100%  138   100%
             
(1)Includes two Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft being converted from passenger to freighter configuration, one of these aircraft was delivered to a customer in North America in January 2012 and for which we have commitments fora commitment to lease the other aircraft post-conversion withto a customer in North America; twoone Airbus Model A320-200 aircraft one offor which is subject towe have a lease commitment, with a customer in Asia and the other of which is subject to a lease commitment with a customer in Europe; and one Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft that iswhich was sold in January 2012.
(2)Includes one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft being marketedconverted from passenger to freighter configuration, which was delivered to a customer in North America in April 2012, one Boeing Model 747-400 BDSF aircraft for sale.which we have a commitment to lease to a customer in North America, one Boeing Model 737-700 aircraft and one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft.

12


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
The following table sets forth net book value of flight equipment attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total assetsnet book value of flight equipment based on each lessee’s principal place of business as of:

   December 31, 2011   March 31, 2012 

Country

  Net Book
Value
   Net Book
Value %
  Number of
Lessees
   Net Book
Value
   Net Book
Value %
  Number of
Lessees
 

China

  $526,008     12  4    $534,621     12  4  

Russia

   453,695     10  8     447,362     10  8  
                         
  December 31, 2010  September 30, 2011 
      Net Book  Number of      Net Book  Number of 
Country Net Book Value  Value %  Lessees  Net Book Value  Value %  Lessees 
China $518,545   13%  5  $532,352   13%  4 
Russia(1)
           400,441   10%  7 
Netherlands(2)
  410,086   10%  3      %   
(1)Net book value attributable to Russia was less than 10% at December 31, 2010.
(2)Net book value attributable to the Netherlands was less than 10% at September 30, 2011.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

At December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on the consolidated balance sheets were $26,536$28,412 and $24,103,$22,654, respectively.

     At December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011, the amounts of prepaid lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization, recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets were $9,115 and $16,003, respectively.

Note 4. Variable Interest Entities

Aircastle consolidates eight VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. The operating activities of these VIEs are limited to acquiring, owning, leasing, maintaining, operating and, under certain circumstances, selling the nineteen23 aircraft discussed below.

Securitizations and Term Financing

In connection with Securitization No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland plc (“ACS Ireland”) and ACS Aircraft Finance Bermuda Limited (“ACS Bermuda”) issued Class A-1 notes, and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Securitization No. 2, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland 2 Limited (“ACS Ireland 2”) and ACS 2007-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 2”) issued Class A-1 notes and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Term Financing No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Ireland 3 Limited (“ACS Ireland 3”) and ACS 2008-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 3”) entered into a seven yearseven-year term debt facility and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the term debt facility. ACS Bermuda, ACS Bermuda 2 and ACS Bermuda 3 are collectively referred to as the “ACS Bermuda Group”.Group.” At September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the assets of the three VIEs include fifteen15 aircraft transferred into the VIEs at historical cost basis in connection with Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1.

Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of ACS Ireland, ACS Ireland 2 and ACS Ireland 3 (collectively, the “ACS Ireland VIEs”), as we have both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of such VIEs and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through Class E-1 Securities. Although Aircastle has not guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs debt, Aircastle wholly owns the ACS Bermuda Group which has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs obligations. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft. Aircastle Advisor (Ireland) Limited (Aircastle’s wholly owned subsidiary) is the Remarketing Servicerremarketing servicer and is responsible for the leasing of the aircraft. An Irish charitable trust owns 95% of the common shares of the ACS Ireland VIEs. The Irish charitable trust’s risk is limited to its annual dividend of $2 per VIE.

13


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
The combined assets of the ACS Ireland VIEs as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 are $471,380.$468,996. The combined liabilities of the ACS Ireland VIEs, net of $96,016 Class E-1 Securities held by the Company, which is eliminated in consolidation, as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 are $420,543.
$416,551.

ECA Term Financings

Aircastle, through various subsidiaries, each of which is owned by a charitable trust (such entities, collectively the “Air Knight VIEs”), entered into nine different twelve-year term loans, which are supported by guarantees from Compagnie Francaise d’Assuranced’ Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, (“COFACE”), the French government sponsored export credit agency (“ECA”). These loans provided for the financing for nine new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft. In June 2011, we repaid one of these loans from the proceeds of the sale of the related aircraft. At September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, Aircastle had eight outstanding term loans with guarantees from COFACE. We refer to these COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings”.

Financings.”

Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of the Air Knight VIEs, as we have the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of such VIEs and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through a finance lease. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft of which our wholly owned subsidiary is the Servicerservicer and is responsible for managing the relevant aircraft. There is a cross collateralization guarantee between the Air Knight VIEs. In addition, Aircastle guarantees the debt of the Air Knight VIEs.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

The only assets that the Air Knight VIEs have on their books are financing leases that are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements and deferred financing costs. The related aircraft, with a net book value as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 were $666,922,$656,372, are included in our flight equipment held for lease. The consolidated debt outstanding of the Air Knight VIEs as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 is $545,981.

$526,150.

Note 5. Securitizations and Term Debt Financings

The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings were as follows:

   At
December 31,
2011
   At March 31, 2012

Debt Obligation

  Outstanding
Borrowings
   Outstanding
Borrowings
   Interest Rate(1) Final Stated
Maturity(2)

Secured Debt Financings:

       

Securitization No. 1

  $387,124    $374,073    0.51% 06/20/31

Securitization No. 2

   891,452     866,428    0.50% 06/14/37

Term Financing No. 1(3)

   595,076     583,138    2.00% 05/02/15

ECA Term Financings

   536,107     526,150    2.65% to 3.96% 12/03/21 to 07/13/23

Bank Financings

   126,000     122,712    4.22% to 4.57% 09/15/15 to 10/26/17
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total secured debt financings

   2,535,759     2,472,501     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Unsecured Debt Financings:

       

Senior Notes due 2018

   450,757     450,729    9.75% 08/01/18

2010 Revolving Credit Facility

   —       —      N/A 09/28/13
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total unsecured debt financings

   450,757     450,729     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total secured and unsecured debt financings

  $2,986,516    $2,923,230     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    
                 
  At    
  December 31,    
  2010  At September 30, 2011 
  Outstanding  Outstanding      Final Stated 
Debt Obligation Borrowings  Borrowings  Interest Rate(1)  Maturity(2) 
Secured Debt Financings:
                
Securitization No. 1 $415,103  $395,665   0.50%  06/20/31 
Securitization No. 2  997,713   916,457   0.49%  06/14/37 
Term Financing No. 1  643,196   607,014   1.98%  05/02/15 
ECA Term Financings  267,311   545,981  2.65% to 3.96% 12/03/21 to 07/13/23 
A330 PDP Facility  88,487   18,083   2.70%  12/01/11(3)
               
Total secured debt financings  2,411,810   2,483,200         
               
                 
Unsecured Debt Financings:
                
2010-1 Notes  296,148   296,529   9.75%  08/01/18 
2010 Revolving Credit Facility        N/A   09/28/13 
               
Total unsecured debt financings  296,148   296,529         
               
                 
Total secured and unsecured debt financings $2,707,958  $2,779,729         
               

(1)Reflects floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin except for the ECA Term Financings, Bank Financings and the 2010-1Senior Notes due 2018, which are fixed rate.
 
(2)Effective June 2011 for Securitization No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest is applied to debt amortization. For Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization, if the debt is not refinanced by June 2012 and May 2013, respectively.

14


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
 
(3)Reflects the last scheduled delivery month for the six relevant new Airbus A330-200 delivery positions. The final maturity date is the earlierIn April 2012, we used a portion of the aircraft delivery date or nine months afternet proceeds of the scheduled delivery month for the last scheduled delivery position.private placement of $500,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 and $300,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020 to pay off Term Financing No. 1.

The following securitizations and term debt financing structures include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:

      Available Liquidity        

Facility

  

Liquidity Facility Provider

  December 31,
2011
   March 31,
2012
   Unused
Fee
  Interest Rate
on any Advances
 

Securitization No. 1

  

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

   $42,000    $42,000     0.45  1M Libor + 1.00

Securitization No. 2

  

HSH Nordbank AG

   66,859     65,000     0.50  1M Libor + 0.75

Term Financing No. 1

  

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(1)

   11,902     11,663     0.60  1M Libor + 1.20
                   
    Available Liquidity       
    December 31,  September 30,  Unused  Interest Rate 
Facility Liquidity Facility Provider 2010  2011  Fee  on any Advances 
Securitization No. 1 Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(1) $42,000  $42,000   0.45% 1M Libor + 1.00%
Securitization No. 2 HSH Nordbank AG(2)  74,828   68,734   0.50% 1M Libor + 0.75%
Term Financing No. 1 Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(3)  12,864   12,140   0.60% 1M Libor + 1.20%

(1)Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility providerFacility was terminated in June 2011, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
(2)Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider in May 2009, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
(3)There is no ratings threshold for the liquidity facility provider underApril 2012 upon repayment of Term Financing No. 1 and, accordingly, the ratings change referred to in footnote (1) above did not trigger a liquidity facility drawing in relation to Term Financing No. 1.1—(See Unsecured Debt Financings below).
Secured Debt Financings:
Term Financing No. 1
     In March 2011, we completed the annual maintenance-adjusted appraisal for the Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio and we have determined that we are in compliance with the loan to value ratio on the October 2011 payment date.
ECA Term Financings
     During 2011, we entered into five twelve-year term loans which are supported by guarantees from COFACE, for the financing of new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft totaling $359,393, and we repaid in full the outstanding principal balance of one of our ECA term financings in the amount of $61,571.
     The obligations outstanding under the ECA Term Financings are secured by, among other things, a mortgage over the aircraft and a pledge of our ownership interest in our subsidiary company that leases the aircraft to the operator. The ECA Term Financings documents contain a $500,000 minimum net worth covenant for Aircastle Limited, as well as a material adverse change default and cross default to any other recourse obligation of Aircastle Limited, and other terms and conditions customary for ECA-supported financings being completed at this time. In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the ECA Term Financings.

15


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011

March 31, 2012

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Senior Notes due 2017 and Senior Notes due 2020

In April 2012, we closed an offering of $500,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes due 2017”) and $300,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Notes due 2020”). We used the net proceeds of the private placement to repay outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1 and the termination of the associated interest rate derivatives, and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets.

As of March 31, 2012, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in our financings.

Note 6. Dividends

The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared by our Boardboard of Directorsdirectors for the periods covered in this report:

             
  Dividend  Aggregate     
  per Common  Dividend     
Declaration Date Share  Amount  Record Date Payment Date
December 14, 2009 $0.10  $7,955  December 31, 2009 January 15, 2010
March 12, 2010 $0.10   7,951  March 31, 2010 April 15, 2010
May 25, 2010 $0.10   7,947  June 30, 2010 July 15, 2010
September 21, 2010 $0.10   7,947  September 30, 2010 October 15, 2010
December 6, 2010 $0.10   7,964  December 31, 2010 January 14, 2011
March 8, 2011 $0.10   7,857  March 31, 2011 April 15, 2011
June 27, 2011 $0.125   9,364  July 7, 2011 July 15, 2011
September 14, 2011 $0.125   9,035  September 30, 2011 October 14, 2011
Note 7. Shareholders’ Equity and Share Based Payment
     In March 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $60,000 of the Company’s common shares. In June 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program by up to an additional $30,000 of its common shares, for a total of up to $90,000 of its common shares in the aggregate. Under the program, the Company may purchase its common shares from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors, including the price and availability of the Company’s common shares, trading volume and general market conditions. The Company may also from time to time establish a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) to facilitate purchases of its common shares under this authorization. Through September 30, 2011, we repurchased 7,552,820 shares at a total cost of $90,000 including commissions, completing the share purchases to the authorized amounts.

Declaration Date

  Dividend
per Common
Share
   Aggregate
Dividend
Amount
   Record Date  Payment Date

December 6, 2010

   $0.100     $7,964    December 31, 2010  January 14, 2011

March 8, 2011

   $0.100     7,857    March 31, 2011  April 15, 2011

June 27, 2011

   $0.125     9,364    July 7, 2011  July 15, 2011

September 14, 2011

   $0.125     9,035    September 30, 2011  October 14, 2011

November 7, 2011

   $0.150     10,839    November 30, 2011  December 15, 2011

February 17, 2012

   $0.150     10,865    February 29, 2012  March 15, 2012

Note 8.7. Earnings Per Share

We include all common shares granted under our incentive compensation plan which remain unvested (“restricted common shares”) and contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (“participating securities”), in the number of shares outstanding in our basic and diluted earnings per share calculations using the two-class method. All of our restricted common shares are currently participating securities.

Under the two-class method, earnings per common share are computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period as follows:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Weighted-average shares:
                
Common shares outstanding  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
Restricted common shares  1,048,237   970,559   1,137,163   965,655 
             
Total weighted-average shares  79,584,941   73,920,920   79,607,400   76,756,660 
             

16


   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Weighted-average shares:

   

Common shares outstanding

   78,785,736    71,696,939  

Restricted common shares

   913,671    630,038  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total weighted-average shares

   79,699,407    72,326,977  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Percentage of weighted-average shares:

   

Common shares outstanding

   98.85  99.13

Restricted common shares

   1.15  0.87
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   100.00  100.00
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
                
Common shares outstanding  98.68%  98.69%  98.57%  98.74%
Restricted common shares  1.32%  1.31%  1.43%  1.26%
             
Total  100.00%  100.00%  100.00%  100.00%
             

March 31, 2012

The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Earnings per share — Basic:
                
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
  (113)  (298)  (651)  (1,115)
             
Earnings available to common shareholders — Basic $8,456  $22,367  $44,936  $87,536 
             
                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
             
                 
Earnings per common share — Basic $0.11  $0.31  $0.57  $1.15 
             
                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Earnings per share — Diluted:
                
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
  (113)  (298)  (651)  (1,115)
             
Earnings available to common shareholders — Diluted $8,456  $22,367  $44,936  $87,536 
             
                 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
Effect of dilutive shares  (b)  (b)  (b)  (b)
             
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Diluted  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
             
                 
Earnings per common share — Diluted $0.11  $0.31  $0.57  $1.15 
             

$00,000,000$00,000,000
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Earnings per share – Basic:

   

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)

   (489  (284
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings available to common shareholders – Basic

  $42,188   $32,318  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic

   78,785,736    71,696,939  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per common share – Basic

  $0.54   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per share – Diluted:

   

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)

   (489  (284
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings available to common shareholders – Diluted

  $42,188   $32,318  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic

   78,785,736    71,696,939  

Effect of dilutive shares

   —  (b)   —  (b) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted

   78,785,736    71,696,939  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per common share – Diluted

  $0.54   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(a)For the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011, distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares is 1.32% and 1.31%, respectively, of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011,2012, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.43%1.15% and 1.26%0.87%, respectively, of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
 
(b)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, we have no dilutive shares.

17


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Note 9.8. Income Taxes

Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. This date was recently extended by the Government of Bermuda from March 2016. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.

The sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 20112012 were as follows:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
U.S. operations $218  $372  $1,240  $1,195 
                 
Non-U.S. operations  8,504   23,530   48,350   93,497 
             
Total $8,722  $23,902  $49,590  $94,692 
             

$00,000,000$00,000,000
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
           2011                   2012         

U.S. operations

  $434    $324  

Non-U.S. operations

   45,512     35,207  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $45,946    $35,531  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. We also have a U.S-basedU.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.

Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Notional U.S. federal income tax expense at the statutory rate $3,053  $8,365  $17,357  $33,142 
U.S. state and local income tax, net  17   20   78   68 
Non-U.S. operations:                
Bermuda  135   (3,597)  (8,035)  (19,832)
Ireland  (3,065)  (1,246)  (6,269)  (4,167)
Other low tax jurisdictions  5   (2,097)  (14)  (3,740)
Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.  135   18   1,025   806 
Other  (127)  (226)  (139)  (236)
             
Provision for income taxes $153  $1,237  $4,003  $6,041 
             

18


   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Notional U.S. federal income tax expense at the statutory rate

   $16,081   $12,436  

U.S. state and local income tax, net

   24    24  

Non-U.S. operations:

   

Bermuda

   (11,996  (8,632

Ireland

   (1,071  (30

Other

   (522  (920

Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.

