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): October 25, 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 B 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
9.50% Fixed Rate Reset Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIM
The Nasdaq Global Select Market



Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On October 25, 2023, FTAI Aviation Ltd. (“FTAI” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023. 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 October 25, 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: October 25, 2023


 



Exhibit 99.1


PRESS RELEASE

FTAI Aviation Ltd. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results, Declares Dividend of $0.30 per Ordinary Share



NEW YORK, October 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTAI) (the “Company” or “FTAI”) today reported financial results for the third quarter 2023. 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
   
Q3’23
 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders
 
$
32,973
 
Basic Earnings per Ordinary Share from Continuing Operations
 
$
0.33
 
Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share from Continuing Operations
 
$
0.33
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
 
$
154,218
 



(1)  For definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures, please refer to the exhibit to this press release.

Third Quarter 2023 Dividends

On October 25, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a cash dividend on FTAI’s ordinary shares of $0.30 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, payable on November 28, 2023 to the holders of record on November 14, 2023.

Additionally, on October 25, 2023, the Board declared cash dividends on FTAI’s 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”), Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C Preferred Shares”) and Fixed-Rate Reset Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series D Preferred Shares”) of $0.51563, $0.50000, $0.51563 and $0.59375 per share, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, payable on December 15, 2023 to the holders of record on December 1, 2023.

Business Highlights


$107.1 million Aerospace Products revenue in Q3 2023 generating $40.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA(1) at a 38% margin.

41 modules sold in Q3’23 to 11 unique customers including 2 new customers and 9 repeat customers.

Generated $492 million year to date positive free cashflow available for asset acquisition & investment activity.

Closed on 23 Engines & 10 Aircraft at attractive prices to help generate future growth in Aviation Leasing Adjusted EBITDA(1).

1

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, https://www.ftaiaviation.com, and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, when available on the Company’s website. Nothing on the Company’s website is included or incorporated by reference herein.

Conference Call

In addition, management will host a conference call on Thursday, October 26, 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/BIc75f7efaa03d41108edf9a7cf4d4ec2f. 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 https://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 Thursday, October 26, 2023 through 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, November 2, 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 joint venture to manufacture engine PMA, enables it to provide cost savings and flexibility to our airline, lessor, and maintenance, repair, and operations 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.

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.

2

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 September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Revenues
                       
Lease income
 
$
45,622
   
$
50,198
   
$
161,141
   
$
129,163
 
Maintenance revenue
   
63,925
     
35,507
     
141,131
     
112,171
 
Asset sales revenue
   
72,990
     
85,488
     
283,167
     
85,488
 
Aerospace products revenue
   
107,085
     
53,401
     
260,273
     
94,211
 
Other revenue
   
1,474
     
5,771
     
12,447
     
13,087
 
Total revenues
   
291,096
     
230,365
     
858,159
     
434,120
 
Expenses
                               
Cost of sales
   
116,707
     
95,948
     
366,909
     
120,139
 
Operating expenses
   
33,887
     
27,393
     
81,218
     
108,197
 
General and administrative
   
3,015
     
3,354
     
10,270
     
11,821
 
Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
4,261
     
2,848
     
10,195
     
8,340
 
Management fees and incentive allocation to affiliate
   
4,577
     
4
     
13,137
     
4
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
43,959
     
34,853
     
123,399
     
115,461
 
Asset impairment
   
     
4,495
     
1,220
     
128,171
 
Interest expense
   
40,185
     
40,171
     
117,976
     
132,197
 
Total expenses
   
246,591
     
209,066
     
724,324
     
624,330
 
Other income (expense)
                               
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities
   
46
     
(358
)
   
(1,669
)
   
(125
)
Gain on sale of assets, net
   
     
     
     
79,933
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
   
     
(19,861
)
   
     
(19,861
)
Other income (expense)
   
461
     
(1,038
)
   
877
     
208
 
Total other income (expense)
   
507
     
(21,257
)
   
(792
)
   
