UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 23, 2023
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Cayman Islands
 
001-37386
 
98-1420784
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
(212) 798-6100
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Class A Common shares, $0.01 par value per share
FTAI
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIP
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIO
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.25% Fixed Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIN
The Nasdaq Global Select Market



Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On February 23, 2023, FTAI Aviation Ltd. (“FTAI” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results for its fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Current Report”) as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 2.02 disclosure.
 
This Current Report, including the exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, unless expressly set forth as being incorporated by reference into such filing.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number

Description
   
 
Press release, dated February 23, 2023, issued by FTAI Aviation Ltd.
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document


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 hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
   
 
By:
/s/ Eun (Angela) Nam
 
Name:
Eun (Angela) Nam
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
     
Date: February 23, 2023
   




Exhibit 99.1

 
PRESS RELEASE
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd. Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Results, Declares Dividend of $0.30 per Ordinary Share



NEW YORK, February 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTAI) (the “Company” or “FTAI”) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022. The Company’s consolidated comparative financial statements and key performance measures are attached as an exhibit to this press release.
 
Financial Overview
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Selected Financial Results
 
Q4’22
 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders
 
$
20,010
 
Basic Earnings per Ordinary Share for Continuing Operations
 
$
0.20
 
Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share for Continuing Operations
 
$
0.20
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
 
$
123,539
 
 

(1)  For definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures, please refer to the exhibit to this press release.
 
Fourth Quarter 2022 Dividends
 
On February 23, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a cash dividend on its ordinary shares of $0.30 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, payable on March 22, 2023 to the holders of record on March 10, 2023.
 
Additionally, on February 23, 2023, the Board declared cash dividends on its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series A Preferred Shares”), Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series B Preferred Shares”) and Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C Preferred Shares”) of $0.51563, $0.50000 and $0.51563 per share, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, payable on March 15, 2023 to the holders of record on March 7, 2023.

1

Business Highlights
 
FTAI purchased $298mm of assets in Q4 comprised of 16 aircraft and 19 engines. In addition, FTAI sold non-core aviation assets, comprised of 8 aircraft/airframes and 18 engines, generating net proceeds of $123mm.
 
“With green time severely depleted and the supply chain unable to service engines on a timely basis, airlines are struggling to find power,” said Joe Adams, FTAI’s CEO.
 
“New aircraft delivery delays are driving airlines to extend the lives of their 737NG and A320ceo fleets, which further increases CFM56 flight hours.”
 
“With airlines experiencing record high CASM (cost per available seat mile), maintenance cost-saving products and practices are in high demand. We believe our suite of propriety products is allowing us to add and retain customers across the entire ecosystem of users, owners, and maintenance providers.”
 
Additional Information
 
For additional information that management believes to be useful for investors, please refer to the presentation posted on the Investor Center section of the Company’s website, www.ir.ftaiaviation.com, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, when available on the Company’s website. Nothing on the Company’s website is included or incorporated by reference herein.
 
Conference Call
 
The Company will host a conference call on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by registering via the following link https://register.vevent.com/register/BI68b0c783afb44b589fdfbb0fe47182a5. Once registered, participants will receive a dial-in and unique pin to access the call.
 
A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.ftaiaviation.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast.
 
A replay of the conference call will be available after 11:30 A.M. on Friday, February 24, 2023 through 11:30 A.M. on Friday, March 3, 2023 on https://ir.ftaiaviation.com/news-events/presentations.
 
The information contained on, or accessible through, any websites included in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and should not be considered a part of, this press release.
 
About FTAI Aviation Ltd.
 
FTAI owns and maintains commercial jet engines with a focus on CFM56 engines. FTAI’s propriety portfolio of products, including The Module Factory and a JV to manufacture engine PMA, enables it to provide cost savings and flexibility to our airline, lessor, and MRO customer base. Additionally, FTAI owns and leases jet aircraft which often facilitates the acquisition of engines at attractive prices. FTAI invests in aviation assets and aerospace products that generate strong and stable cash flows with the potential for earnings growth and asset appreciation.

