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): April 26, 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 April 26, 2023, FTAI Aviation Ltd. (“FTAI” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results for its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 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 April 26, 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: April 26, 2023
    


Exhibit 99.1

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

NEW YORK, April 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTAI) (the “Company” or “FTAI”) today reported financial results for the first 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
  
Q1’23
  
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders
  
$
22,606
  
Basic Earnings per Ordinary Share from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.23
  
Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share from Continuing Operations
  
$
0.22
  
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
  
$
127,656
  
 
(1)  For definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures, please refer to the exhibit to this press release.

First Quarter 2023 Dividends
 
On April 25, 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 March 31, 2023, payable on May 23, 2023 to the holders of record on May 12, 2023.
 
Additionally, on April 25, 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”), 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 March 31, 2023, payable on June 15, 2023 to the holders of record on June 1, 2023.
 
Business Highlights
 

 •
Quarterly Net Income Attributable to Shareholders growth of 13.0% versus Q4’22

•
39 modules sold in Q1’23 to 10 unique customers

•
Generated $195.1 million positive free cashflow available for asset acquisition & investment activity
 
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 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.
 
1
Conference Call
 
In addition, management will host a conference call on Thursday, April 27, 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/BIcf941a08770d4294aedae237f81c0494. 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 Thursday, April 27, 2023 through 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 4, 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
[email protected]

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 March 31
  
   
2023
    
2022
  
Revenues
            
Lease income
  
$
55,978
    
$
39,325
  
Maintenance revenue
    
35,141
      
36,732
  
Asset sales revenue
    
108,691
      
—
  
Aerospace products revenue
    
85,113
      
14,313
  
Other revenue
    
7,795
      
1,321
  
Total revenues
    
292,718
      
91,691
  
                 
Expenses
                
Cost of sales
    
145,670
      
9,050
  
Operating expenses
    
22,534
      
61,799
  
General and administrative
    
4,067
      
4,561
  
Acquisition and transaction expenses
    
3,262
      
2,273
  
Management fees and incentive allocation to affiliate
    
2,997
      
3
  
Depreciation and amortization
    
40,926
      
41,305
  
Asset impairment
    
1,220
      
122,790
  
Interest expense
    
39,292
      
44,139
  
Total expenses
    
259,968
      
285,920
  
                 
Other income (expense)
                
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated entities
    
(1,335
)
    
198
  
Gain on sale of assets, net
    
—
      
16,288
  
Other income
    
8
      
128
  
Total other (expense) income
    
(1,327
)
    
16,614
  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    
31,423
      
(177,615
)
Provision for income taxes
    
2,026
      
1,339
  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    
29,397
      
(178,954
)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    
—
      
(50,705
)
Net income (loss)
    
29,397
      
(229,659
)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries:
                
Continuing operations
    
—
      
—
  
Discontinued operations
    
—
      
(7,466
)
Less: Dividends on preferred shares
    
6,791
      
6,791
  
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders
  
$
22,606
    
$
(228,984
)
                 
Earnings (loss) per share:
                
Basic
                
Continuing operations
  
$
0.23
    
$
(1.87
)
Discontinued operations
  
$
—
    
$
(0.43
)
Diluted
                
Continuing operations
  
$
0.22
    
$
(1.87
)
Discontinued operations
  
$
—
    
$
(0.43
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                
Basic
    
99,728,245
      
99,336,877
  
Diluted
    
100,974,100
      
99,336,877
  

4
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
(Unaudited)
        
   
March 31, 2023
    
December 31, 2022
  
Assets
            
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
40,994
    
$
33,565
  
Restricted cash
    
—
      
19,500
  
Accounts receivable, net
    
113,547
      
99,443
  
Leasing equipment, net
    
1,849,662
      
1,913,553
  
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    
11,438
      
10,014
  
Investments
    
40,202
      
22,037
  
Intangible assets, net
    
45,729
      
41,955
  
Inventory, net
    
192,790
      
163,676
  
Other assets
    
147,082
      
125,834
  
Total assets
  
$
2,441,444
    
$
2,429,577
  
                 
Liabilities
                
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  
$
105,066
    
$
86,452
  
Debt, net
    
2,101,907
      
2,175,727
  
Maintenance deposits
    
93,703
      
78,686
  
Security deposits
    
33,768
      
32,842
  
Other liabilities
    
32,844
      
36,468
  
Total liabilities
  
$
2,367,288
    
$
2,410,175
  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
                
                 
Equity
                
Ordinary shares ($0.01 par value per share; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized; 99,728,786 and 99,716,621 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
  