60,155
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
   
45,012
     
42
     
133,043
     
(130,055
)
Provision for income taxes
   
3,705
     
4,189
     
7,586
     
7,357
 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
   
41,307
     
(4,147
)
   
125,457
     
(137,412
)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
     
(14,782
)
   
     
(101,416
)
Net income (loss)
   
41,307
     
(18,929
)
   
125,457
     
(238,828
)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries:
                               
Continuing operations
   
     
     
     
 
Discontinued operations
   
     
(2,871
)
   
     
(18,817
)
Less: Dividends on preferred shares
   
8,334
     
6,791
     
23,460
     
20,373
 
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders
 
$
32,973
   
$
(22,849
)
 
$
101,997
   
$
(240,384
)

4

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2023
   
2022
   
2023
   
2022
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Basic
 

   

 
 

   


Continuing operations
  $ 0.33     $
(0.11
)
  $
1.02
    $
(1.59
)
Discontinued operations
  $
    $
(0.12
)
  $     $
(0.83
)
Diluted
   
     
     
     
 
Continuing operations
  $
0.33     $
(0.11
)
  $
1.02
    $
(1.59
)
Discontinued operations
  $
    $
(0.12
)
  $     $
(0.83
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    99,927,594      
99,378,771
     
99,796,736
     
99,372,016
 
Diluted
   
100,482,309
     
99,378,771
     
100,269,203
     
99,372,016
 

5

FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
(Unaudited)
       
   
September 30, 2023
   
December 31, 2022
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
52,879
   
$
33,565
 
Restricted cash
   
     
19,500
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
107,825
     
99,443
 
Leasing equipment, net
   
1,924,198
     
1,913,553
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
   
13,454
     
10,014
 
Investments
   
39,868
     
22,037
 
Intangible assets, net
   
41,471
     
41,955
 
Inventory, net
   
274,832
     
163,676
 
Other assets
   
179,259
     
125,834
 
Total assets
 
$
2,633,786
   
$
2,429,577
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
108,579
   
$
86,452
 
Debt, net
   
2,279,330
     
2,175,727
 
Maintenance deposits
   
61,497
     
78,686
 
Security deposits
   
39,901
     
32,842
 
Other liabilities
   
49,417
     
36,468
 
Total liabilities
 
$
2,538,724
   
$
2,410,175
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity
               
Common shares ($0.01 par value per share; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized; 100,238,075 and 99,716,621 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
 
$
1,002
   
$
997
 
Preferred shares ($0.01 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 15,920,000 and 13,320,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
   
159
     
133
 
Additional paid in capital
   
293,512
     
343,350
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(200,145
)
   
(325,602
)
Shareholders' equity
   
94,528
     
18,878
 
Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
   
534
     
524
 
Total equity
   
95,062
     
19,402
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,633,786
   
$
2,429,577
 

6

FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2023
   
2022
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
 
$
125,457
   
$
(238,828
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
1,669
     
46,727
 
Gain on sale of assets, net
   
(110,511
)
   
(106,427
)
Security deposits and maintenance claims included in earnings
   
(34,458
)
   
(31,558
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
   
     
19,861
 
Equity-based compensation
   
1,128
     
2,623
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
123,399
     
155,780
 
Asset impairment
   
1,220
     
128,171
 
Change in deferred income taxes
   
5,974
     
14,923
 
Change in fair value of non-hedge derivative
   
     
(1,567
)
Change in fair value of guarantees
   
(1,677
)
   
 
Amortization of lease intangibles and incentives
   
33,685
     
30,315
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
6,429
     
17,142
 
Provision for credit losses
   
6,583
     
47,226
 
Other
   
(995
)
   
(693
)
Change in:
               
 Accounts receivable
   
(34,358
)
   
(61,892
)
 Inventory
   
(4,845
)
   
(13,370
)
 Other assets
   
(3,727
)
   
(23,576
)
 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
321
     
4,329
 
 Management fees payable to affiliate
   
824
     
(2,530
)
 Other liabilities
   
648
     
(7,955
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
116,766
     
(21,299
)
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Investment in unconsolidated entities
   