   757    55  

Other

   (4  (4
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

   $  3,269   $2,929  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Note 10.9. Interest, Net

The following table shows the components of interest, net:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities(1)
 $40,144  $42,066  $111,090  $129,757 
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses  764   (118)  2,533   (716)
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses(2)
  2,338   5,717   6,412   13,943 
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount(3)
  5,734   2,977   11,494   12,394 
             
Interest Expense  48,980   50,642   131,529   155,378 
Less interest income  (207)  (95)  (247)  (355)
Less capitalized interest  (1,320)  (1,675)  (2,704)  (4,639)
             
Interest, net $47,453  $48,872  $128,578  $150,384 
             
(1)For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes the loan termination fee of $3,196 related to an aircraft sold in June 2011.
(2)For the three months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $1,704 related to an aircraft sold in September 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $3,543 related to two aircraft sold in 2011.
(3)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2,471 related to the pay-off of a term financing loan and a secured credit facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2,456 related to an aircraft sold in June 2011.

   Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
   2011  2012 

Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities

  $41,278   $44,969  

Hedge ineffectiveness gains

   (475  (1,519

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses

   2,835    4,071  

Amortization of deferred financing fees

   3,528    2,716  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Interest Expense

   47,166    50,237  

Less interest income

   (161  (171

Less capitalized interest

   (1,386  (1,085
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Interest, net

  $45,619   $48,981  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Note 11.10. Commitments and Contingencies

On June 20, 2007, we entered into an acquisition agreement (the “Airbus A330 Agreement”), under which we agreed to acquire new A330 aircraft (the “New A330 Aircraft”), from Airbus S.A.S. At September 30, 2011,(“Airbus”). As of March 31, 2012, we had twoone New A330 Aircraft remaining to be delivered. This new A330 Aircraft was delivered one of which is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011 and one of which is scheduled for delivery inApril 2012. In addition, as of September 30, 2011,

At March 31, 2012, we committed to acquire approximately $97,350 of aircraft which we expect to take delivery of in the fourth quarter of 2011.

     Committed amountshad commitments to acquire, convert andand/or modify aircraft including, where applicable, our estimate of adjustments for configuration changes, engine acquisition costs, contractual price escalations and other adjustments, net of amounts already paid, are approximately $187,576of $256,049, of which we expect to occur $233,509 in 20112012 and $87,692$22,540 in 2012.
2013.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

Note 12.11. Derivatives

The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.

     In September 2011, we entered into a series of interest rate forward contracts with a combined notional amount of $645,543. These forward starting interest rate derivatives are hedging the variable rate interest payments related to Securitization No. 2 for the period June 2012 through June 2017. These interest rate derivatives were designated at inception as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

19


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2011:
                                 
  Derivative Liabilities 
              Future             
  Current          Maximum             
  Notional  Effective  Maturity  Notional  Floating  Fixed       
Hedged Item Amount  Date  Date  Amount  Rate  Rate  Balance Sheet Location  Fair Value 
Interest rate derivatives
designated as cash
flow hedges:
                                
                                 
Currently in effect:
                                
                                 
Securitization No. 1 $382,841  Jun-06 Jun-16 $382,841  1M LIBOR + 0.27%  5.78% Fair value of derivative liabilities $62,727 
                                 
Securitization No. 2  961,282  Jun-07 Jun-12  961,282  1M LIBOR 5.25%
to
5.36%
 Fair value of derivative liabilities  32,252 
                                 
Term Financing No. 1  549,940  Jun-08 May-13  549,940  1M LIBOR  4.04% Fair value of derivative liabilities  29,301 
                              
                                 
Total interest rate
derivatives currently in
effect
 $1,894,063          $1,894,063               124,280 
                              
                                 
Forward starting:
                                
Securitization No. 2 $  Jun-12 Jun-17 $645,543  1M LIBOR 1.26%
to
1.28%
 Fair value of derivative liabilities  2,550 
                                 
Term Financing No. 1    May-13 May-15  477,838  1M LIBOR  5.31% Fair value of derivative liabilities  30,744 
                              
Total forward starting
interest rate derivatives
 $          $1,123,381               33,294 
                              
Total interest rate
derivative liabilities
                             $157,574 
                                
March 31, 2012:

   Derivative Liabilities 

Hedged Item

  Current
Notional
Amount
   Effective
Date
  Maturity
Date
  Future
Maximum
Notional
Amount
   Floating
Rate
 Fixed
Rate
  Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
 

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:

              

Securitization No. 1

  $362,507    Jun-06  Jun-16  $362,507    1M LIBOR

+ 0.27%

  5.78 Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
  $56,945  

Securitization No. 2(1)

   929,725    Jun-07  Jun-12   929,725    1M LIBOR  

 

 

5.25

to

5.36


  

 Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
   9,065  

Securitization No. 2(1)

   —      Jun-12  Jun-17   645,543    1M LIBOR  

 

 

1.26

to

1.28


  

 Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
   6,509  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

   1,292,232         1,937,775         72,519  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:

              

Term Financing No. 1(2)

   528,309    Jun-08  May-13   528,309    1M LIBOR  4.04 Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
   19,026  

Term Financing No. 1(2)

   —      May-13  May-15   417,960    1M LIBOR  5.31 Fair value of
derivative
liabilities
   31,916  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges

   528,309         946,269         50,942  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivative liabilities

  $1,820,541        $2,884,044        $123,461  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

(1)The interest payments related to Securitization No. 2 are being hedged by two consecutive interest rate derivatives. When the first matures in June 2012, the next becomes effective.
(2)The interest rate derivatives hedging the variable interest rate payments of Terming Financing No. 1 were de-designated as of March 30, 2012 when it became probable that the Term Financing No. 1 debt would be repaid from the net proceeds from the Senior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020. On April 4, 2012, upon the repayment of Term Financing No. 1, both interest rate derivatives were terminated resulting in a net deferred loss of $50,429 which will be amortized into interest expense using the interest rate method. The mark-to-market adjustment for the period from date of de-designation through the termination date will be charged to other income (expense) on our consolidated statement of income.

The weighted average interest pay raterates of these derivatives at December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011 was 5.01%March 31, 2012 were 5.04% and 5.03%, respectively.

For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives was $68,321.$20,822. The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives is $70,154.

$31,336.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, our interest rate derivatives are held with the following counterparties: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Citibank Canada NA, HSH Nordbank AG and Wells Fargo Bank NA. All of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of A3Baa2 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. All are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of AA- or above) by Standard and Poor’s, except HSH Nordbank AG, which is not rated. We do not anticipate that any of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $5,123$4,035 related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and $1,116 related to the interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges.

20


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Historically, the Company acquired its aircraft using short termshort-term credit facilities and equity. The short termshort-term credit facilities were refinanced by securitizations or term debt facilities secured by groups of aircraft. The Company completed two securitizations and two term financings during the period 2006 through 2008. The Company entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge interest payments on variable rate debt for acquired aircraft as well as aircraft that it expected to acquire within certain future periods. In conjunction with its financing strategy, the Company used interest rate derivatives for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years to fix the interest rates on the variable rate debt that it incurred to acquire aircraft in anticipation of the expected securitization or term debt re-financings.

At the time of each re-financing, the initial interest rate derivatives were terminated and new interest rate derivatives were executed as required by each specific debt financing. At the time of each interest rate derivative termination, certain interest rate derivatives were in a gain position and others were in a loss position. Since the hedged interest payments for the variable rate debt associated with each terminated interest rate derivative were probable of occurring, the gain or loss was deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized into interest expense over the relevant period for each interest rate derivative.

Following is the effect of interest rate derivatives on the statement of financial performance for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011:

                     
Effective Portion  Ineffective Portion 
          Amount of      Amount of 
Derivatives in Amount of  Location of  Gain or (Loss)  Location of  Gain or (Loss) 
ASC 815 Gain or (Loss)  Gain or (Loss)  Reclassified from  Gain or (Loss)  Recognized in 
Cash Flow Recognized in OCI  Reclassified from  Accumulated OCI  Recognized in  Income on 
Hedging on Derivative  Accumulated OCI  into Income  Income on  Derivative 
Relationships (a)  into Income  (b)  Derivative  (c) 
Interest rate derivatives $(46,051) Interest expense $(77,522) Interest expense $(968)
March 31, 2012:

Effective Portion

 

Ineffective Portion

Derivatives in

ASC 815

Cash Flow

Hedging

Relationships

 Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in

OCI on
Derivative
(a)
 

Location of

Gain or (Loss)

Reclassified from

Accumulated

OCI into Income

 Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated

OCI into Income(b)
 

Location of

Gain or (Loss)

Recognized in

Income on Derivative

  Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in

Income on
Derivative
(c)

Interest rate derivatives

 $(3,975) Interest expense $(24,529) Interest expense  $587

(a)This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for each of the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012.
 
(b)This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for each of the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
 
(c)This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011 excluding accelerated amortization of deferred losses of $3,551.March 31, 2012.
         
      Amount of Gain 
  Location of Gain  or (Loss) 
  or (Loss)  Recognized in 
Derivatives Not Designated as Recognized in Income  Income on 
Hedging Instruments under ASC 815 On Derivative  Derivative 
Interest rate derivatives Other income (expense) $(733)

21


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011

     The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011:
                                         
                              Amount of Deferred    
                              (Gain) or Loss    
                              Amortized  Amount of 
                          Unamortized  (including Accelerated  Deferred 
                          Deferred  Amortization) into  (Gain) or Loss 
  Original                  Deferred  (Gain) or Loss  Interest Expense for  Expected to be 
  Maximum          Fixed      (Gain) or  at  the Nine Months Ended  Amortized 
  Notional  Effective  Maturity  Rate  Termination  Loss Upon  September 30,  September 30,  over the Next 
Hedged Item Amount  Date  Date  %  Date  Termination  2011  2010  2011  Twelve Months 
Securitization No. 1 $400,000  Dec-05 Aug-10  4.61  Jun-06 $(12,968) $  $(1,847) $  $ 
                                         
Securitization No. 1  200,000  Dec-05 Dec-10  5.03  Jun-06  (2,541)     (191)      
                                         
Securitization No. 2  500,000  Mar-06 Mar-11  5.07  Jun-07  (2,687)     (511)  (122)   
                                         
Securitization No. 2  200,000  Jan-07 Aug-12  5.06  Jun-07  (1,850)  (272)  (264)  (251)  (272)
                                         
Securitization No. 2  410,000  Feb-07 Apr-17  5.14  Jun-07  (3,119)  (1,399)  (267)  (264)  (347)
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  150,000  Jul-07 Dec-17  5.14  Mar-08  15,281   8,138   1,450   1,347   1,676 
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  440,000  Jun-07 Feb-13  4.88  Partial — Mar-08
Full — Jun-08
  26,281   6,413   4,229   3,927   4,884 
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  248,000  Aug-07 May-13  5.33  Jun-08  9,888   2,462   2,233   1,228   1,553 
                                         
2010-1 Notes  360,000  Jan-08 Feb-19  5.16  Partial — Jun-08
Full — Oct-08
  23,077   9,112   1,390   1,058   815 
                                      
                                         
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  238,000  Jan-11 Apr-16  5.23  Dec-08  19,430   14,907   13   3,525(1)  3,825 
                                         
                                     
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  231,000  Apr-10 Oct-15  5.17  Partial — Jun-08
Full — Dec-08
  15,310   9,941   177   1,791   3,379 
                                         
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  238,000  Jul-11 Sep-16  5.27  Dec-08  17,254   14,265      1,704(2)  2,584 
                                    
                                         
Total                     $103,356  $63,567  $6,412  $13,943  $18,097 
                                    

March 31, 2012

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under ASC 815

Location of Gain
or (Loss)
Recognized in Income

On Derivative
Amount of Gain
or (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative
(1)

Interest rate derivatives

  Includes accelerated amortization of deferred losses in the amount of $1,839 related to an aircraft sold during the period.
(2)Other income (expense)  Represents accelerated amortization of deferred losses related to an aircraft sold during the period.$(113)

On an ongoing basis, terminated interest rate derivative notionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest payments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable. Due to the sale of certain aircraft in the second half of 2011 and the resulting repayment of ECA Term Financing debt, amortization of deferred losses was accelerated.

For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the amount of deferred net loss (including $3,551 of accelerated amortization) reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $13,943.$4,071. The amount of deferred net loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our terminated interest rate derivatives is $18,097. Over the next twelve months, we expect the amortization of deferred net losses to increase as the gains on Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2 are either fully amortized or will be in the near future and the losses on the forward starting A330 swaps begin to amortize as we take delivery of these aircraft.

22

$34,538.


Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Interest Expense:
                
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses $764  $(118) $2,533  $(716)
             
Amortization:                
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses(1)
  313   1,704   766   3,551 
Amortization of deferred losses  2,025   4,013   5,646   10,392 
             
Total Amortization  2,338   5,717   6,412   13,943 
             
Total charged to interest expense $3,102  $5,599  $8,945  $13,227 
             
                 
Other Income (Expense):
                
Mark to market gains (losses) on undesignated interest rate derivatives $(444) $(117) $(990) $(733)
             
Total charged to other income (expense) $(444) $(117) $(990) $(733)
             
(1)For the three months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $1,704 related to an aircraft sold in September 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $3,543 related to two aircraft sold in 2011.

December 31,December 31,
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
           2011              2012     

Interest Expense:

   

Hedge ineffectiveness gains

  $(475 $(1,519
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Amortization:

   

Amortization of deferred losses

   2,835    4,071  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Amortization

   2,835    4,071  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total charged to interest expense

  $2,360   $2,552  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

   

Mark to market losses on undesignated interest rate derivatives

  $(359 $(113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total charged to other income (expense)

  $(359 $(113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Note 13.12. Other Assets

The following table describes the principal components of other assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of:

         
  December 31,  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $43,826 and $52,382, respectively $30,045  $36,207 
Deferred federal income tax asset  11,905   12,311 
Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $26,749 and $19,444, respectively  9,115   16,003 
Other assets  14,492   14,371 
       
Total other assets $65,557  $78,892 
       

December 31,December 31,
   December 31,
    2011    
   March 31,
    2012    
 

Debt investments(1)

  $—      $43,652  

Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $55,173 and $57,917, respectively

   35,960     33,486  

Deferred federal income tax asset

   22,036     22,149  

Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $19,294 and $21,368, respectively

   20,490     16,722  

Other assets

   11,561     13,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets

  $90,047    $129,566  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Represents a loan we acquired in March 2012 that is secured by a commercial jet aircraft that is classified as available for sale.

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

March 31, 2012

Note 14.13. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

The following table describes the principal components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:

         
  December 31,  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $32,145  $39,479 
Deferred federal income tax liability  24,114   28,950 
Accrued interest payable  20,211   13,519 
       
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $76,470  $81,948 
       

23


   December 31,
2011
   March 31,
2012
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $  34,931    $26,262  

Deferred federal income tax liability

   40,410     42,189  

Accrued interest payable

   27,849     16,710  

Lease discounts, net of amortization of $30,830 and $31,411 respectively

   2,242     1,835  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

   $105,432    $86,996  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30, 2011
Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
     Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the changes in the fair value of derivatives, reclassification into earnings of amounts previously deferred relating to our derivative financial instruments and the change in unrealized appreciation of debt securities. Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011 was as follows:
                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $52 and tax expense of $48 for the three months ended, and tax benefit of $332 and tax expense of $576 for the nine months ended, September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively  (7,716)  (2,967)  (37,541)  21,079 
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings  2,338   5,717   6,412   13,943 
             
Total comprehensive income (loss) $3,191  $25,415  $14,458  $123,673 
             
     The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax where applicable, at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011:
     
  Accumulated 
  Other 
  Comprehensive 
  Income (Loss) 
December 31, 2010, net of tax benefit of $2,789 $(248,220)
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $576  21,079 
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings  13,943 
    
September 30, 2011 $(213,198)
    

24


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. The results of operations for the periods reflected herein are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for future periods, and our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” and included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20102011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Please see “Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or US GAAP, and, unless otherwise indicated, the other financial information contained in this report has also been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this report are to, and all monetary amounts in this report are presented in, U.S. dollars.

Certain items in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”), and other information we provide from time to time, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle Limited can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from Aircastle Limited’s expectations include, but are not limited to, significant capital markets disruption and volatility and the significant contraction in the availability of bank financing, which may adversely affect our continued ability to obtain additional capital to finance our working capital needs; volatility in the value of our aircraft or in appraisals thereof, which may, among other things, result in increased principal payments under our term financings and reduce our cash flow available for investment or dividends; general economic conditions and business conditions affecting demand for aircraft and lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to capital, reduced load factors and/or reduced yields, operational disruptions or unavailability of capital caused by political unrest in North Africa, the Middle East or elsewhere, uncertainties in the Eurozone arising from the sovereign debt crisis and other factors affecting the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform their obligations under our leases; termination payments on our interest rate hedges; and other risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle Limited’sAircastle’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including “Risk Factors” as previously disclosed in Aircastle’s 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and elsewhere in this report. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Aircastle Limited expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

WEBSITE AND ACCESS TO COMPANY’S REPORTS

The Company’s Internet website can be found at www.aircastle.com. Our annual reports on Forms 10-K, quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act are available free of charge through our website under “Investors — SEC Filings” as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

25


Statements and information concerning our status as a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) for U.S. taxpayers are also available free of charge through our website under “Investors — SEC Filings”.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Boardboard of Directorsdirectors committee charters (including the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) are available free of charge through our website under “Investors — Corporate Governance”. In addition, our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, which applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer and Controller, is available in print, free of charge, to any shareholder upon request to Investor Relations, Aircastle Limited, c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC, 300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.

