Volato Group, Inc 10-Q for FY2024 Q1
Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR)
10-Q
2024-05-15
For: 2024-03-31
View Original
Added on
April 08, 2026
About this 10-Q
Volato Group, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 15, 2024, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (FY2024 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $13.21M
- down 15.7% from $15.67M a year earlier
- Net loss
- $17.39M
- compared with a net loss of $7.52M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$0.60
- compared with -$0.67 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________________
FORM 10-Q
_____________________________
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
OR
For the Transition Period From to
Commission File Number 001-41104
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
4522 | ||||||||||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | ||||||||||||
Telephone: 844 -399-8998
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer | o | Accelerated Filer | o | |||||||||||
| x | Smaller Reporting Company | |||||||||||||
| 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
As of May 10, 2024 there were 29,258,087 shares of common stock outstanding.
Table of Contents
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Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are “forward- looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward- looking statements may appear throughout this report, including the following sections: “Risk Factors” (Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q), and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10- Q). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward -looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. We describe certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report and similarly titled sections in and the section entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VOLATO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except par value amounts)
March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Deposits | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease, right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Equity-method investment | |||||||||||
| Deposits | |||||||||||
| Forward purchase agreement | |||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Intangibles, net | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Loan from related party | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liability | |||||||||||
| Merger transaction costs payable in shares | |||||||||||
| Credit facility and other loans | |||||||||||
| Customer deposits and deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred income tax liability | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liability, non-current | |||||||||||
| Credit facility, non-current | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Common Stock Class A, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | ||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
VOLATO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | |||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other income (expenses): | |||||||||||
| Gain from sale of consolidated entity | |||||||||||
| Gain from sale of equity-method investment | |||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||
| Loss from change in fair value forward purchase agreement | ( | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other expenses | ( | ||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Provision for incomes taxes | |||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Weighted average common share outstanding: | |||||||||||
Basic and diluted | |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
VOLATO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(Amounts in thousands, except shares)
Class A Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Subscription Receivable | Retained Deficit | Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2022, As adjusted | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Deficit | Total Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant reclass from in-kind liability to APIC | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.
6
VOLATO GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
| For the Three months ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization expense | |||||||||||
| Stock compensation expense | |||||||||||
| Gain from sale of equity-method investments | ( | ||||||||||
| Gain from sale of consolidated entity | ( | ||||||||||
| Gain from equity-method investments | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Amortization right-of-use asset | |||||||||||
| Amortization of debt discount | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value forward purchase agreement | |||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Deposits | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Account payable and accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liability | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Customer deposits and deferred revenue | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Cash payment for property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of interest in equity-method investment | |||||||||||
| Payment for the purchase of equity-method investments | ( | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of consolidated entity | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from lines of credit | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes | |||||||||||
| Repayment on loans | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net decrease in cash | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year | |||||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: | |||||||||||
| Credit facility for the aircraft deposits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Original debt discount | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.
7
VOLATO GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2024
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Volato Group, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “the Company”, or “Volato”) was founded in 2021. On December 1, 2023, Volato, Inc. (“Legacy Volato”), a Georgia corporation, PROOF Acquisition Corp I, a Delaware corporation (“PACI”) and PACI Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of PACI (“Merger Sub”), merged with and into Legacy Volato, with Legacy Volato surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PACI. In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), PACI changed its name to “Volato Group, Inc.”. Legacy Volato was deemed the accounting acquirer in the business combination. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the business combination was treated as the equivalent of Legacy Volato issuing stock for the net assets of PACI, accompanied by a recapitalization. Under this method of accounting, PACI who was the legal acquirer, is treated as the “acquired” company (“accounting acquiree”) for financial reporting purposes. The net assets of PACI are stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. The equity structure has been restated in all comparative periods up to the closing date to reflect the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, issued to Legacy Volato stockholders in connection with the business combination.
As a result of the business combination, the shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share related to Legacy Volato’s common stock prior to the business combination have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio established in the Merger Agreement. Stock was retroactively adjusted, converted into Common Stock, and reclassified to permanent as a result of the reverse recapitalization.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Going concern, liquidity, and capital resources
The Company has only recently been formed, has limited operating history, has recorded a net loss of $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, has a negative working capital of $11.7 million, and has an accumulated deficit of $81.1 million as of March 31, 2024. Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $7.7 million.
These above matters raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. During the next twelve months, the Company intends to fund its operations through the issuance of financial instruments including debts or equity, extend the use of its line of credit and the sale of aircraft at a premium to cost.