2

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained and such differences may be material. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Company’s website (www.ftaiaviation.com). In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

For further information, please contact:
 
Alan Andreini
Investor Relations
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(646) 734-9414
aandreini@fortress.com

3

Exhibit - Financial Statements
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
   
Three Months Ended December 31
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2022
   
2021
   
2022
   
2021
 
Revenues
 
$
274,291
   
$
98,231
   
$
708,411
   
$
335,583
 
                                 
Expenses
                               
Cost of sales
   
128,246
     
5,731
     
248,385
     
14,308
 
Operating expenses
   
24,067
     
25,424
     
132,264
     
59,615
 
General and administrative
   
2,343
     
3,831
     
14,164
     
13,448
 
Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
4,867
     
5,285
     
13,207
     
17,911
 
Management fees and incentive allocation to affiliate
   
3,558
     
(21
)
   
3,562
     
684
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
37,456
     
41,366
     
152,917
     
147,740
 
Asset impairment
   
9,048
     
7,415
     
137,219
     
10,463
 
Interest expense
   
36,997
     
39,419
     
169,194
     
155,017
 
Total expenses
   
246,582
     
128,450
     
870,912
     
419,186
 
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
(244
)
   
(353
)
   
(369
)
   
(1,403
)
(Loss) gain on sale of assets, net
   
(2,722
)
   
31,548
     
77,211
     
49,015
 
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt
   
2
     
     
(19,859
)
   
(3,254
)
Other (expense) income
   
(1
)
   
227
     
207
     
(490
)
Total other (expense) income
   
(2,965
)
   
31,422
     
57,190
     
43,868
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
   
24,744
     
1,203
     
(105,311
)
   
(39,735
)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
   
(2,057
)
   
2,302
     
5,300
     
3,126
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
   
26,801
     
(1,099
)
   
(110,611
)
   
(42,861
)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
     
(18,680
)
   
(101,416
)
   
(87,845
)
Net income (loss)
   
26,801
     
(19,779
)
   
(212,027
)
   
(130,706
)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries:
                               
Continuing operations
   
     
     
     
 
Discontinued operations
   
     
(7,523
)
   
(18,817
)
   
(26,472
)
Less: Dividends on preferred shares
   
6,791
     
6,791
     
27,164
     
24,758
 
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders
 
$
20,010
   
$
(19,047
)
 
$
(220,374
)
 
$
(128,992
)
                                 
Earnings (loss) per share:
                               
Basic
                               
Continuing operations
 
$
0.20
   
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(1.39
)
 
$
(0.75
)
Discontinued operations
 
$
   
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.83
)
 
$
(0.68
)
Diluted
                               
Continuing operations
 
$
0.20
   
$
(0.08
)
 
$
(1.39
)
 
$
(0.75
)
Discontinued operations
 
$
   
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.83
)
 
$
(0.68
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
99,566,387
     
99,224,907
     
99,421,008
     
89,922,088
 
Diluted
   
100,180,524
     
99,224,907
     
99,421,008
     
89,922,088
 

4

FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
   
December 31,
 
   
2022
   
2021
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
33,565
   
$
138,206
 
Restricted cash
   
19,500
     
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
99,443
     
124,924
 
Leasing equipment, net
   
1,913,553
     
1,855,637
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
   
10,014
     
38,263
 
Investments
   
22,037
     
22,917
 
Intangible assets, net
   
41,955
     
30,962
 
Inventory, net
   
163,676
     
100,307
 
Other assets
   
125,834
     
110,337
 
Assets of discontinued operations
   
     
2,442,301
 
Total assets
 
$
2,429,577
   
$
4,863,854
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
86,452
   
$
87,035
 
Debt, net
   
2,175,727
     
2,501,587
 
Maintenance deposits
   
78,686
     
106,836
 
Security deposits
   
32,842
     
40,149
 
Other liabilities
   
36,468
     
23,892
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
   
     
980,255
 
Total liabilities
 
$
2,410,175
   
$
3,739,754
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity
               
Ordinary shares ($0.01 par value per share; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized; 99,716,621 and 99,180,385 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively)
 
$
997
   
$
992
 
Preferred shares ($0.01 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 13,320,000 and 13,320,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively)
   
133
     
133
 
Additional paid in capital
   
343,350
     
1,411,940
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(325,602
)
   
(132,392
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
     
(156,381
)
Shareholders' equity
   
18,878
     
1,124,292
 
Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
   
524
     
(192
)
Total equity
 
$
19,402
   
$
1,124,100
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,429,577
   
$
4,863,854
 

5

FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2022
   
2021
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
 
$
(212,027
)
 
$
(130,706
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
46,971
     
12,734
 
Gain on sale of assets, net
   
(141,677
)
   
(49,031
)
Security deposits and maintenance claims included in earnings
   
(41,845
)
   
(39,067
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
   
19,859
     
3,254
 
Equity-based compensation
   
2,623
     
4,038
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
193,236
     
201,756
 
Asset impairment
   
137,219
     
10,463
 
Change in deferred income taxes
   
2,161
     
(2,057
)
Change in fair value of non-hedge derivatives
   
(1,567
)
   
(2,220
)
Amortization of lease intangibles and incentives
   
37,135
     
27,978
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
19,018
     
21,723
 
Provision for credit losses
   
47,975
     
12,953
 
Other
   
(1,010
)
   