(19,500
)
   
(7,344
)
Principal collections on notes receivable
   
2,438
     
 
Principal collections on finance leases
   
3,624
     
2,165
 
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
   
     
(3,819
)
Acquisition of leasing equipment
   
(506,923
)
   
(360,642
)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
   
(3,906
)
   
(138,750
)
Acquisition of lease intangibles
   
(10,474
)
   
(6,542
)
Investment in promissory notes
   
(11,500
)
   
 
Purchase deposits for acquisitions
   
(10,533
)
   
(28,621
)
Proceeds from sale of leasing equipment
   
366,065
     
262,096
 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
     
5,289
 
(Refunds) proceeds for deposit on sale of aircraft and engine
   
(683
)
   
7,801
 
Return of purchase deposits
   
300
     
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(191,092
)
 
$
(268,367
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from debt
 
$
430,000
   
$
503,980
 
Repayment of debt
   
(330,000
)
   
(984,529
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(1,805
)
   
(18,151
)
Receipt of security deposits
   
7,355
     
2,636
 
Return of security deposits
   
(2,385
)
   
(941
)
Receipt of maintenance deposits
   
22,747
     
37,586
 
Release of maintenance deposits
   
(275
)
   
(878
)
Capital contributions from non-controlling interests
   
10
     
1,187
 
Settlement of equity-based compensation
   
     
(148
)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares, net of underwriter's discount and issuance costs
   
61,729
     
 
Dividend from spin-off of FTAI Infrastructure, net of cash transferred
   
     
500,562
 
Cash dividends - ordinary shares
   
(89,776
)
   
(98,584
)
Cash dividends - preferred shares
   
(23,460
)
   
(20,373
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
$
74,140
   
$
(77,653
)
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
(186
)
   
(367,319
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
   
53,065
     
440,061
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
52,879
   
$
72,742
 

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 income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
       
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
(in thousands)
 
2023
   
2022
   
Change
   
2023
   
2022
   
Change
 
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations
 
$
32,973
   
$
(10,938
)
 
$
43,911
   
$
101,997
   
$
(157,785
)
 
$
259,782
 
Add: Provision for income taxes
   
3,705
     
4,189
     
(484
)
   
7,586
     
7,357
     
229
 
Add: Equity-based compensation expense
   
510
     
     
510
     
1,128
     
     
1,128
 
Add: Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
4,261
     
2,848
     
1,413
     
10,195
     
8,340
     
1,855
 
Add: Losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations
   
     
19,861
     
(19,861
)
   
     
19,861
     
(19,861
)
Add: Changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Add: Asset impairment charges
   
     
4,495
     
(4,495
)
   
1,220
     
128,171
     
(126,951
)
Add: Incentive allocations
   
4,274
     
     
4,274
     
12,540
     
     
12,540
 
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
   
59,380
     
41,329
     
18,051
     
157,084
     
145,754
     
11,330
 
Add: Interest expense and dividends on preferred shares
   
48,519
     
46,962
     
1,557
     
141,436
     
152,570
     
(11,134
)
Add: Pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities (2)
   
642
     
(241
)
   
883
     
96
     
165
     
(69
)
Less: Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities
   
(46
)
   
358
     
(404
)
   
1,669
     
125
     
1,544
 
Less: Non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
 
$
154,218
   
$
108,863
   
$
45,355
   
$
434,951
   
$
304,558
   
$
130,393
 



(1) Includes the following items for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $43,959 and $34,853, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $3,726 and $3,291 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $11,695 and $3,185, respectively. Includes the following items for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $123,399 and $115,461, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $11,325 and $10,259 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $22,360 and $20,034, respectively.

(2) Includes the following items for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: (i) net income (loss) of $46 and $(358), (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $367 and $117 and (iii) acquisition and transaction expense of $229 and $0, respectively. Includes the following items for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: (i) net loss of $1,669 and $125, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $1,202 and $290 and (iii) acquisition and transaction expense of $563 and $0, respectively.


8