The information on the Company’s website is not part of, or incorporated by reference, into this report, or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

OVERVIEW

We are a global company that acquires, leases, and sells high-utility commercial jet aircraft to passenger and cargo airlinescustomers throughout the world. High-utility aircraft are generally modern, operationally efficient jets with a large operator base and long useful lives. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, our aircraft portfolio consisted of 138145 aircraft that were leased to 6165 lessees located in 34 countries, and managed through our offices in the United States, Ireland and Singapore. Typically, our aircraft are subject to net operating leases whereby the lessee is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs, although in a majority of cases, we are obligated to pay a portion of specified maintenance or modification costs. From time to time, we also make investments in other aviation assets.assets, including debt investments secured by commercial jet aircraft. Our revenues and income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 were $141.5$164.9 million and $22.7$32.6 million, and $448.3 million and $88.7 million, respectively.

The availability of equity and debt capital remains limited for the type of aircraft investments we are currently pursuing. However, we plan to grow our business and profits over the long termlong-term by continuing to employ our fundamental business strategy by:

  

Selectively investing in additional commercial jet aircraft and other aviation assets when attractively priced opportunities and cost effective financing are available.We believe the large and growing aircraft market will continue to provide significant acquisition opportunities over the long term.long-term. We also believe the contraction in traditional aviation bank debt lending capacity will offer attractive near termnear-term investment opportunities. We regularly evaluate potential aircraft acquisitions and expect to continue our investment program through additional passenger and cargo aircraft purchases when attractively priced opportunities and cost effective financing are available.

  

Maintaining an efficient capital structure by using various long-term financing structures to obtain cost effective financing and leveraging the efficient operating platform and strong operating track record we have established.We have financed our aircraft acquisitions using various long-term debt structures obtained through several different markets to obtain cost effective financing. In this regard, we believe having corporate credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s enables us to access a broader pool of capital than many of our peers. Notwithstanding the contraction in traditional aviation bank lending capacity, we expect capital to continue to be available, thus allowing us to acquire additional aircraft and other aviation assets to optimize the return on our investments and to grow our business and profits. We will also seek opportunities to increase our profits by leveraging the efficient operating platform we have established.

  

Reinvesting a portion of the cash flows generated by our business in additional aviation assets and/or our own debt and equity securities.Aircraft have a finite useful life and through a strategy of reinvesting a portion of our cash flows from operations and asset sales in our business, we will generally seek to maintain and grow our asset base and earnings base.

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Selling assets when attractive opportunities arise and for portfolio management purposes.We pursue asset sales as opportunities over the course of the business cycle with the aim of realizing profits and reinvesting proceeds where more accretive investments are available. We also use asset sales for portfolio management purposes such as reducing lessee specific concentrations and lowering residual value exposures to certain aircraft types.

We also believe our team’s capabilities in the global aircraft leasing market place us in a favorable position to explore new income-generating activities as capital becomes available for such activities. We intend to continue to focus our efforts on investment opportunities in areas where we believe we have competitive advantages and on transactions that offer attractive risk/return profiles after taking into consideration available financing options. In any case, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access capital on a cost-effective basis, and a failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

     Thus far in 2011,

For the first three months of 2012, air traffic data havehas continued to demonstrate improvement in both the passenger andmarkets while the air cargo markets.markets shrank slightly. According to the International Air Transport Association, global passenger andtraffic increased by 7.4% while air cargo traffic, demand increased by 6.3% and 0.1%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2011measured in freight ton kilometers, decreased 0.7% as compared to the same period in 2010, though we have seen signs2011. We believe that airpassenger and cargo traffic will likely increase as the global economic recovery continues, and that demand has softened recently. The effects of the tsunami in Japan on the electronics and automotive industries’ supply chains andfor high-utility aircraft will strengthen as a slowing of growth in some leading economies have been key factors in a slowdown in the cargo markets. Moreover,result. However, there are significant regional variations in both passenger and cargo demand, and airlines operating primarily in areas with slower economic growth, such as Europe, or with political instability, such as North Africa and the Middle East, may see more modest growth. The longer term trends are, nevertheless, encouraging andNonetheless, for the long-term basis, we believe that passenger and cargo traffic will likely increase over time. As a result, we expect that demand for high-utility aircraft will continue to remain strong. We believe the market will be driven, to a large extent, by expansion of emerging market economies and rising levels of per capita air travel in those markets.

We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends to our shareholders.shareholders based on the company’s sustainable earnings levels; however, our ability to pay quarterly dividends will depend upon many factors, including those as previously disclosed in Aircastle’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On March 8, 2011,February 17, 2012, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10$0.15 per common share, or an aggregate of $7.9$10.9 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2011,2012, which was paid on AprilMarch 15, 20112012 to holders of record on March 31, 2011. On June 27, 2011, our board of directors declared a regular quarterlyFebruary 29, 2012. This dividend of $0.125 per common share, or an aggregate of $9.4 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2011, which was paid on July 15, 2011 to holders of record on July 7, 2011. On September 14, 2011, our board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per common share, or an aggregate of $9.0 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, which was paid on October 14, 2011 to holders of record on September 30, 2011. These dividends may not be indicative of the amount of any future dividends.

Revenues

Our revenues are comprised primarily of operating lease rentals on flight equipment held for lease, revenue from retained maintenance payments related to lease expirations and lease termination payments and lease incentivesincentive amortization.

Typically, our aircraft are subject to net operating leases whereby the lessee pays lease rentals and is generally responsible for maintaining the aircraft and paying operational, maintenance and insurance costs, although in a majority of cases we are obligated to pay a portion of specified maintenance or modification costs. Our aircraft lease agreements generally provide for the periodic payment of a fixed amount of rent over the life of the lease and the amount of the contracted rent will depend upon the type, age, specification and condition of the aircraft and market conditions at the time the lease is committed. The amount of rent we receive will depend on a number of factors, including the credit-worthiness of our lessees and the occurrence of delinquencies, restructurings and defaults. Our lease rental revenues are also affected by the extent to which aircraft are off-lease and our ability to remarket aircraft that are nearing the end of their leases in order to minimize their off-lease time. Our success in re-leasing aircraft is affected by market conditions relating to our aircraft and by general industry conditions and trends. An increase in the percentage of off-lease aircraft or a reduction in lease rates upon remarketing would negatively impact our revenues.

Under an operating lease, the lessee will be responsible for performing maintenance on the relevant aircraft and will typically be required to make payments to us for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components of the aircraft. These maintenance payments are based on hours or cycles of utilization or on calendar time,

27


depending upon the component, and would be made either monthly in arrears or at the end of the lease term. For maintenance payments made monthly in arrears during a lease term, we will typically be required to reimburse all or a portion of these payments to the lessee upon their completion of the relevant heavy maintenance, overhaul or parts replacement. We record maintenance payments paid by the lessee during a lease as accrued maintenance liabilities in recognition of our obligation in the lease to refund such payments, and therefore we do not recognize maintenance revenue during the lease. Maintenance revenue recognition would occur at the end of a lease, when we are able to

determine the amount, if any, by which reserve payments received exceed the amount we are required under the lease to reimburse to the lessee for heavy maintenance, overhaul or parts replacement. The amount of maintenance revenue we recognize in any reporting period is inherently volatile and is dependent upon a number of factors, including the timing of lease expiries, including scheduled and unscheduled expiries, the timing of maintenance events and the utilization of the aircraft by the lessee.

Many of our leases contain provisions which may require us to pay a portion of the lessee’s costs for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components. We account for these expected payments as lease incentives, which are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the life of the lease. We estimate the amount of our portion for such costs, typically for the first major maintenance event for the airframe, engines, landing gear and auxiliary power units, expected to be paid to the lessee based on assumed utilization of the related aircraft by the lessee, the anticipated amountcost of the maintenance event cost and the estimated amounts the lessee is responsible to pay.

This estimated lease incentive is not recognized as a lease incentive liability at the inception of the lease. We recognize the lease incentive as a reduction of lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, with the offset being recorded as a lease incentive liability which is included in maintenance payments on the balance sheet. The payment to the lessee for the lease incentive liability is first recorded against the lease incentive liability and any excess above the lease incentive liability is recorded as a prepaid lease incentive asset which is included in other assets on the balance sheet and continues to amortize over the remaining life of the lease.

2011 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
Lease expirations and terminations — placements.In early 2011 we had 11 aircraft with scheduled lease expirations during the year. During the course of 2011 we have had an additional eight aircraft to place, due to early lease terminations or acquisitions of off-lease aircraft. Of these 19 aircraft, we have new leases, lease extensions, sales or sale commitments executed for 17 aircraft, and currently have two aircraft that we are marketing for lease or sale in 2011. The two aircraft we are remarketing for lease or sale in 2011 represent less than one percent of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2011.
Aircraft acquisitions — placements.At January 1, 2011, we were scheduled to take delivery of seven of the new A330 aircraft (the “New A330 Aircraft”) from Airbus S.A.S. in 2011, with one of these aircraft committed for lease to an affiliate of the HNA Group, and the remaining six of these aircraft committed for lease to South African Airways (PTY) LTD, or SAA. The first three aircraft committed for lease to SAA were delivered in the first half of 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, we delivered two additional New A330 Aircraft to SAA and one freighter-configured New A330 Aircraft to an affiliate of the HNA Group. One of the New A330 Aircraft we delivered to SAA in the third quarter of 2011 was immediately sold upon delivery. We have one remaining New A330 Aircraft delivery to SAA scheduled in 2011, and we have also committed to sell this aircraft upon delivery. In addition:
In April 2011, we acquired an off-lease Boeing Model 747-400 passenger aircraft and we inducted the aircraft into a freighter conversion modification program, a process we expect to complete in early 2012. We have a commitment to lease this aircraft upon completion of the freighter conversion process.
In September 2011, we acquired an off-lease Boeing Model 747-400 passenger aircraft and we inducted the aircraft into a freighter conversion modification program, a process we expect to complete in early 2012. We have a commitment to lease this aircraft upon completion of the freighter conversion process.

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We acquired 16 other aircraft thus far in 2011, all of which were on lease when we acquired them.
2012 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements
Scheduled Lease expirations — placements.In early 2011, we had 24 aircraft with scheduled lease expirations in 2012. During the course of 2011, we have executed lease renewals, or commitments for lease renewals, for 13 aircraft and currently have 11 aircraft that we are marketing for lease or sale in 2012. Those 24 aircraft represented 15% of our total net book value at September 30, 2011.
Aircraft acquisitions — placements.We are scheduled to take delivery of the final New A330 Aircraft in 2012, and we have executed a lease agreement for this aircraft with Virgin Australia Airlines. In July 2011, we acquired a Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft that is on lease in passenger configuration. We expect to convert this aircraft into freighter configuration and we are currently marketing the aircraft for lease upon completion of this process.
2013-2015

Scheduled Lease expirations — placements. At the beginning of 2012, we had 17 aircraft with scheduled lease expirations in 2012 and have new leases, lease extension or sale commitments or letters of intent for seven of these aircraft, leaving us with ten such aircraft that we are marketing for lease or sale in 2012. Those ten aircraft represented 5% of our total net book value at March 31, 2012. We also have a lease commitment for one of the Boeing Model 747-400SF aircraft which was returned to us early by World Airways after its Chapter 11 filing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We have reached an agreement with World Airways for a second Boeing Model 747-400SF aircraft to remain on lease to World Airways at a reduced lease rate, and for a shorter lease term. Finally, we are marketing two additional Boeing Model 737-700 aircraft that had scheduled lease expirations in the first quarter of 2013 but are now expected to be returned to us in the second quarter of 2012 following the insolvency of one of our customers, Cimber Sterling A/S in Denmark.

Aircraft acquisitions — placements. We took delivery of the final new A330 aircraft (the “New A330 Aircraft”) from Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) in April 2012 and delivered this aircraft to Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Limited. We currently have no commitments to acquire off-lease aircraft in 2012.

2013-2016 Lease Expirations and Lease Placements

Scheduled lease expirations — placements. Taking into account lease and sale commitments, we currently have the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the period 2013-2016 representing the percentage of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at March 31, 2012 specified below:

2013: 22 aircraft, representing 8%;

Scheduled lease expirations — placements.Taking into account lease and sale commitments, we currently have the following number of aircraft with lease expirations scheduled in the period 2013-2015 representing the percentage of our net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2011 specified below:

2014: 31 aircraft, representing 15%;

2013: 26 aircraft, representing 10%;
2014: 30 aircraft, representing 14%; and
2015: 15 aircraft, representing 6%.

2015: 17 aircraft, representing 7%; and

2016: 22 aircraft, representing 12%.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses are comprised of depreciation of flight equipment held for lease, interest expense, selling, general and administrative expenses, aircraft impairment charges and maintenance and other costs. Because our operating lease terms generally require the lessee to pay for operating, maintenance and insurance costs, our portion of maintenance and other costs relating to aircraft reflected in our statement of income primarily relates to expenses for unscheduled lease terminations.

Income Tax Provision

We have obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 31, 2035, be applicable to us or to any of our operations or to our shares, debentures or other obligations except insofar as such tax applies to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda or to any taxes payable by us in respect of real property owned or leased by us in Bermuda. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily Ireland and the United States.

All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. We also have a U.S-basedU.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.

29


Acquisitions and Dispositions
Disposals

Thus far in 2011,2012, we have acquired 18three aircraft:

One New A330 Aircraft which we delivered to Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Limited in April 2012.

Six New A330 Aircraft under our acquisition agreement, which we refer to as the Airbus A330 Agreement. Three of these aircraft delivered in the first half of 2011, and three delivered in the third quarter of 2011. One of the aircraft we delivered to SAA in the third quarter of 2011 was sold upon delivery.
Three Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft in passenger configuration, two off-lease aircraft which we have inducted into freighter conversion modification programs and which are committed

One on-lease Airbus Model A320-200 aircraft.

One on-lease Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft.

The purchase price for lease upon completion of the conversions, and one on-lease aircraft which we expect to convert into a freighter.

One Boeing Model 777-300ER aircraft, four Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft, one Airbus Model A320-200 passenger aircraft and three Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft.
     Our investments in these aircraft acquisitions in 2011 have2012 totaled approximately $852.9 million, excluding freighter conversion payments.
$127.3 million.

We also have commitments to acquire fourfive aircraft, including:

Two New A330 Aircraft, one of which is expected to deliver later in the fourth quarter of 2011 and which we have committed to sell upon delivery, and one is expected to deliver in the first half of 2012.
Two McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F freighter aircraft which we expect to acquire in a sale-leaseback transaction in the fourth quarter of 2011.
     These commitments total approximately $244.0 million.
     We sold eight aircraft in 2011, four

Three on-lease Boeing Model 737-400SF737-800s aircraft;

One on-lease Boeing Model 747-400 BDSF aircraft; and

One on-lease Airbus Model A330-300 aircraft

During the first quarter of 2012, we sold one Boeing Model 737-400F737-400 aircraft oneand we have a commitment to sell a Boeing Model 737-500737-300 aircraft and two Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft, for an aggregate sales priceat lease expiry, which we expect to occur in the third quarter of approximately $330.1 million.

302012.


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the aircraft owned by us as of September 30, 2011:
March 31, 2012:

AIRCASTLE AIRCRAFT INFORMATION (Dollars(dollars in millions)

     
  Owned 
  Aircraft as of 
  September 30, 2011(1) 
Flight Equipment Held for Lease $4,197 
Number of Aircraft  138 
Latest Generation Aircraft (Percentage of Total Aircraft)  93%
Number of Lessees  61 
Number of Countries  34 
Weighted Average Age — Passenger (years)(2)
  11.4 
Weighted Average Age — Freighter (years)(2)
  9.4 
Weighted Average Age — Combined (years)(2)
  10.8 
Weighted Average Remaining Passenger Lease Term (years)(3)
  4.1 
Weighted Average Remaining Cargo Lease Term (years)(3)
  6.9 
Weighted Average Remaining Combined Lease Term (years)(3)
  5.0 
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization for the three months ended September 30, 2011(4)
  99%
Weighted Average Fleet Utilization for the nine months ended September 30, 2011(4)
  98%

   Owned
Aircraft as  of
March 31, 2012(1)

Flight Equipment Held for Lease

   $4,386 

Number of Aircraft

    145 

Number of Lessees

    65 

Number of Countries

    34 

Weighted Average Age – Passenger (years)(2)

    11.5 

Weighted Average Age – Freighter (years)(2)

    10.3 

Weighted Average Age – Combined (years)(2)

    11.1 

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

    4.0 

Weighted Average Remaining Cargo Lease Term (years)(3)

    5.9 

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

    4.7 

Weighted Average Fleet Utilization during the First Quarter 2012(4)

    99%

Portfolio Yield for the First Quarter 2012(5)

    14%

(1)Calculated using net book value as of September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012.
(2)Weighted average age (years) by net book value.
(3)Weighted average remaining lease term (years) by net book value.
(4)Aircraft on-lease days as a percent of total days in period weighted by net book value, excluding aircraft in freighter conversion.