(440
)
Change in:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(65,969
)
   
(88,872
)
Other assets
   
(23,037
)
   
(30,789
)
Inventory
   
(23,267
)
   
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(19,599
)
   
25,079
 
Management fees payable to affiliate
   
804
     
1,042
 
Other liabilities
   
2,340
     
118
 
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(20,657
)
   
(22,044
)
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Investment in unconsolidated entities
   
(7,344
)
   
(54,655
)
Principal collections on finance leases
   
2,227
     
7,387
 
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
   
(3,819
)
   
(627,090
)
Acquisition of leasing equipment
   
(638,329
)
   
(572,624
)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
   
(144,196
)
   
(157,332
)
Acquisition of lease intangibles
   
(31,127
)
   
(24,017
)
Investment in convertible promissory notes
   
     
(10,000
)
Purchase deposit for acquisitions
   
(6,671
)
   
(13,658
)
Proceeds from sale of leasing equipment
   
408,937
     
158,927
 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
5,289
     
4,494
 
Proceeds for deposit on sale of aircraft and engine
   
3,780
     
600
 
Return of purchase deposits
   
     
1,010
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(411,253
)
 
$
(1,286,958
)

6

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2022
   
2021
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Proceeds from debt
 
$
813,980
   
$
2,894,127
 
Repayment of debt
   
(1,144,529
)
   
(1,553,231
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(18,607
)
   
(52,739
)
Receipt of security deposits
   
3,882
     
8,770
 
Return of security deposits
   
(2,141
)
   
(1,201
)
Receipt of maintenance deposits
   
47,846
     
31,507
 
Release of maintenance deposits
   
(1,471
)
   
(20,724
)
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of underwriter's discount
   
     
323,124
 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares, net of underwriter's discount and issuance costs
   
     
101,200
 
Capital contributions from non-controlling interests
   
1,187
     
 
Dividend from spin-off of FTAI Infrastructure, net of cash transferred
   
500,562
     
 
Settlement of equity-based compensation
   
(148
)
   
(421
)
Cash dividends - ordinary shares
   
(128,483
)
   
(118,009
)
Cash dividends - preferred shares
   
(27,164
)
   
(24,758
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
44,914
     
1,587,645
 
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
(386,996
)
   
278,643
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
   
440,061
     
161,418
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
53,065
   
$
440,061
 

7

Key Performance Measures
 
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) utilizes Adjusted EBITDA as our key performance measure.
 
Adjusted EBITDA provides the CODM with the information necessary to assess operational performance, as well as make resource and allocation decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations, adjusted (a) to exclude the impact of provision for income taxes, equity-based compensation expense, acquisition and transaction expenses, losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations, changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments, asset impairment charges, incentive allocations, depreciation and amortization expense, dividends on preferred shares, and interest expense, (b) to include the impact of our pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities, and (c) to exclude the impact of equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities and the non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA.
 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net loss attributable to shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2022
   
2021
   
2022
   
2021
 
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations
 
$
20,010
   
$
(7,890
)
 
$
(137,775
)
 
$
(67,619
)
Add: Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
   
(2,057
)
   
2,302
     
5,300
     
3,126
 
Add: Equity-based compensation expense
   
     
     
     
 
Add: Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
4,867
     
5,285
     
13,207
     
17,911
 
Add: Losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations
   
(2
)
   
     
19,859
     
3,254
 
Add: Changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments
   
     
     
     
 
Add: Asset impairment charges
   
9,048
     
7,415
     
137,219
     
10,463
 
Add: Incentive allocations
   
3,489
     
     
3,489
     
 
Add: Depreciation & amortization expense (1)
   
44,277
     
47,995
     
190,031
     
175,718
 
Add: Interest expense and dividends on preferred shares
   
43,788
     
46,210
     
196,358
     
179,775
 
Add: Pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities (2)
   
(125
)
   
(297
)
   
40
     
(1,203
)
Less: Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
244
     
353
     
369
     
1,403
 
Less: Non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA
   
     
     
     
 
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
 
$
123,539
   
$
101,373
   
$
428,097
   
$
322,828
 
 

 
(1) Includes the following items for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $37,456 and $41,366, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $3,654 and $1,777 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $3,167 and $4,852, respectively.
 
Includes the following items for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $152,917 and $147,740, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $13,913 and $4,993 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $23,201 and $22,985, respectively.
 
(2) Includes the following items for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: (i) net loss of $(244) and $(353), (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $119 and $56, respectively.
 
Includes the following items for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021: (i) net loss of $(369) and $(1,403), (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $409 and $200, respectively.
 

8