$
997
    
$
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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
    
159
      
133
  
Additional paid in capital
    
368,681
      
343,350
  
Accumulated deficit
    
(296,205
)
    
(325,602
)
Shareholders' equity
    
73,632
      
18,878
  
Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
    
524
      
524
  
Total equity
  
$
74,156
    
$
19,402
  
Total liabilities and equity
  
$
2,441,444
    
$
2,429,577
  
 
5
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
   
2023
    
2022
  
Cash flows from operating activities:
            
Net income (loss)
  
$
29,397
    
$
(229,659
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
    
1,335
      
24,013
  
Gain on sale of assets, net
    
(31,657
)
    
(16,288
)
Security deposits and maintenance claims included in earnings
    
(9,842
)
    
(11,592
)
Equity-based compensation
    
108
      
709
  
Depreciation and amortization
    
40,926
      
58,301
  
Asset impairment
    
1,220
      
122,790
  
Change in deferred income taxes
    
1,692
      
2,388
  
Change in fair value of non-hedge derivatives
    
—
      
766
  
Change in fair value of guarantees
    
(1,769
)
    
—
  
Amortization of lease intangibles and incentives
    
7,844
      
12,013
  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    
2,017
      
5,771
  
Provision for credit losses
    
475
      
47,914
  
Other
    
(326
)
    
(208
)
Change in:
                
Accounts receivable
    
(14,840
)
    
8,619
  
Inventory
    
6,984
      
(6,044
)
Other assets
    
(2,013
)
    
(4,221
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    
6,088
      
(16,597
)
Management fees payable to affiliate
    
(386
)
    
(158
)
Other liabilities
    
1,444
      
3,406
  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    
38,697
      
1,923
  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                
Investment in unconsolidated entities
    
(19,500
)
    
(1,637
)
Principal collections on finance leases
    
—
      
67
  
Acquisition of leasing equipment
    
(127,513
)
    
(219,440
)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
    
(1,451
)
    
(54,661
)
Acquisition of lease intangibles
    
(8,640
)
    
(5,282
)
Purchase deposit for acquisitions
    
(9,940
)
    
(3,350
)
Proceeds from sale of leasing equipment
    
153,679
      
51,491
  
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    
—
      
2,910
  
Proceeds for deposit on sale of aircraft and engine
    
1,042
      
1,775
  
Net cash used in investing activities
  
$
(12,323
)
  
$
(228,127
)

6
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
   
2023
    
2022
  
Cash flows from financing activities:
            
Proceeds from debt
  
$
145,000
    
$
408,980
  
Repayment of debt
    
(220,000
)
    
(224,473
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
    
—
      
(10,818
)
Receipt of security deposits
    
1,459
      
1,075
  
Return of security deposits
    
(65
)
    
—
  
Receipt of maintenance deposits
    
10,142
      
10,836
  
Release of maintenance deposits
    
—
      
(250
)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares, net of underwriter's discount and issuance costs
    
61,729
      
—
  
Cash dividends - ordinary shares
    
(29,919
)
    
(32,749
)
Cash dividends - preferred shares
    
(6,791
)
    
(6,791
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    
(38,445
)
    
145,810
  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
    
(12,071
)
    
(80,394
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
    
53,065
      
440,061
  
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
  
$
40,994
    
$
359,667
  

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 to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31
  
(in thousands)
  
2023
    
2022
  
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations
  
$
22,606
    
$
(185,745
)
Add: Provision for income taxes
    
2,026
      
1,339
  
Add: Equity-based compensation expense
    
108
      
—
  
Add: Acquisition and transaction expenses
    
3,262
      
2,273
  
Add: Losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations
    
—
      
—
  
Add: Changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments
    
—
      
—
  
Add: Asset impairment charges
    
1,220
      
122,790
  
Add: Incentive allocations
    
2,942
      
—
  
Add: Depreciation & amortization expense (1)
    
48,770
      
53,317
  
Add: Interest expense and dividends on preferred shares
    
46,083
      
50,930
  
Add: Pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities (2)
    
(696
)
    
254
  
Less: Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated entities
    
1,335
      
(198
)
Less: Non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA
    
—
      
—
  
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
  
$
127,656
    
$
44,690
  
 
(1) Includes the following items for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $40,926 and $41,305, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $3,983 and $3,658 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $3,861 and $8,354, respectively.
(2) Includes the following items for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022: (i) net (loss) income of $(1,335) and $198, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $400 and $56, and (iii) acquisition and transaction expenses of $239 and $0, respectively.


8