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PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
         
  Owned Aircraft as of 
  September 30, 2011 
  Number of  % of Net 
  Aircraft  Book Value 
Aircraft Type
        
Passenger:        
Narrowbody  83   37%
Midbody  30   30%
Widebody(1)
  3   3%
       
Total Passenger  116   70%
Freighter(2)
  22   30%
       
Total
  138   100%
       
         
Manufacturer
        
Boeing  85   55%
Airbus  53   45%
       
Total
  138   100%
       
         
Regional Diversification
        
Europe  65   43%
Asia  35   24%
North America  14   9%
Latin America  10   6%
Middle East and Africa  9   16%
Off-lease(3).
  5   2%
       
Total
  138   100%
       
(5)
(1)Includes one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft that will beginLease rental revenue for the conversion process from passenger to freighter inperiod as a percent of the fourth quarteraverage net book value of 2011 and for which we have a commitmentflight equipment held for lease post-conversion with a customer in North America.
(2)Includes one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft being converted from passenger to freighter configuration and for which we have a commitment for a lease post-conversion with a customer in North America.
(3)Includes two Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft being converted from passenger to freighter configuration and for which we have commitments for lease post-conversion with a customer in North America; two Airbus Model A320-200 aircraft, one of whichthe period; quarterly information is subject to a lease commitment with a customer in Asia and the other of which is subject to a lease commitment with a customer in Europe; and one Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft that is being marketed for sale.annualized.

Our owned aircraft portfolio as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 is listed in Exhibit 99.1 to this report. We consider approximately 93% of the total aircraft and 95% of the freighters we owned as of September 30, 2011 to be the most current technology for the relevant airframe and engine type and airframe size, as listed under the headings “Latest Generation Narrowbody Aircraft,” “Latest Generation Midbody Aircraft,” “Latest Generation Widebody Aircraft” and “Latest Generation Widebody Freighter Aircraft” in Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Of our owned aircraft portfolio as of September 30, 2011, $3.6March 31, 2012, $3.7 billion, representing 117116 aircraft and 86%83% of the net book value of our aircraft, was encumbered by secured debt financings, and $0.6$0.7 billion, representing 2129 aircraft and 14%17% of the net book value of our aircraft, was unencumbered by secured debt financings.

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In April 2012, we repaid the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1 with the proceeds from an offering of our unsecured Senior Notes due 2017 and Senior Notes due 2020. Repayment of our Term Financing No. 1 unencumbered 27 aircraft with a net book value of approximately $962.7 million.

Total pro-forma unencumbered aircraft following the repayment of Term Financing No. 1 was 56 aircraft representing $1.7 billion and 39% of net book value of our aircraft at March 31, 2012.

PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION

   Owned Aircraft as  of
March 31, 2012
 
   Number of
Aircraft
   % of Net
Book  Value
 

Aircraft Type

    

Passenger:

    

Narrowbody

   88     37

Midbody

   29     27

Widebody

   3     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Passenger

   120     69

Freighter

   25     31
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   145     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Manufacturer

    

Boeing

   91     57

Airbus

   54     43
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   145     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Regional Diversification

    

Europe

   67     41

Asia

   39     27

North America

   16     9

Latin America

   11     6

Middle East and Africa

   8     14

Off-lease(1)

   4     3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   145     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Includes one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft being converted from passenger to freighter configuration, which was delivered to a customer in North America in April 2012, one Boeing Model 747-400 BDSF aircraft for which we have a commitment to lease to a customer in North America, one Boeing Model 737-700 aircraft and one Boeing Model 747-400 aircraft.

Our largest customer represents less than 9%8% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease at September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012. Our top 15 customers for aircraft we owned at September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, representing 7170 aircraft and 66%61% of the net book value of flight equipment held for lease, are as follows:

Number of

Percent of Net Book Value

  

Customer

  

Country

  Number of
Aircraft

Greater than 6% per customer

  South African Airways  South Africa  4
  HNA Group(1)Hainan Airlines Company  China  9

3% to 6% per customer

  Emirates  United Arab Emirates  2
3% to 6% per customerMartinair(2)Netherlands5
China Eastern Airlines(3)China10
  US Airways  USA  11
8  Martinair(1)Netherlands5
  SriLankan Airlines  Sri Lanka  5
  Airbridge Cargo(4)(2)  Russia  2
  Iberia Airlines  Spain  6
  GOL(5)(3)  Brazil  67

Less than 3% per customer

  Cathay PacificHong Kong1
China Eastern Airlines(4)China6
KLM(2)(1)  Netherlands  1
  World AirwaysOrenburg Airlines  USARussia  24
  Icelandair(6)(5)  Iceland  5
  Korean AirMalaysia Airlines  South KoreaMalaysia  2

 CimberDenmark4
(1)Nine aircraft on lease to affiliates of the HNA Group, although the HNA Group does not guarantee the leases.
(2)Martinair is a wholly owned subsidiary of KLM. AlthoughIf combined with KLM, does not guarantee Martinair’s obligations under the relevant lease, if combined, the two, together with two other affiliated customers, represent 10%9% of flight equipment held for lease.
 
(3)Includes the aircraft leased by China Eastern Airlines and its subsidiaries, Shanghai Airlines and China Cargo Airlines. China Eastern Airlines does not guarantee the obligations of the aircraft we lease to Shanghai Airlines or to China Cargo Airlines.
(4)(2)Guaranteed by Volga-Dnepr.
 
(5)(3)GOL has guaranteed the obligations of an affiliate, VRG Linhas Aereas, and accordingly, the two are shown combined in the above table.
 (4)Does not include the aircraft leased by Shanghai Airlines and China Cargo Airlines, which are wholly owned subsidiaries of China Eastern Airlines. Although China Eastern Airlines does not guarantee the obligations of these subsidiaries under their relevant leases, if combined, the three customers represent 5% of flight equipment held for lease.
(6)(5)Icelandair Group hf, the parent company of Icelandair, has guaranteed the obligations of an affiliate, SmartLynx, and accordingly, the two are shown combined in the above table.

Finance

Historically, our debt financing arrangements typically have been secured by aircraft and related operating leases, and in the case of our securitizations and pooled aircraft term financings, the financing parties have limited recourse to Aircastle Limited. While such financings have historically been available on reasonable terms given the loan to value profile we have pursued, current market conditions continue to limit the availability of both debt and equity capital. Though financing market conditions have recovered recently and we expect them to continue to improve in time, current market conditions remain difficult with respect to financing mid-age, current technology aircraft. During 2010,In April 2012, we accessed the unsecured debt market for the first time by issuingclosed an offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes due 2017”) and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured 9.75%7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 and2020 (the “Senior Notes due 2020”). We used the net proceeds of the private placement to repay a secured term loanoutstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1 and to provide fundingthe termination of the associated interest rate derivatives, and for incremental aircraft acquisitions. We also secured a $50.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which remains undrawn.general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets. During the near term,near-term, we intend to focus our efforts on investment opportunities that are attractive on an unleveraged basis, that tap commercial financial capacity where it is accessible on reasonable terms or for which debt financing that benefits from government guarantees either from the ECAs or from EXIM is available.

We intend to fund new investments through cash on hand and potentially through mediummedium- to longer-term financings on a secured or unsecured basis. We may repay all or a portion of such borrowings from time to time with the net proceeds from subsequent long-term debt financings, additional equity offerings or cash generated from operations.operations and asset sales. Therefore, our ability to execute our business strategy, particularly the acquisition of additional commercial

33


jet aircraft or other aviation assets, depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain additional debt and equity capital on terms we deem attractive.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Secured Debt Financings.”

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 to the three months ended September 30, 2011:March 31, 2012:

         
  Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Revenues:        
Lease rental revenue $133,486  $145,890 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  (4,203)  (4,709)
Maintenance revenue  2,540    
       
Total lease rentals  131,823   141,181 
Other revenue  424   326 
       
Total revenues  132,247   141,507 
       
         
Expenses:        
Depreciation  55,703   60,132 
Interest, net  47,453   48,872 
Selling, general and administrative  11,334   12,200 
Impairment of aircraft  7,342   1,236 
Maintenance and other costs  1,192   4,045 
       
Total operating expenses  123,024   126,485 
       
         
Other income (expense):        
Gain (loss) on sale of flight equipment     8,997 
Other income (expense)  (501)  (117)
       
Total other income (expense)  (501)  8,880 
       
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  8,722   23,902 
Income tax provision  153   1,237 
       
Net income $8,569  $22,665 
       

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Revenues:

   

Lease rental revenue

  $141,116   $152,242  

Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives

   (3,102  (1,598

Maintenance revenue

   16,844    12,647  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total lease rentals

   154,858    163,291  

Other revenue

   3,056    1,624  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   157,914    164,915  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Expenses:

   

Depreciation

   59,591    64,514  

Interest, net

   45,619    48,981  

Selling, general and administrative

   12,531    13,198  

Maintenance and other costs

   3,530    2,774  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

   121,271    129,467  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

   

Gain on sale of flight equipment

   9,662    196  

Other income (expense)

   (359  (113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

   9,303    83  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   45,946    35,531  

Income tax provision

   3,269    2,929  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Revenues:

Total revenues increased by 7.0%4.4%, or $9.3$7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, primarily as a result of the following:

Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $12.4$11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 20102011 was primarily the result of:

$25.426.1 million of revenue from sevenreflecting the full quarter impact of five new aircraft and 13 used aircraft purchased in 2011, and the full quarter revenue of tentwo used aircraft purchased in 2010.2012.

This increase was offset partially by a decrease in lease rental revenue of:

$6.2 million due to aircraft sales and disposals;
$4.0 million due to lease extensions and transitions at lower rentals; and
$2.8 million from the effect of lease terminations.

$9.0 million due to aircraft sales and disposals;

34

$1.1 million from the effect of lease terminations and other changes; and

$4.9 million due to lease extensions and transitions at lower rentals.


Amortization of net lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives.
         
  Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Amortization of lease discounts $596  $612 
Amortization of lease premiums  (76)  (646)
Amortization of lease incentives  (4,723)  (4,675)
       
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives $(4,203) $(4,709)
       

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
   2011 2012
   (Dollars in thousands)

Amortization of lease discounts

   $596   $581 

Amortization of lease premiums

    (76)   (1,242)

Amortization of lease incentives

    (3,622)   (937)
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives

   $(3,102)  $(1,598)
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As more fully described above under “Revenues”, lease incentives represent our estimated portion of the lessee’s cost for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components which is amortized over the life of the related lease. As we enter into new leases, the amortization of lease incentives generally increases and conversely if a related lease terminates, the related unused lease incentive liability will reduce the amortization of lease incentives. The increase in amortization of lease premiums is dueof $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to onethe same period in 2011 primarily resulted from additional amortization on four aircraft acquiredpurchased during the third quartersecond half of 2011. The decrease in amortization of lease on this aircraft will expire at the endincentives of $2.7 million resulted from two unscheduled lease terminations and one scheduled lease termination in the first quarter of 2012.

Maintenance revenuerevenue..

                 
  Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  Dollars  Number of  Dollars  Number of 
  (in thousands)  Leases  (in thousands)  Leases 
                 
Unscheduled lease terminations $2,457   1  $    
Scheduled lease terminations  83          
             
Maintenance revenue $2,540   1  $    
             

   Three Months Ended March 31,
   2011  2012
   Dollars
(in  thousands)
  Number of
Leases
  Dollars
(in thousands)
  Number of
Leases

Unscheduled lease terminations

   $13,032     5    $9,859     2 

Scheduled lease terminations

    3,812     2     2,788     1 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Maintenance revenue

   $16,844     7    $12,647     3 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unscheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we recorded maintenance revenue totaling $1.8in the amount of $13.0 million primarily from an unscheduled lease termination of oneterminations associated with five aircraft. Comparatively, for the same period in 2011,2012, we did not record anyrecorded maintenance revenue totaling $9.9 million from unscheduled lease terminations as we did not have any terminations. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charges for certain aircraft.

primarily associated with two aircraft returned in 2012.

Scheduled lease terminations. For the three months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we recorded maintenance revenue from scheduled lease terminations totaling $0.1$3.8 million associated with two aircraft. Comparatively, for the same period in 2012, we recorded $2.8 million, primarily associated with maintenance revenue from one leased engine, as we had no scheduled lease terminations duringtermination.

Other revenue.For the period. Comparatively, forthree months ended March 31, 2011, other revenue was $3.1 million which was primarily due to additional fees paid by lessees in connection with early termination of four leases. For the same periodthree months ended March 31, 2012, other revenue was $1.6 million which was primarily due to additional fees paid by lessees in 2011, we did not record any maintenance revenue from scheduled lease terminations as we did not have any terminations.

connection with the early termination of two leases.

Operating Expenses:

Total operating expenses increased by 2.8%6.8%, or $3.5$8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 primarily as a result of the following:

Depreciation expenseincreased by $4.48.3%, or $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 over the same period in 2010. The net increase is primarily the result of:

$6.57.7 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired.acquired; and

     This

$1.2 million increase wasin depreciation for capitalized aircraft improvements.

These increases were offset partially by:

a $1.5$3.6 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sold.

35


Interest, netconsisted of the following:
         
  Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities $40,144  $42,066 
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses  764   (118)
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses(1)
  2,338   5,717 
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount(2)
  5,734   2,977 
       
Interest Expense  48,980   50,642 
Less interest income  (207)  (95)
Less capitalized interest  (1,320)  (1,675)
       
Interest, net $47,453  $48,872 
       
(1)For the three months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $1,704 related to an aircraft sold in September 2011.
(2)For the three months ended September 30, 2010, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2,471 related to the pay-off of a term financing loan and a secured credit facility.

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities

  $41,278   $44,969  

Hedge ineffectiveness gains

   (475  (1,519

Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses

   2,835    4,071  

Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount

   3,528    2,716  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Interest Expense

   47,166    50,237  

Less interest income

   (161  (171

Less capitalized interest

   (1,386  (1,085
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Interest, net

  $45,619   $48,981  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Interest, net increased by $1.4$3.4 million, or 3.0%,7.4 %, over the three months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. The net increase is primarily a result of:

a $3.7 million increase in interest expense on our borrowings primarily due to a higher weighted average debt balance ($2.95 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $2.71 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011); and

a $1.9 million increase in interest on our borrowings due to higher weighted average debt outstanding ($2.79 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $2.60 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2010); and
a $3.4 million increase in the amortization of deferred losses including $1.7 million of accelerated amortization resulting from the sale of one Airbus A330 aircraft.

a $1.2 million increase in the amortization of deferred losses.

These increases were offset partially by:

These increases were offset partially by:

a $1.0 million decrease resulting from changes in measured hedge ineffectiveness due primarily to changes in our debt forecast.

a $2.8 million decrease in amortization of deferred financing fees primarily due to the repayment of two of our loan facilities in the prior year;
a $0.9 million decrease resulting from changes in measured hedge ineffectiveness due to changes in our debt forecast; and
a $0.4 million increase in capitalized interest.

Selling, general and administrative expensesfor the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2012 increased slightly over the same period in 2011. Non-cash share based expense was $1.9 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased by $0.9and 2012, respectively.

Maintenance and other costs were $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, a decrease of $0.8 million over the same period in 20102011. The net decrease is primarily due to increased professional fees. Non-cash share based expense was $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Impairment of aircraftwas $7.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010 which related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these two aircraft.
     Impairment of aircraft was $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 which related to a Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft which we had repossessed following termination of the lease agreement in the second quarter of 2011. The additional impairment for this aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2011 was triggered by our decision to sell the aircraft, whereupon we adjusted the net book value of the aircraft to its estimated disposition value. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for this aircraft.

36


Maintenance and other costsof $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased $2.9 million over the same period in 2010 as a result of an increasedecrease in aircraft maintenance and other transitions costs primarily relating to unscheduled lease terminations for four aircraft returned to us in the first quarter of 2011 and one aircraft returned to us in the second quarter of 2011.

Other income (expense):

Total other income for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 was $8.9 million$83 thousand as compared to $0.5$9.3 million of expense for the same period in 2010.2011. The increasedecrease is primarily a result of a $9.0$9.5 million increase indecrease due to the gain on the sale of aircraft.

aircraft recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2012.

Income Tax Provision:Provision

Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 20112012 was $0.2$3.3 million and $1.2$2.9 million, respectively. Income taxes have been provided based on the applicable tax laws and rates of those countries in

which operations are conducted and income is earned, primarily Ireland and the United States. The increasedecrease in our income tax provision of approximately $1.1$0.3 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 20102011 was attributable to an increasea decrease in operating income subject to tax in the U.S. and Ireland.

All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes, unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. We also have a U.S.-based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.

The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. This date was recently extended by the Government of Bermuda from March 2016. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.

Other comprehensive incomeincome:

         
  Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Net income $8,569  $22,665 
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $52 and tax expense of $48, respectively  (7,716)  (2,967)
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings  2,338   5,717 
       
Total comprehensive income (loss) $3,191  $25,415 
       

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011   2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Net income

  $42,677    $32,602  

Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $400 and $289, respectively

   23,468     16,483  

Derivative loss reclassified into earnings

   2,835     4,071  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

  $68,980    $53,156  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income was $25.4$53.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, an increaseMarch 31, 2012, a decrease of $22.2$15.8 million from the $3.2$69.0 million of other comprehensive lossincome for the three months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. Other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 primarily consisted of:

$22.7 million of net income;
a $3.0 million loss from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to a downward shift in the 1 Month LIBOR forward curve offset by net settlements for the three months ended September 30, 2011; and

$32.6 million of net income;

37

$16.5 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 partially offset by a slight downward shift in the one-month LIBOR forward curve; and


$5.74.1 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

Other comprehensive income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily consisted of:

$8.6 million of net income;
$7.7 million loss from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes due primarily to a downward shift in the 1 Month LIBOR forward curve offset by net settlements for the three months ended September 30, 2010; and
$2.3 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to the nine months ended September 30, 2011:
         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Revenues:        
Lease rental revenue $391,741  $430,361 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  (13,957)  (10,841)
Maintenance revenue  14,630   25,006 
       
Total lease rentals  392,414   444,526 
Other revenue  578   3,733 
       
Total revenues  392,992   448,259 
       
         
Expenses:        
Depreciation  164,272   178,299 
Interest, net  128,578   150,384 
Selling, general and administrative  34,043   36,309 
Impairment of aircraft  7,342   6,436 
Maintenance and other costs  6,829   10,944 
       
Total operating expenses  341,064   382,372 
       
         
Other income (expense):        
Gain (loss) on sale of flight equipment  (1,291)  28,958 
Other income (expense)  (1,047)  (153)
       
Total other income (expense)  (2,338)  28,805 
       
         
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  49,590   94,692 
Income tax provision  4,003   6,041 
       
Net income $45,587  $88,651 
       
Revenues:
     Total revenues increased by 14.1%, or $55.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily as a result of the following:
Lease rental revenue. The increase in lease rental revenue of $38.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily the result of:
$65.7 million of revenue from five new aircraft and two mid-aged aircraft purchased in 2011, and the full nine months of revenue of two new aircraft and nine mid-aged aircraft purchased in 2010.
     This increase was offset partially by a decrease in revenue of:
$13.3 million due to aircraft sales and disposals;

38


$8.6 million from the effect of lease terminations; and
$5.2 million due to lease extensions and transitions at lower rentals.
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives.
         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Amortization of lease discounts $1,851  $1,806 
Amortization of lease premiums  (290)  (799)
Amortization of lease incentives  (15,518)  (11,848)
       
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives $(13,957) $(10,841)
       
     As more fully described above under “Revenues”, lease incentives represent our estimated portion of the lessee’s cost for heavy maintenance, overhaul or replacement of certain high-value components which is amortized over the life of the related lease. As we enter into new leases, the amortization of lease incentives generally increases and conversely if a related lease terminates, the related unused lease incentive liability will reduce the amortization of lease incentives. The decrease in amortization of lease incentives of $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 primarily resulted from unscheduled lease terminations associated with six aircraft.
Maintenance revenue.
                 
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  Dollars      Dollars    
  (in thousands)  Number of Leases  (in thousands)  Number of Leases 
Unscheduled lease terminations $3,039   1  $15,257   6 
Scheduled lease terminations  11,591   3   9,749   5 
             
Maintenance revenue $14,630   4  $25,006   11 
             
     Unscheduled lease terminations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded maintenance revenue of $1.8 million from unscheduled lease terminations primarily associated with one aircraft returned in 2010. Comparatively, for the same period in 2011, we recorded maintenance revenue totaling $15.3 million from unscheduled lease terminations primarily associated with six aircraft returned in 2011. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charges for certain aircraft.
     Scheduled lease terminations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded maintenance revenue from scheduled lease terminations totaling $11.6 million associated with three aircraft. Comparatively, for the same period in 2011, we recorded $9.7 million, primarily associated with maintenance revenue from five scheduled lease terminations.
Other revenuewas $3.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which was primarily due to additional fees paid by lessees in connection with early termination of four leases. We did not receive any similar fees from early lease terminations in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charges for certain aircraft.
Operating Expenses:
     Total operating expenses increased by 12.1%, or $41.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily as a result of the following:
Depreciation expenseincreased by $14.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 over the same period in 2010. The net increase is primarily the result of:

39


$18.0 million increase in depreciation for aircraft acquired.
     This increase was offset partially by:
a $3.6 million decrease in depreciation for aircraft sold.
Interest, netconsisted of the following:
         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities(1)
 $111,090  $129,757 
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses  2,533   (716)
Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses(2)
  6,412   13,943 
Amortization of deferred financing fees and notes discount(3)
  11,494   12,394 
       
Interest Expense  131,529   155,378 
Less interest income  (247)  (355)
Less capitalized interest  (2,704)  (4,639)
       
Interest, net $128,578  $150,384 
       
(1)For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes the loan termination fee of $3,196 related to an aircraft sold in June 2011.
(2)For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $3,543 related to two aircraft sold in 2011.
(3)For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2,471 related to the pay-off of a term financing loan and a secured credit facility. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2,456 related to an aircraft sold in June 2011.
     Interest, net increased by $21.8 million, or 17.0%, over the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The net increase is primarily a result of:
a $15.5 million increase in interest on our borrowings due to higher weighted average debt outstanding ($2.76 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $2.48 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010);
a $3.2 million loan break fee in connection with the repayment of one of our ECA loans in the second quarter of 2011;
a $7.5 million increase in the amortization of deferred losses, including $3.5 million of accelerated amortization resulting from the sale of two Airbus A330 aircraft; and
a $0.9 million increase in amortization of deferred financing fees primarily due to the addition of our ECA, PDP and unsecured debt financings.
These increases were offset partially by:
a $3.2 million decrease resulting from changes in measured hedge ineffectiveness due to changes in our debt forecast; and
a $1.9 million increase in capitalized interest.
Selling, general and administrative expensesfor the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased by $2.3 million over the same period in 2010 primarily due to increased professional fees and compensation. Non-cash share

40


based expense was $5.2 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Impairment of aircraftwas $7.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 which related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for these two aircraft.
     Impairment of aircraft was $6.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 which related to a Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft which we repossessed following termination of the lease agreement in the second quarter of 2011. See “Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment” below for a detailed discussion of the related impairment charge for this aircraft.
Maintenance and other costswere $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $4.1 million over the same period in 2010. The net increase is primarily an increase in aircraft maintenance and other transitions costs relating to unscheduled lease terminations for four aircraft returned to us in the first quarter of 2011 and one aircraft returned during the second quarter of 2011.
Other income (expense):
     Total other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $28.8 million as compared to $2.3 million of expense for the same period in 2010. The increase is primarily a result of a $30.2 million increase in the gain on sale of aircraft.
Income Tax Provision:
     Our provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011 was $4.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively. Income taxes have been provided based on the applicable tax laws and rates of those countries in which operations are conducted and income is earned, primarily Ireland and the United States. The increase in our income tax provision of approximately $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010 was attributable to an increase in operating income subject to tax in the U.S. and Ireland.
     All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes, unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. We also have a U.S.-based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. In addition, those subsidiaries that are resident in Ireland are subject to Irish tax.
     The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. This date was recently extended by the Government of Bermuda from March 2016. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.
Other comprehensive income
         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Net income $45,587  $88,651 
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit of $332 and tax expense of $576, respectively  (37,541)  21,079 
Derivative loss reclassified into earnings  6,412   13,943 
       
Total comprehensive income $14,458  $123,673 
       

41


     Other comprehensive income was $123.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $109.2 million from the $14.5 million of other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30,31, 2011 primarily consisted of:

$42.7 million of net income;

$88.7 million of net income;
$21.1 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 partially offset by a downward shift in the 1 Month LIBOR forward curve; and
$13.9

$23.5 million gain from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes which is due primarily to net settlements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 combined with a relatively flat LIBOR curve; and

$2.8 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the amount of deferred net loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $4,071. The amount of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

     Other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily consisted of:
$45.6 million of net income;
$37.5 million loss from a change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of taxes due primarily to a downward shift in the 1 Month LIBOR forward curve offset by net settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2010; and
$6.4 million of amortization of deferred net losses reclassified into earnings related to terminated interest rate derivatives.
     The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive incomeOCI into interest expense over the next 12 months consists of net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives in the amount of $70.2 million and the amortization of deferred net losses fromrelated to our terminated interest rate derivatives in the amount of $18.1 million.is $34,538. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Hedging” below for more information on deferred net losses as related to terminated interest rate derivatives.

Summary of Impairments and Recoverability Assessment

     In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized an impairment of $7.3 million related to one Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft and one Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft, which was triggered by the early termination of one of the related leases, a signed forward sales agreement for the other aircraft and the resulting change to estimated future cash flows. The Company recorded $4.4 million related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessee at the end of that lease of the Boeing Model 737-500 aircraft during the three months ended

At March 31, 2010 and $1.8 million related to maintenance revenue from the previous lessee of the Boeing Model 737-300 aircraft during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

     In the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recognized an impairment of $5.2 million related to a Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft which we repossessed following termination of the lease agreement in the second quarter of 2011. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded an additional $1.2 million impairment for this Boeing Model 737-400 aircraft triggered by our decision to sell the aircraft, whereupon we adjusted the net book value of the aircraft to its estimated disposition value. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded $2.3 million related to maintenance revenue and reversed $0.9 million of lease incentive accruals related to the terminated lease of this aircraft.
     As more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, we perform a recoverability assessment of all aircraft in our fleet, on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis, at least annually. We performed this recoverability assessment during the third quarter of 2011. Management develops the assumptions used in the recoverability assessment based on its knowledge of active lease contracts, current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are impacted by changes in future periods due to changes in contracted lease rates, residual values, economic conditions, technology, airline demand for a particular aircraft type and other factors. While we believe that

42


the estimates and related assumptions used in the recoverability assessment are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Other than the aircraft discussed above, management believes that the net book value of each aircraft is currently supported by the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that aircraft, and accordingly, no other aircraft were impaired as a consequence of this recoverability assessment.
     Following our recently completed aircraft recoverability assessment, we changed our economic life assumptions or residual values, or both, for certain aircraft types to reflect changes in market conditions. More specifically, for Airbus A319 aircraft we shortened our economic useful life assumption from 25 years to 22.5 years resulting from what we believe to be a long-term reduction in demand for this lower-capacity variant of the A320 family of aircraft. For “classic” and less fuel efficient narrow-body aircraft consisting of Boeing Model 737-300 and -400 aircraft as well as Airbus A320-200 aircraft with previous generation engines, we reduced our end of life residual value assumptions to reflect weaker market demand and lease rate conditions. As a result of these changes to our estimates, we expect our future annual depreciation expense for the aircraft noted above will be $3.3 million higher in total than our previous estimates.
     At September 30, 20112012, we had a total of 2627 aircraft including those aircraft mentioned in the preceding paragraph, with a total net book value of $388$382.0 million (accounting for 9.2%8.7% of the total net book value of our flight equipment held for lease), that we consider more susceptible to failing our recoverability assessment. The recoverability in the value of these aircraft is more sensitive to changes in contractual cash flows, future cash flow estimates and aircraft residual or scrap.scrap values. These aircraft fall primarily into a few categories as shown in the table below:
         
      Percent of Net Book 
Aircraft Type Number of Aircraft  Value 
A319-100  4   1.8%
A320-200/B737-300/B737-400  12   2.4%
B767-300ER  8   4.0%
Other (B757-200/MD-11F)  2   1.0%
     While rental rates on Boeing Model 767-300ER aircraft have remained firm over the past year and we see continued demand for this aircraft type for many years, we also anticipate a greater probability that lease rates will soften in time as a result of the continuing success of the Airbus A330 program and as production of the Boeing 787 production eventually ramps up. As such, we believe demand for these aircraft will become more sensitive to changes in economic conditions.

Aircraft Type

  Number of Aircraft  Percent of Net
Book Value
 

A319-100

  5   2.1

A320-200/737-300/737-400

  12   2.2

767-300ER

  8   3.5

Other (757-200/MD-11F)

  2   0.9

RECENT UNADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”),Leases. Under the Lease ED, a lessor would be required to adopt a right-of-use model where the lessor would apply one of two approaches to each lease based on whether the lessor retains exposure to significant risks or benefits associated with the underlying asset. In July 2011, the FASB tentatively decided on a new model for lessor accounting that would require a single approach for all leases, with a few exceptions. Under the new model, a lease receivable would be recognized for the lessor’s right to receive lease payments, a portion of the carrying amount of the underlying asset would be allocated between the right of use granted to the lessee and the lessor’s residual value and profit or loss would only be recognized at commencement if it is reasonably assured. Even though the FASB has not completed all of its deliberations, the decisions made to date were sufficiently different from those published in the Lease ED issued in August 2010. As a result, the FASB decided to warrant re-exposure ofre-expose the revised proposal. The FASB intends to complete its deliberations and publish a revised proposed leases standard duringED in the firstsecond half of 2012. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2016. When and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it may have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Although we believe the presentation of our financial statements, and those of our lessees could change, we do not believe the accounting pronouncement will change the fundamental economic reasons for which the airlines lease aircraft. Therefore, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our business.

43


     In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04 (“ASU 2011-04”),Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, to improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update change the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements which include (1) those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and (2) those that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurement. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-05”),Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which gives the option to present the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive net income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In either option, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. If a two statement approach is used, the statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income. This update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. It also requires the presentation on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In October 2011, the FASB decided to propose a deferral of the new requirement and issue an exposure draft on the decision. The deferral allows the FASB time to further research the matter, including a proposed requirement to disclose in the notes to the financial statements amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income. The deferral, if finalized, would not change the other requirements stated above. The deferral would be effective at the same time that the new standard on comprehensive is adopted. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity currently are cash on hand, cash generated by our aircraft leasing operations, and loans secured by new aircraft we acquire and unsecured borrowings. Our business is very capital intensive, requiring significant investments in order to expand our fleet during periods of growth and investments in maintenance and improvements on our existing portfolio. Our business also generates a significant amount of cash from operations, primarily from lease rentals and maintenance collections. These sources have historically provided liquidity for these investments and for other uses, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders. In the past, we have also met our liquidity and capital resource needs by utilizing several sources, including:

lines of credit, our securitizations, term financings, secured borrowings supported by export credit agencies for new aircraft acquisitions and bank financings secured by aircraft purchases;

lines of credit, our securitizations, term financings, secured borrowings supported by export credit agencies for new aircraft acquisitions and bank financings secured by aircraft purchases;
unsecured indebtedness, including an unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured senior notes;
public offerings of common shares; and
asset sales.

unsecured indebtedness, including an unsecured revolving credit facility and unsecured senior notes;

public offerings of common shares; and

asset sales.

Going forward, we expect to continue to seek liquidity from these sources subject to pricing and conditions that we consider satisfactory.

44

In addition, we have a $50.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which has a three-year term scheduled to expire in September 2013; we have not yet drawn down on this facility.


In April 2012, we closed an offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020. Both the Senior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020 were priced at par. We have multiple sourcesused the net proceeds of financing availablethe private placement to us including:
a $50.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which has a three-year term scheduled to expire in September 2013; we have not yet drawn down on this facility.
Bank financing secured by purchased or owned aircraft, such as a $90.0 million term loan we drew down in connection with our October 2011 purchase of a 2009 vintage Model 777-300ER aircraft on lease to Cathay Pacific Airlines.
     Under the terms of Securitizationrepay outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1 effective June 15, 2011, all cash flows available after expenses and the termination of the associated interest will be applied to debt amortization. We expect that debt amortization payments overrate derivatives, and for general corporate purposes, including the next twelve months will be approximately $37.9 million dollars, compared to debt amortization payments, excluding debt repayments from asset salespurchase of $24.8 million made over the last twelve months.
aviation assets.

Under the terms of Securitization No. 2, effective June 8, 2012 all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization. We expect that debt amortization payments, excluding repayments from asset sales, over the next twelve months will be approximately $73.7$108.6 million, excluding debt repayments from asset sales of $1.8 million, compared to $41.6$41.1 million, excluding debt repayments from asset sales of $36.0 million, made over the last twelve months.months ended March 31, 2012. Further, for this financing, we recently entered into a forward starting interest rate swapderivative arrangement to hedge approximately 75% of the expected future debt balance beginning in June 2012 at an average swap rate of 1.27%, which is approximately 400 basis points lower than the existing swapinterest rate derivative which expires in June 2012.

     Our asset base unencumbered by financings has grown to $574.0 million in net book value as of September 30, 2011. We believe the cash flow contribution for this asset base, together with the cash flow contribution from our delivered New A330 Aircraft and from Term Financing No. 1, will provide sufficient amounts of cash flow to meet our liquidity needs and near term growth objectives.

While the financing structures for our securitizations and certain of our term financings include liquidity facilities, these liquidity facilities are primarily designed to provide short-term liquidity to enable the financing vehicles to remain current on principal and interest payments during periods when the relevant entities incur substantial unanticipated expenditures. Because these facilities have priority in the payment waterfall and therefore must be repaid quickly, and because we do not anticipate being required to draw on these facilities to cover operating expenses, we do not view these liquidity facilities as an important source of liquidity for us.

As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in our financings.

     In March 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $60.0 million of the Company’s common shares. In June 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program by up to an additional $30.0 million in its common shares, for a total of up to $90.0 million of its common shares in the aggregate. Under the program, the Company may purchase its common shares from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors including the price and availability of the Company’s common shares, trading volume and general market conditions. The Company may also from time to time establish a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act to facilitate purchases of its common shares under this authorization. Through September 30, 2011, we repurchased approximately 7.6 million shares at a total cost of $90.0 million including commissions, completing the share purchases to the authorized amounts.
     In addition, as of September 30, 2011, we expect capital expenditures and lessee maintenance payment draws on our aircraft portfolio during 2011 to be approximately $130.0 million to $140.0 million, excluding purchase obligation payments, and we expect maintenance collections from lessees on our owned aircraft portfolio to be approximately equal to the expected expenditures and draws over the next twelve months. There can be no assurance that the capital

45


expenditures, our contributions to maintenance events and lessee maintenance payment draws described above will not be greater than expected or that our expected maintenance payment collections or disbursements will equal our current estimates.
We believe that cash on hand, funds generated from operations, maintenance payments received from lessees, and proceeds from any future contracted aircraft sales and funds we expect to borrow upon delivery of the New A330 Aircraft we acquire in future periods, including borrowings under export credit agency-supported loan facilities, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital resource needs over the next twelve months. Our liquidity and capital resource needs include pre-delivery payments under the Airbus A330 Agreement, payments for buyer furnished equipment, payments due at delivery of the New A330 Aircraft, payments due under our other aircraft purchase commitments, required principal and interest payments under our long-term debt facilities, as well as repayments under our A330 PDP Facility, expected capital expenditures, lessee maintenance payment draws and lease incentive payments over the next twelve months.

In April 2012, we repaid the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1. Repayment of our Term Financing No. 1 unencumbered 27 aircraft with a net book value of approximately $962.7 million. In addition, our lease rental exit run rate for unencumbered aircraft would be $238 million, and the ratio of our unencumbered assets to unsecured debt would be 173%. We believe the cash flow contribution for this asset base, together with the cash flow contribution from our delivered New A330 Aircraft, will provide sufficient amounts of cash flow to meet our liquidity needs and near-term growth objectives.

Cash Flows

         
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands) 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities $268,717  $244,617 
Net cash flow used in investing activities  (320,635)  (187,848)
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities  220,133   (30,472)

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

  $63,507   $72,966  

Net cash flow used in investing activities

   (71,840  (70,371

Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities

   8,651    (41,447

Operating Activities:

Cash flow from operations was $268.7$63.5 million and $244.6$73.0 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, respectively. The decreaseincrease in cash flow from operations of approximately $24.1$9.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 versus the same period in 20102011 was primarily a result of:

a $31.8

$15.7 million increase in cash from lease rentals.

This increase was offset partially by:

an $8.3 million increase in cash paid for interest.

This increase was offset by:
a $33.1 million decrease in cash from other working capital; and
a $27.0 million increase in cash paid for interest.

Investing Activities:

Cash used in investing activities was $320.6$71.8 million and $187.8$70.4 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, respectively. The decrease in cash flow used in investing activities of $132.8$1.5 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 versus the same period in 20102011, was primarily a result of:

a $179.0$62.0 million increasedecrease in the acquisition and improvement of flight equipment.

This increase was offset by:
a $283.7 million increase in proceeds from the sale of flight equipment; and
$28.1 million of lower purchase deposits and progress payments under our Airbus A330 agreement.
equipment;

46

a $35.8 million increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents related to sale of flight equipment; and

a $20.1 million decrease in aircraft purchase deposits under our Airbus A330 Agreement.

These decreases were offset partially by:


$72.7 million in lower proceeds from the sale of flight equipment; and

$43.6 million for the purchase of a debt investment in 2012.

Financing Activities:

Cash provided by financing activities was $220.1$8.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to a net use of cash used of $30.5$41.4 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012. The net increase in cash flow used in financing activities of $250.6$50.1 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 versus the same period in 20102011 was a result of:

$157.2 million of lower proceeds from term debt financings;

$89.7 million of increased repurchases of our common shares;
$83.8

$2.9 million of higher dividend payments; and

$1.2 million of lower proceeds from term debt financings;

$60.1 million of higher financing repayments on our securitizations and term debt financings;
$25.9 million of lower maintenance payments received net of maintenance payments returned; and
$6.2 million in additional deferred financing costs.
The outflows were offset partially by:
$12.9 million of higher security deposits received net of security deposits returned.

The outflows were offset partially by:

$53.1 million of lower financing repayments on our securitizations and term debt financings;

$25.0 million of higher restricted cash and cash equivalents related to security deposits and maintenance payments;

$14.9 million lower repurchases of our common shares;

$11.1 million of higher maintenance deposits received net of maintenance deposits returned; and

$7.1 million in lower deferred financing costs.

Debt Obligations

The following table provides a summary of our secured and unsecured debt financings at September 30, 2011:March 31, 2012:

Debt Obligation

  

Collateral

  Outstanding
Borrowing
   Number
of

Aircraft
   Interest
Rate(1)
  Final
Stated
Maturity(2)
   (Dollars in thousands)

Secured Debt Financings:

          

Securitization No. 1

  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests  $374,073     32    0.51%  06/20/31

Securitization No. 2

  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests   866,428     46    0.50%  06/14/37

Term Financing No. 1(3)

  Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests   583,138     27    2.00%  05/02/15

ECA Term Financings

  Interests in aircraft, aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests   526,150     8    2.65%
to
3.96%
  12/03/21
to
07/13/23

Bank Financings

  Interests in aircraft, aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning/leasing entities and related interests   122,712     3    4.22%
to
4.57%
  09/15/15
to
10/26/17
    

 

 

       

Total secured debt financings

     2,472,501        
    

 

 

       

Unsecured Debt Financings:

          

Senior Notes due 2018

  None   450,729     —      9.75%  08/01/18

2010 Revolving Credit Facility

  None   —       —      N/A  09/28/13
    

 

 

       

Total unsecured debt financings

     450,729        
    

 

 

       

Total secured and unsecured debt financings

    $2,923,230        
    

 

 

       
                 
                Final
    Outstanding Number of Interest Stated
Debt Obligation Collateral Borrowing Aircraft Rate(1) Maturity(2)
(Dollars in thousands)
Secured Debt Financings:                
Securitization No. 1 Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests $395,665   33   0.50% 06/20/31
                 
Securitization No. 2 Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests  916,457   49   0.49% 06/14/37
                 
Term Financing No. 1 Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft owning entities and related interests  607,014   27   1.98% 05/02/15
                 
ECA Term Financings Interests in aircraft leases, beneficial interests in aircraft leasing entities and related interests  545,981   8  2.65%
to 3.96%
 12/31/21 to 07/13/23
                 
A330 PDP Facility Interests in Airbus A330 Agreement and aircraft leases  18,083       2.70% 12/01/11(3)
                 
                 
Total secured debt financings    2,483,200           
                 
                 
Unsecured Debt Financings:                
Senior Notes due 2018 None  296,529      9.75% 08/01/18
                 
2010 Revolving Credit Facility None        N/A  09/28/13
                 
Total unsecured debt financings    296,529           
                 
                 
Total secured and unsecured debt financings   $2,779,729           
                 

(1)Reflects floating rate in effect at the most recent applicable reset date plus the margin, except for the ECA Term Financings, Bank Financings and the 2010-1Senior Notes due 2018, which are fixed rate.
 
(2)Effective June 2011 for Securitization No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest is applied to debt amortization. For Securitization No. 2 and Term Financing No. 1, all cash flows available after expenses and interest will be applied to debt amortization, if the debt is not refinanced by June 2012 and May 2013, respectively.
 
(3)Reflects the last scheduled delivery month for the six relevant new Airbus A330-200 delivery positions. The final maturity date is the earlierIn April 2012, we used a portion of the aircraft delivery date or nine months afternet proceeds of the scheduled delivery month for the last scheduled delivery position.private placement of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020 to pay off Term Financing No. 1.

47


The following securitizations and term debt financing structures include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:
                     
      Available Liquidity       
      December 31,  September 30,  Unused  Interest Rate 
Facility  Liquidity Facility Provider 2010  2011  Fee  on any Advances 
      (Dollars in thousands)         
 Securitization No. 1 
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(1)
 $42,000  $42,000   0.45% 1M Libor + 1.00%
 Securitization No. 2 
HSH Nordbank AG(2)
  74,828   68,734   0.50% 1M Libor + 0.75%
 Term Financing No. 1 
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(3)
  12,864   12,140   0.60% 1M Libor + 1.20%

     Available Liquidity        

Facility

 

Liquidity Facility Provider

  December 31,
2011
   March 31,
2012
   Unused
Fee
  Interest Rate
on any  Advances
 
     (Dollars in thousands)        

Securitization No. 1

 

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

   $42,000     $42,000     0.45  1M Libor + 1.00

Securitization No. 2

 

HSH Nordbank AG

   66,859     65,000     0.50  1M Libor + 0.75

Term Financing No. 1

 

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank(1)

   11,902     11,663     0.60  1M Libor + 1.20

(1)Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility providerFacility was terminated in June 2011, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
(2)Following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider in May 2009, the liquidity facility was drawn and the proceeds, or permitted investments thereof, remain available to provide liquidity if required. Amounts drawn following a ratings downgrade with respect to the liquidity facility provider do not bear interest; however, net investment earnings will be paid to the liquidity facility provider and the unused fee continues to apply.
(3)There is no ratings threshold for the liquidity facility provider underApril 2012 upon repayment of Term Financing No. 1 and, accordingly, the ratings change referred to in footnote (1) above did not trigger a liquidity facility drawing in relation to Term Financing No. 1.— (See Unsecured Debt Financings below).
Secured

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Term Financing No. 1Senior Notes due 2017 and Senior Notes due 2020

In March 2011,April 2012, we completedclosed an offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020. Both the annual maintenance-adjusted appraisal forSenior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020 were priced at par. We used the net proceeds of the private placement to repay outstanding indebtedness under our Term Financing No. 1 Portfolio and we have determined that we are in compliance with the loan to value ratio on the October 2011 payment date.

ECA Term Financings
     During 2011, we entered into five twelve-year term loans which are supported by guarantees from COFACE for the financing of three new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft totaling $359.4 million and we repaid in full the outstanding principal balance on one of our ECA term financings in the amount of $61.6 million.
     The obligations outstanding under the ECA Term Financings are secured by, among other things, a mortgage over the aircraft and a pledge of our ownership interest in our subsidiary company that leases the aircraft to the operator. The ECA Term Financings documents contain a $500.0 million minimum net worth covenant for Aircastle Limited, as well as a material adverse change default and cross default to any other recourse obligation of Aircastle Limited, and other terms and conditions customary for ECA-supported financings being completed at this time. In addition, Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repaymenttermination of the ECA Term Financings.
associated interest rate derivative, and for general corporate purposes, including the purchase of aviation assets.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on variable and fixed rate liabilities, interest payments on interest rate derivatives, purchase obligations under the Airbus A330 Agreement, other aircraft acquisition

48


and conversion agreements and rent payments pursuant to our office leases. Total contractual obligations decreasedincreased from $3.82$3.75 billion at December 31, 20102011 to approximately $3.6$3.90 billion at September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 due primarily to:

an increase in borrowings as a result of a commitment on an ECA loan for the purchase of a New A330 aircraft purchased on April 5, 2012;

principal and interest payments made under our securitizations, term financings and our A330 PDP Facility; and
lower variable interest rates and payments made under our purchase obligations.

an increase in purchase obligations for the purchase of aircraft; and

an increase in the commitment for office leases as a result of a ten-year lease extension for the office space in Stamford, Connecticut signed in January 2012.

These decreasesincreases were partially offset by:

an increase in borrowings

principal and interest payments made under our securitizations, term financings and our ECA Term Financings.term financings.

The following table presents our actual contractual obligations and their payment due dates as of September 30, 2011.

                     
  Payments Due By Period as of September 30, 2011 
      Less than          More than 
Contractual Obligations Total  1 year  1-3 years  3-5 years  5 years 
      (Dollars in thousands)     
Principal payments:                    
2010-1 Notes(1)
 $300,000  $  $  $  $300,000 
Securitization No. 1(2)
  395,665   37,923   118,706   130,078   108,958 
Securitization No. 2(3)
  916,457   80,951   311,100   293,489   230,917 
Term Financing No. 1(4)
  607,014   47,750   151,445   407,819    
ECA Term Financings(5)
  545,981   39,983   84,114   89,949   331,935 
A330 PDP Facility(6)
  18,083   18,083          
                
Total principal payments  2,783,200   224,690   665,365   921,335   971,810 
                
                     
Interest payments:                    
Interest payments on debt obligations(7)
  379,026   65,655   120,221   94,747   98,403 
Interest payments on interest rate derivatives(8)
  198,389   78,176   78,915   40,177   1,121 
                
Total interest payments  577,415   143,831   199,136   134,924   99,524 
                
                     
Office leases(9)
  1,663   1,046   435   182    
Purchase obligations(10)
  275,268   275,268          
                
Total $3,637,546  $644,835  $864,936  $1,056,441  $1,071,334 
                
March 31, 2012.

   Payments Due By Period as of March 31, 2012

Contractual Obligations

  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  3-5 years  More than
5 years
   (Dollars in thousands)

Principal payments:

               

Senior Notes due 2018

   $450,000    $—      $—      $—      $450,000 

Securitization No. 1(1)

    374,073     57,984     114,005     132,522     69,562 

Securitization No. 2(2)

    866,428     110,411     283,558     275,283     197,176 

Term Financing No. 1(3)

    583,138     47,750     166,214     369,174     —   

ECA Term Financings(4)

    603,250     44,525     96,383     103,172     359,170 

Bank Financings(5)

    122,712     13,337     27,631     26,744     55,000 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total principal payments

    2,999,601     274,007     687,791     906,895     1,130,908 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest payments:

               

Interest payments on debt obligations(6)

    482,324     86,087     159,215     127,886     109,136 

Interest payments on interest rate derivatives(7)

    152,862     54,740     72,873     24,935     314 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest payments

    635,186     140,827     232,088     152,821     109,450 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Office leases(8)

    8,510     885     1,607     1,569     4,449 

Purchase obligations(9)

    256,049     256,049     —       —       —   
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $3,899,346    $671,768    $921,486    $1,061,285    $1,244,807 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1)Includes scheduled balloon payment on August 1, 2018.
(2)Effective June 2011, estimatedEstimated principal payments for this non-recourse financing are based on excess cash flows available from forecasted lease rentals, net maintenance funding and proceeds from asset disposition after the payment of forecasted operating expenses and interest payments, including interest payments on existing swapinterest rate derivative agreements and policy provider fees.
 
(3)(2)For this non-recourse financing, includes principal payments based on amortization schedules so that the loan to assumed aircraft values are held constant through the June 2012 payment date; thereafter, estimated principal payments for this financing are based on excess cash flows available from forecasted lease rentals, net maintenance funding and proceeds from asset disposition after the payment of forecasted operating expenses and interest payments, including interest payments on existing swapinterest rate derivative agreements and policy provider fees. Payments due in less than one year include repayments of $7.3$1.9 million related to contracted sales of one aircraft.aircraft in 2012.
 
(4)(3)Includes scheduled principal payments through May 2013, after which all excess cash flow is required to reduce the principal balances of the indebtedness until maturity in May 2015. In April 2012, we used a portion of the net proceeds of the private placement of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2017 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2020 to pay off Term Financing No. 1.
 
(5)(4)Includes scheduled principal payments based upon fixed rate, 12 year, fully-12-year, fully amortizing loans.loans, including one New A330 Aircraft we acquired on April 5, 2012.
 
(6)(5)Includes principal payments based upon the scheduled delivery of aircraft. The final maturity date is the earlier of the delivery date or nine months after the scheduled delivery date.individual loan amortization schedules.
 
(7)(6)Future interest payments on variable rate, LIBOR-based debt obligations are estimated using the interest rate in effect at September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012.
 
(8)(7)Future interest payments on derivative financial instruments are estimated using the spread between the floating interest rates and the fixed interest rates in effect at September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012.
 
(9)(8)Represents contractual payment obligations for our office leases in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
 
(10)(9)At September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, we had aircraft purchase agreements and freighter conversion agreements, including the acquisition of twoone New A330 Aircraft from Airbus.

49


The following table presents our contractual obligations and their payment due dates as of March 31, 2012 pro-forma for the issuance of our $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 and $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2020, the repayment of our outstanding indebtedness under Term Financing No. 1 in April 2012 and the termination of the associated interest rate derivative on April 5, 2012.

   Payments Due By Period as of March 31, 2012

Contractual Obligations

  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  3-5 years  More than
5 years
   (Dollars in thousands)

Principal payments:

               

Senior Notes due 2017

   $500,000    $—      $—      $—      $500,000 

Senior Notes due 2018

    450,000     —       —       —       450,000 

Senior Notes due 2020

    300,000     —       —       —       300,000 

Securitization No. 1(1)

    374,073     57,984     114,005     132,522     69,562 

Securitization No. 2(2)

    866,428     110,411     283,558     275,283     197,176 

ECA Term Financings(3)

    603,250     44,525     96,383     103,172     359,170 

Bank Financings(4)

    122,712     13,337     27,631     26,744     55,000 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total principal payments

    3,216,463     226,257     521,577     537,721     1,930,908 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest payments:

               

Interest payments on debt obligations(5)

    802,350     102,544     253,834     239,898     206,074 

Interest payments on interest rate derivatives(6)

    100,033     35,177     41,525     23,017     314 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest payments

    902,383     137,721     295,359     262,915     206,388 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Office leases(7)

    8,510     885     1,607     1,569     4,449 

Purchase obligations(8)

    256,049     256,049     —       —       —   
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $4,383,405    $620,912    $818,543    $802,205    $2,141,745 
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1)Estimated principal payments for this non-recourse financing are based on excess cash flows available from forecasted lease rentals, net maintenance funding and proceeds from asset disposition after the payment of forecasted operating expenses and interest payments, including interest payments on existing interest rate derivative agreements and policy provider fees.
(2)For this non-recourse financing, includes principal payments based on amortization schedules so that the loan to assumed aircraft values are held constant through the June 2012 payment date; thereafter, estimated principal payments for this financing are based on excess cash flows available from forecasted lease rentals, net maintenance funding and proceeds from asset disposition after the payment of forecasted operating expenses and interest payments, including interest payments on existing interest rate derivative agreements and policy provider fees. Payments due in less than one year include repayments of $1.9 million related to contracted sales of one aircraft in 2012.
(3)Includes scheduled principal payments based upon fixed rate, 12-year, fully amortizing loans, including one aircraft we acquired on April 5, 2012.
(4)Includes principal payments based upon individual loan amortization schedules.
(5)Future interest payments on variable rate, LIBOR-based debt obligations are estimated using the interest rate in effect at March 31, 2012.
(6)Future interest payments on derivative financial instruments are estimated using the spread between the floating interest rates and the fixed interest rates in effect at March 31, 2012.
(7)Represents contractual payment obligations for our office leases in Stamford, Connecticut; Dublin, Ireland and Singapore.
(8)At March 31, 2012, we had aircraft purchase agreements and freighter conversion agreements, including the acquisition of one New A330 Aircraft from Airbus.

Capital Expenditures

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with improvements made to our aircraft. These expenditures include the cost of major overhauls necessary to place an aircraft in service and modifications made at the request of lessees. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, we incurred a total of $34.2$9.8 million and $34.7$16.3 million, respectively, of capital expenditures (including lease incentives) related to the acquisition and improvement of aircraft.

As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the weighted average age (by net book value) of our aircraft was approximately 10.811.1 years. In general, the costs of operating an aircraft, including maintenance expenditures, increase with the age of the aircraft. Under our leases, the lessee is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft. We may incur additional maintenance and modification costs in the future in the event we are required to remarket an aircraft or a lessee fails to meet its maintenance obligations under the lease agreement. At September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, we had $327.6$333.0 million of maintenance reserves as a liability on our balance sheet. These maintenance reserves are paid by the lessee to provide for future maintenance events. Provided a lessee performs scheduled maintenance of the aircraft, we are required to reimburse the lessee for scheduled maintenance payments. In certain cases, we are also required to make lessor contributions, in excess of amounts a lessee may have paid, towards the costs of maintenance events performed by or on behalf of the lessee.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we received $30.3 million of maintenance payments and returned $22.0 million of maintenance payments.

Actual maintenance payments to us by lessees in the future may be less than projected as a result of a number of factors, including defaults by the lessees. Maintenance reserves may not cover the entire amount of actual maintenance expenses incurred and, where these expenses are not otherwise covered by the lessees, there can be no assurance that our operational cash flow and maintenance reserves will be sufficient to fund maintenance requirements, particularly as our aircraft age.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2011.

March 31, 2012.

Foreign Currency Risk and Foreign Operations

At September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, all of our leases are payable to us in U.S. dollars. However, we incur EuroEuro- and Singapore dollar-denominated expenses in connection with our subsidiary in Ireland and branch office in Singapore. As of September 30, 2011, 13 of our 76 employees were based in Ireland, two employees were based in Singapore and one employee was based in the United Kingdom. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, expenses, such as payroll and office costs, denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar aggregated approximately $6.9$2.6 million in U.S. dollar equivalents and represented approximately 19.0%19.7% of total selling, general and administrative expenses. Our international operations are a significant component of our business strategy and permit us to more effectively source new aircraft, service the aircraft we own and maintain contact with our lessees. Therefore, it is likely that our international operations and our exposure to foreign currency risk will increase over time. Although we have not yet entered into foreign currency hedges because our exposure to date has not been significant, if our foreign currency exposure increases we may enter into hedging transactions in the future to mitigate this risk. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, we incurred insignificant net gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.

Hedging

The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating

50


rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.
     In September 2011, we entered into a series of interest rate forward contracts with a combined notional amount of $645.5 million. These forward starting interest rate derivatives are hedging the variable rate interest payments related to Securitization No. 2 for the period June 2012 through June 2017. These interest rate derivatives were designated at inception as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2011:

                                 
  Derivative Liabilities 
              Future             
  Current          Maximum             
  Notional  Effective  Maturity  Notional  Floating  Fixed  Balance Sheet    
Hedged Item Amount  Date  Date  Amount  Rate  Rate  Location  Fair Value 
              (Dollars in thousands)         
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
                                
                                 
Currently in effect:
                                
Securitization No. 1 $382,841  Jun-06 Jun-16 $382,841  1M LIBOR
+ 0.27
% 5.78% Fair value of derivative liabilities $62,727 
Securitization No. 2  961,282  Jun-07 Jun-12  961,282  1M LIBOR  5.25
to
5.36
%
 
%
 Fair value of derivative liabilities  32,252 
Term Financing No. 1  549,940  Jun-08 May-13  549,940  1M LIBOR  4.04% Fair value of derivative liabilities  29,301 
                              
Total interest rate derivatives currently in effect $1,894,063          $1,894,063               124,280 
                              
Forward starting:
                                
Securitization No. 2 $  Jun-12 Jun-17 $645,543  1M LIBOR  1.26
to
1.28
%
 
%
 Fair value of derivative liabilities  2,550 
Term Financing No. 1    May-13 May-15  477,838  1M LIBOR  5.31% Fair value of derivative liabilities  30,744 
                              
Total forward starting interest rate derivatives $          $1,123,381               33,294 
                              
Total interest rate derivative liabilities                             $157,574 
                                
March 31, 2012:

  Derivative Liabilities 

Hedged Item

 Current
Notional
Amount
  Effective
Date
 Maturity
Date
 Future
Maximum
Notional
Amount
  Floating
Rate
 Fixed
Rate
  Balance Sheet
Location
 Fair Value 
  (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:

        

Securitization No. 1

 $362,507   Jun-06 Jun-16 $362,507   1M LIBOR

+ 0.27%

  5.78 Fair
value of
derivative
liabilities
 $56,945  

Securitization No. 2(1)

  929,725   Jun-07 Jun-12  929,725   1M LIBOR  

 
 

5.25

to
5.36


  

 Fair
value of
derivative
liabilities
  9,065  

Securitization No. 2(1)

  —     Jun-12 Jun-17  645,543   1M LIBOR  

 
 

1.26

to
1.28


  

 Fair
value of
derivative
liabilities
  6,509  
 

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

  1,292,232      1,937,775       72,519  
 

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:

        

Term Financing No. 1(2)

  528,309   Jun-08 May-13  528,309   1M LIBOR  4.04 Fair
value of
derivative
liabilities
  19,026  

Term Financing No. 1(2)

  —     May-13 May-15  417,960   1M LIBOR  5.31 Fair
value of
derivative
liabilities
  31,916  
 

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges

  528,309      946,269       50,942  
 

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total interest rate derivative liabilities

 $1,820,541     $2,884,044      $123,461  
 

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1)The interest payments related to Securitization No. 2 are being hedged by two consecutive interest rate derivatives. When the first matures in June 2012, the next becomes effective.
(2)The interest rate derivatives hedging the variable interest rate payments of Terming Financing No. 1 were de-designated as of March 30, 2012 when it became probable that the Term Financing No. 1 debt would be repaid from the net proceeds from the Senior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020. On April 4, 2012, upon the repayment of Term Financing No. 1, both interest rate derivatives were terminated resulting in a net deferred loss of $50,429 which will be amortized into interest expense using the interest rate method. The mark-to-market adjustment for the period from date of de-designation through the termination date will be charged to other income (expense) on our consolidated statement of income.

The weighted average interest pay raterates of these derivatives at December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011 was 5.01%March 31, 2012 were 5.04%, and 5.03%, respectively.

For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives was $68.3$20.8 million. The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives is $70.2$31.3 million.

Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, our interest rate derivatives are held with the following counterparties: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Citibank Canada NA, HSH Nordbank AG and Wells Fargo Bank NA. All of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of A3Baa2 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. All are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of AA- or above) by Standard and Poor’s, except HSH Nordbank AG, which is not rated. We do not anticipate that any of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

51


In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $5.1$4.0 million related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and $1.6 million related to interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges.

Historically, the Company acquired its aircraft using short termshort-term credit facilities and equity. The short termshort-term credit facilities were refinanced by securitizations or term debt facilities secured by groups of aircraft. The Company completed two securitizations and two term financings during the period 2006 through 2008. The Company entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge interest payments on variable rate debt for acquired aircraft as well as aircraft that it expected to acquire within certain future periods. In conjunction with its financing strategy, the Company used interest rate derivatives for periods ranging from 5 to 10 years to fix the interest rates on the variable rate debt that it incurred to acquire aircraft in anticipation of the expected securitization or term debt re-financings.

At the time of each re-financing, the initial interest rate derivatives were terminated and new interest rate derivatives were executed as required by each specific debt financing. At the time of each interest rate derivative termination, certain interest rate derivatives were in a gain position and others were in a loss position. Since the hedged interest payments for the variable rate debt associated with each terminated interest rate derivative were probable of occurring, the gain or loss was deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is being amortized into interest expense over the relevant period for each interest rate derivative.

     Prior to the securitizations and term debt financings, our interest rate derivatives typically required us to post cash collateral to the counterparty when the value of the

On an ongoing basis, terminated interest rate derivative exceeded a defined threshold. Whennotionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest rate derivatives were terminatedpayments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable. Due to the sale of certain aircraft in the second half of 2011 and became partthe resulting repayment of a larger aircraft portfolio financing, there were no cash collateral posting requirements associated with the new interest rate derivative. AsECA Term Financing debt, amortization of September 30, 2011, we did not have any cash collateral pledged under our interest rate derivatives, nor do we have any existing agreements that require cash collateral postings.

deferred losses was accelerated.

The following table summarizes the deferred (gains) and losses and related amortization into interest expense for our terminated interest rate derivative contracts for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011:

2012:

                                         
                              Amount of Deferred    
                              (Gain) or Loss    
                              Amortized  Amount of 
                          Unamortized  (including Accelerated  Deferred 
                          Deferred  Amortization) into  (Gain) or Loss 
  Original                  Deferred  (Gain) or Loss  Interest Expense for  Expected to be 
  Maximum          Fixed      (Gain) or  at  the Nine Months Ended  Amortized 
  Notional  Effective  Maturity  Rate  Termination  Loss Upon  September 30,  September 30,  over the Next 
Hedged Item Amount  Date  Date  %  Date  Termination  2011  2010  2011  Twelve Months 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Securitization No. 1 $400,000  Dec-05 Aug-10  4.61  Jun-06 $(12,968) $  $(1,847) $  $ 
                                         
Securitization No. 1  200,000  Dec-05 Dec-10  5.03  Jun-06  (2,541)     (191)      
                                         
Securitization No. 2  500,000  Mar-06 Mar-11  5.07  Jun-07  (2,687)     (511)  (122)   
                                         
Securitization No. 2  200,000  Jan-07 Aug-12  5.06  Jun-07  (1,850)  (272)  (264)  (251)  (272)
                                         
Securitization No. 2  410,000  Feb-07 Apr-17  5.14  Jun-07  (3,119)  (1,399)  (267)  (264)  (347)
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  150,000  Jul-07 Dec-17  5.14  Mar-08  15,281   8,138   1,450   1,347   1,676 
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  440,000  Jun-07 Feb-13  4.88  Partial — Mar-08
Full — Jun-08
  26,281   6,413   4,229   3,927   4,884 
                                         
Term Financing No. 1  248,000  Aug-07 May-13  5.33  Jun-08  9,888   2,462   2,233   1,228   1,553 
                                         
2010-1 Notes  360,000  Jan-08 Feb-19  5.16  Partial — Jun-08
Full — Oct-08
  23,077   9,112   1,390   1,058   815 
                                         
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  238,000  Jan-11 Apr-16  5.23  Dec-08  19,430   14,907   13   3,525(1)  3,825 
                                         
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  231,000  Apr-10 Oct-15  5.17  Partial — Jun-08
Full — Dec-08
  15,310   9,941   177   1,791   3,379 
                                         
ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft  238,000  Jul-11 Sep-16  5.27  Dec-08  17,254   14,265      1,704(2)  2,584 
                                    
                                         
Total                     $103,356  $63,567  $6,412  $13,943  $18,097 
                                    

52

Hedged Item

 Original
Maximum
Notional
Amount
  Effective
Date
  Maturity
Date
  Fixed
Rate
%
  

Termination

Date

 Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss Upon

Termination
  Unamortized
Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss at

March 31,
2012
  Amount of
Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss

Amortized
(including
Accelerated
Amortization)
into Interest
Expense for
the Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
  Amount of
Deferred
(Gain) or
Loss
Expected
to be
Amortized
over the
Next
Twelve
Months
 
        2011  2012  
  (Dollars in Thousands) 

Securitization No. 2

  500,000    Mar-06    Mar-11    5.07   Jun-07  $  (2,687  $      —      $  (122 $—      $    —    

Securitization No. 2

  200,000    Jan-07    Aug-12    5.06   Jun-07  (1,850  (110  (85  (80  (110

Securitization No. 2

  410,000    Feb-07    Apr-17    5.14   Jun-07  (3,119  (1,222  (82  (87  (332

Term Financing No. 1

  150,000    Jul-07    Dec-17    5.14   Mar-08  15,281    7,277    458    429    1,676  

Term Financing No. 1

  440,000    Jun-07    Feb-13    4.88   

Partial – Mar-08

Full – Jun-08

  26,281    3,925    1,334    1,230    3,925  

Term Financing No. 1

  248,000    Aug-07    May-13    5.33   Jun-08  9,888    1,685    418    385    1,487  

Term Financing No. 1(1)

  710,068    Jun-08    May-13    4.04   

De-designated –

Mar-12

Terminated –

April-12

  19,026    19,026    —      —      17,614  

Term Financing No. 1(1)

  491,718    May-13    May-15    5.31   

De-designated –

Mar-12

Terminated –

April-12

  31,403    31,403    —      —      —    

Term Financing No. 2

  360,000    Jan-08    Feb-19    5.16   

Partial – Jun-08

Full – Oct-08

  23,077    8,616    394    226    481  

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft

  231,000    Apr-10    Oct-15    5.17   

Partial – Jun-08

Full – Dec-08

  15,310    8,460    520    734    3,809  

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft

  238,000    Jan-11    Apr-16    5.23   Dec-08  19,430    12,959    —      965    3,684  

ECA Term Financing for New A330 Aircraft

  238,000    Jul-11    Sep-16    5.27   Dec-08  17,254    8,772    —      269    2,304  
      

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

       $169,294    $100,791    $2,835   $4,071    $34,538  
      

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 


(1)Includes accelerated amortizationThe interest rate derivatives hedging the variable interest rate payments of Terming Financing No. 1 were de-designated as of March 30, 2012 when it became probable that the Term Financing No. 1 debt would be repaid from the net proceeds from the Senior Notes due 2017 and the Senior Notes due 2020. On April 4, 2012, upon the repayment of Term Financing No. 1, both interest rate derivatives were terminated resulting in a net deferred losses inloss of $50,429 which will be amortized into interest expense using the amountinterest rate method. The mark-to-market adjustment for the period from date of $1,839 relatedde-designation through the termination date will be charged to an aircraft sold during the period.
(2)Represents accelerated amortizationother income (expense) on our consolidated statement of deferred losses related to an aircraft sold during the period.income.

For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, the amount of deferred net loss (including $3.6 million of accelerated amortization) reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $13.9$4.1 million. The amount of deferred net loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our terminated interest rate derivatives is $18.1$34.5 million. Over the next twelve months, we expect the amortization of deferred net losses to increase as the gains on Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2 are either fully amortized or will be in the near future and the losses on the forward starting A330 swaps begin to amortize as we take delivery of these aircraft.

The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
      (Dollars in thousands)     
Interest Expense:
                
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses $764  $(118) $2,533  $(716)
             
Amortization:                
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses(1)
  313   1,704   766   3,551 
Amortization of deferred losses  2,025   4,013   5,646   10,392 
             
Total Amortization  2,338   5,717   6,412   13,943 
             
Total charged to interest expense $3,102  $5,599  $8,945  $13,227 
             
                 
Other Income (Expense):
                
Mark to market gains (losses) on undesignated interest rate derivatives $(444) $(117) $(990) $(733)
             
Total charged to other income (expense) $(444) $(117) $(990) $(733)
             
(1)For the three months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $1,704 related to an aircraft sold in September 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses in the amount of $3,543 related to two aircraft sold in 2011.

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Interest Expense:

   

Hedge ineffectiveness gains

  $(475 $(1,519
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Amortization:

   

Amortization of deferred losses

   2,835    4,071  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Amortization

   2,835    4,071  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total charged to interest expense

  $2,360   $2,552  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

   

Mark to market gains (losses) on undesignated interest rate derivatives

  $(359 $(113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total charged to other income (expense)

  $(359 $(113
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Management’s Use of EBITDA

We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-US GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance.

This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieving optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed.

EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results. Accordingly, this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure, or expenses, of the organization. EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the board of directors to review the consolidated financial performance of our business.

53


The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, respectively.
                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
      (Dollars in thousands)     
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
Depreciation  55,703   60,132   164,272   178,299 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  4,203   4,709   13,957   10,841 
Interest, net  47,453   48,872   128,578   150,384 
Income tax provision  153   1,237   4,003   6,041 
             
EBITDA $116,081  $137,615  $356,397  $434,216 
             

78,785,73678,785,736
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  

Depreciation

   59,591    64,514  

Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives

   3,102    1,598  

Interest, net

   45,619    48,981  

Income tax provision

   3,269    2,929  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

EBITDA

  $154,258   $150,624  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Management’s Use of Adjusted Net Income (“ANI”)

Beginning with this report for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, management, to be more consistent with reporting practices of peer aircraft leasing companies, has revised the calculation of ANI to no longer exclude gains (losses) on sales of assets, and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization

to exclude non-cash share based payment expense in the calculation of ANI. Beginning with our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, we will also exclude Term Financing No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges which will be reported in Interest, net on our consolidated statement of income from the calculation of ANI. The calculation of ANI for the three months ended March 31, 2011 has been revised to be comparable with the current period presentation.

Management believes that Adjusted Net Income (“ANI”) and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization (“ANIDA”),ANI when viewed in conjunction with the Company’s results under US GAAP and the below reconciliation, provide useful information about operating and period-over-period performance, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business without regard to periodic reporting elements related to interest rate derivative accounting and gains or losses related to flight equipment and debt investments. Additionally, management believes that ANIDA provides investors with an additional metric to enhance their understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings from which capital investments are made, debt is serviced, and dividends are paid.

accounting.

The table below shows the reconciliation of net income to ANI and ANIDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, respectively.

                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
      (Dollars in thousands)     
Net income $8,569  $22,665  $45,587  $88,651 
Ineffective portion and termination of cash flow hedges(1)
  1,077   1,586   3,299   2,835 
Loan termination payment(1)
           3,196 
Write-off of deferred financing fees(1)
  2,471      2,471   2,456 
Mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)
  444   117   990   733 
Loss (gain) on sale of flight equipment(2)
     (8,997)  1,291   (28,958)
             
Adjusted net income  12,561   15,371   53,638   68,913 
Depreciation  55,703   60,132   164,272   178,299 
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives  4,203   4,709   13,957   10,841 
             
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization $72,467  $80,212  $231,867  $258,053 
             

78,785,73678,785,736
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 
   (Dollars in thousands) 

Net income

  $42,677   $32,602  

Ineffective portion and termination of hedges(1)

   (475  (1,519

Mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)

   359    113  

Stock compensation expense(3)

   1,895    1,176  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income

  $44,456   $32,372  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Included in Interest, net.
 
(2)Included in Other income (expense).
                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Weighted-average shares:
                
Common shares outstanding  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
Restricted common shares  1,048,237   970,559   1,137,163   965,655 
             
Total weighted-average shares  79,584,941   73,920,920   79,607,400   76,756,660 
             

54


                 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Percentage of weighted-average shares:
                
Common shares outstanding  98.68%  98.69%  98.57%  98.74%
Restricted common shares  1.32%  1.31%  1.43%  1.26%
             
Total  100.00%  100.00%  100.00%  100.00%
             
 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — Basic and Diluted(b)
  78,536,704   72,950,361   78,470,237   75,791,005 
                 
 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Adjusted net income allocation:
                
Adjusted net income $12,561  $15,371  $53,638  $68,913 
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
  (165)  (202)  (766)  (867)
             
Adjusted net income allocable to common shares — Basic and Diluted $12,396  $15,169  $52,872  $68,046 
             
                 
Adjusted net income per common share — Basic $0.16  $0.21  $0.67  $0.90 
             
Adjusted net income per common share — Diluted $0.16  $0.21  $0.67  $0.90 
             
 
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2010  2011  2010  2011 
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization allocation:
                
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization $72,467  $80,212  $231,867  $258,053 
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)
  (954)  (1,053)  (3,312)  (3,246)
             
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization allocable to common shares — Basic and Diluted $71,513  $79,159  $228,555  $254,807 
             
                 
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization per common share — Basic $0.91  $1.09  $2.91  $3.36 
             
Adjusted net income plus depreciation and amortization per common share — Diluted $0.91  $1.09  $2.91  $3.36 
             
(3)Included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

,78,785,736,78,785,736
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 

Weighted-average shares:

  2011  2012 

Common shares outstanding

   78,785,736    71,696,939  

Restricted common shares

   913,671    630,038  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total weighted-average shares

   79,699,407    72,326,977  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

0000000000000000
   Three Months Ended
March  31,
 

Percentage of weighted-average shares:

      2011          2012     

Common shares outstanding

   98.85  99.13

Restricted common shares

   1.15  0.87
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

         100.00        100.00
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011  2012 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic and Diluted(b)

   78,785,736    71,696,939  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
       2011          2012     
   

(Dollars in thousands,

except per share amounts)

 

Adjusted net income allocation:

   

Adjusted net income

  $44,456   $32,372  

Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)

   (510  (282
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income allocable to common shares – Basic and Diluted

  $      43,946   $      32,090  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income per common share – Basic

  $0.56   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income per common share – Diluted

  $0.56   $0.45  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(a)(a)For the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011, distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares is 1.32% and 1.31%, respectively, of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011,2012, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 1.43%1.15% and 1.26%0.87%, respectively, of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods presentedpresent is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
 
(b)For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2011,2012, we have no dilutive shares.

55


Limitations of EBITDA ANI and ANIDA
ANI

An investor or potential investor may find EBITDA ANI and ANIDAANI important measures in evaluating our performance, results of operations and financial position. We use these non-US GAAP measures to supplement our US GAAP results in order to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.

EBITDA ANI and ANIDAANI have limitations as analytical tools and should not be viewed in isolation or as substitutes for US GAAP measures of earnings. Material limitations in making the adjustments to our earnings to calculate EBITDA ANI and ANIDA,ANI, and using these non-US GAAP measures as compared to US GAAP net income, income from continuing operations and cash flows provided by or used in operations, include:

depreciation and amortization, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of our aircraft, which affects the aircraft’s availability for use and may be indicative of future needs for capital expenditures;

depreciation and amortization, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represent the wear and tear and/or reduction in value of our aircraft, which affects the aircraft’s availability for use and may be indicative of future needs for capital expenditures;
the cash portion of income tax (benefit) provision generally represents charges (gains), which may significantly affect our financial results;
elements of our interest rate derivative accounting may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our hedging policy; and
gains and losses from asset sales, which may not reflect the overall financial return of the asset, may be an indicator of the current value of our portfolio of assets.

the cash portion of income tax (benefit) provision generally represents charges (gains), which may significantly affect our financial results;

elements of our interest rate derivative accounting may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our hedging policy; and

non-cash share based payment expense.

EBITDA ANI, and ANIDAANI are not alternatives to net income, income from operations or cash flows provided by or used in operations as calculated and presented in accordance with US GAAP. You should not rely on these non-US GAAP measures as a substitute for any such US GAAP financial measure. We strongly urge you to review the reconciliations to US GAAP net income, along with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.report. We also strongly urge you to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. In addition, because EBITDA ANI and ANIDAANI are not measures of financial performance under US GAAP and are susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA ANI and ANIDA,ANI as presented in this Quarterly Report,report, may differ from and may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in the level of interest rates and the spread between different interest rates. These risks are highly sensitive to many factors, including U.S. monetary and tax policies, U.S. and international economic factors and other factors beyond our control. We are exposed to changes in the level of interest rates and to changes in the relationship or spread between interest rates. Our primary interest rate exposures relate to our lease agreements, floating rate debt obligations and interest rate derivatives. Rent payments under our aircraft lease agreements typically do not vary during the term of the lease according to changes in interest rates. However, our borrowing agreements generally require payments based on a variable interest rate index, such as LIBOR. Therefore, to the extent our borrowing costs are not fixed, increases in interest rates may reduce our net income by increasing the cost of our debt without any corresponding increase in rents or cash flow from our securities.

Changes in interest rates may also impact our net book value as our interest rate derivatives are periodically marked-to-market through shareholders’ equity. Generally, we are exposed to loss on our fixed pay interest rate derivatives to the extent interest rates decrease below their contractual fixed rate.

56


The relationship between spreads on derivative instruments may vary from time to time, resulting in a net aggregate book value increase or decrease. Changes in the general level of interest rates can also affect our ability to acquire new investments and our ability to realize gains from the settlement of such assets.

Sensitivity Analysis

The following discussion about the potential effects of changes in interest rates is based on a sensitivity analysis, which models the effects of hypothetical interest rate shifts on our financial condition and results of operations. We changed our interest rate risk disclosure to an alternative that provides a more meaningful analysis of our interest rate risk. Although we believe a sensitivity analysis provides the most meaningful analysis permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, it is constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and by the inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. Although the following results of a sensitivity analysis for changes in interest rates may have some limited use as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast. This forward-looking disclosure also is selective in nature and addresses only the potential minimum contracted rental and interest expense impacts on our financial instruments and our fivethree variable rate leases and, in particular, does not address the mark-to-market impact on our interest rate derivatives. It also does not include a variety of other potential factors that could affect our business as a result of changes in interest rates.

A hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rates would increase/decrease the minimum contracted rentals on our portfolio as of September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 by $0.8$0.5 million and $0.4$0.3 million, respectively, over the next twelve months. As of September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, a hypothetical 100-basis point increase/decrease in our variable interest rate on our borrowings would result in an interest expense increase/decrease of $1.0$2.0 million and $0.6$1.0 million, respectively, net of amounts received from our interest rate derivatives, over the next twelve months.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act.Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer or CEO,(“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer or CFO,(“CFO”) as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011.March 31, 2012. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011.

March 31, 2012.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Item 1.Legal Proceedings

The Company is not a party to any material legal or adverse regulatory proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the disclosure related to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2010.

2011.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the thirdfirst quarter of 2011,2012, we purchased our common shares as follows:

                 
              Maximum 
              Number (or 
              Approximate 
          Total Number of  Dollar Value) of 
  Total  Average  Shares Purchased  Shares that May 
  Number  Price  as Part of Publicly  Yet Be Purchased 
  of Shares  Paid  Announced Plans  Under the Plans or 
Period Purchased  per Share  or Programs(a)  Programs(a) 
      (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)     
July    $     $30,000 
August  2,587,600   11.37   2,587,600   590 
September  50,570   11.67   50,570    
             
Total  2,638,170  $11.37   2,638,170  $ 
             

Period

  Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price
Paid
per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(b)
   Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(b)
 
   (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 

January

   148,468(a)   $12.72     —       —    

February

   —      —       —       —    

March

   —      —       —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   148,468    $12.72     —       —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)Our Compensation Committee approved the repurchase of common shares pursuant to an irrevocable election made under the Amended and Restated Aircastle Limited 2005 Equity and Incentive Plan, in satisfaction of minimum tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of restricted common shares during the first quarter of 2012.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.Other Information

None.

Item 6.Exhibits

(a)

Exhibit
No.

  On March 10, 2011 the Company announced the repurchase of up to $60 million of the Company’s common shares. On June 27, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company’s share repurchase program by up to an additional $30 million of its common shares, for a total of up to $90 million of its common shares in the aggregate. The amount and timing of the purchases will depend on a number of factors including the price and availability of the Company’s common shares, trading volume and general market conditions. The Company may also from time to time establish a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act to facilitate purchases of its common shares under this authorization. Through September 30, 2011, we repurchased 7,552,820 shares at a total cost of $90.0 million including commissions, completing the share purchases to the authorized amounts.

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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.

Description of Exhibit

3.1  Memorandum of Association†Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
    
3.2  Bye-laws†Bye-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
    
4.1  Specimen Share Certificate†Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
    
4.2  Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement among Aircastle Limited and Fortress Investment Fund III LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund D) L.P., Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund E) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund A) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund D) L.P., Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP, Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd. and Drawbridge Global Macro Master Fund Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No. 2) (No. 333-134669) filed on July 25, 2006).
    4.3  Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2010, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 4, 2010).
    4.4First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2011, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2011).
    4.5Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Aircastle Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2012).
10.1  Separation Agreement, dated January 22, 2012, among Aircastle Advisor LLC and J. Robert Peart (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement8-K filed with directors and officers ∆the SEC on January 23, 2012).
  10.2  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Aircastle Limited and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as representatives of the several Initial Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2012).
31.1  Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002D
  
31.2  Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002D
  
32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002D
  
32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002D
  
99.1  Owned Aircraft Portfolio at September 30, 2011 ∆March 31, 2012D

Exhibit
No.

  

Description of Exhibit

101  The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20102011 and September 30, 2011,March 31, 2012, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 (iii)and 2012, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010 andMarch 31, 2011 and (iv)2012, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial StatementsD*

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on June 2, 2006, as amended on July 10, 2006, July 25, 2006 and August 2, 2006.
DFiled herewith.
*Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

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SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 8, 2011

May 3, 2012

AIRCASTLE LIMITED
(Registrant)
By: 
AIRCASTLE LIMITED
(Registrant)
By:  

/s/ Aaron Dahlke

 Aaron Dahlke
 Chief Accounting Officer and Authorized Officer

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