The Company also has the ability to reduce cash burn to preserve capital. Accordingly, management believes that its current cash position, along with its anticipated revenue growth and proceeds from future debt and/or equity financings, when combined with greater fleet utilization and prudent expense management, will allow the Company to continue as a going concern and to fund its operations for at least one year from the date these financials are available.
There are no assurances, however, that management will be able to raise capital or debt on terms acceptable to the Company. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient additional capital, the Company may be required to reduce the near-term scope of its planned development and operations, which could delay implementation of the Company’s business plan and harm its business, financial condition, and operating results. The balance sheet does not include any adjustments that might result from these uncertainties.
8
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Basis of presentation
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in 2023 have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Volato, Inc., a company incorporated in the State of Georgia, Gulf Coast Aviation, Inc. sometimes referred to as Volato Aircraft Management Service (“VAMS”), a company incorporated in the State of Texas, GC Aviation, Inc., a company incorporated in the State of Texas, Fly Vaunt, LLC, a company incorporated in the State of Georgia, and Fly Dreams LLC, until March 3, 2023.
One of the components of the Company’s business model includes the sale of aircraft and ownership program. The aircraft ownership program is a model whereby the Company sells each floating fleet aircraft to a limited liability company (“Plane Co”). The Plane Co, which is owned by third-party owners, leases the aircraft back to the Company for management and charter operations on behalf of the LLC under 14 C.F.R. Part 135 certificate.
The Company does not hold any controlling interest in any Plane Co as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Each Plane Co is set up to acquire and own one aircraft pursuant to the HondaJet aircraft purchase agreement executed with the Company. Each Plane Co was managed by PDK Management LLC until June 2023, an entity whose sole member is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, through an operating agreement, and by Volato, Inc starting in July 2023.
Fly Dreams holds the Federal Aviation Agency (“FAA”) certificate and conducts air carrier operations through an aircraft charter Management and Dry Lease Agreement with each of the Plane Co’s. On March 3, 2023, Legacy Volato transferred its Fly Dreams LLC operation to GCA and sold all of its membership interest in Fly Dreams LLC, including Fly Dreams FAA part 135 Certificate. Legacy Volato now conducts its operations under GCA FAA Part 135 Certificate. The selling price was $550 thousand, which resulted in the recognition of $387 thousand in gain, which is presented in other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
The Company does not hold any controlling interest in any limited liability companies as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company only holds de minimis interest in one Plane Co as of March 31, 2024, respectively.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include:
•Useful lives of property, plant, and equipment.
•Assumptions used in valuing equity instruments.
•Deferred income taxes and related valuation allowance.
•Assessment of long-lived assets impairment.
•Assumptions used in the valuation of the forward purchase agreement
9
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Cash and restricted cash
Investment - Equity Method
The Company accounts for its equity method investment at cost, adjusted for the Company’s share of the investee’s earnings or losses, which is reported under other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company periodically reviews its investment for other than temporary declines in fair value below cost and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Accounts Receivable
The Company recognized zero
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from to seven years :
| Classification | Life | |||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||
| Automobiles | ||||||||
| Computer and office equipment | ||||||||
| Website development costs | ||||||||
Computer Software Development
Software development costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal Use Software. Internal software development costs are capitalized from the time the internal use software is considered probable of completion until the software is ready for use. Business analysis, system evaluation and software maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
The capitalized computer software development costs are reported under the section fixed assets, net in the consolidated balance sheet and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three years from when the asset is placed in service. The Company capitalized zero and $323 thousand of internal software development costs during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and the twelve months ended December 31 2023, respectively. The Company also expenses internal costs related to minor upgrades and enhancements, as it is impractical to separate these costs from normal maintenance activities.
10
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Website development cost
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets:
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 (the “Fair Value Topic”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The Company measures fair value under a framework that utilizes a hierarchy prioritizing the inputs to relevant valuation techniques. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of inputs used in measuring fair value are:
▪Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company as the ability to access.
▪Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
•Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
•Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets.
•Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
•Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market date by correlation or other means; and
•If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
▪Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
11
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
The following table presents balances of the forward purchase agreement with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of March 31, 2024, in thousands:
| Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Forward Purchase Agreement | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents changes of the forward purchase agreement with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, in thousands:
| Forward Purchase Agreement | |||||
| Balance December 31, 2023 | $ | ||||
| Change in fair value | ( | ||||
| Balance March 31, 2024 | $ | ||||
The Company measures the forward purchase agreement using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using the following assumptions:
| Three months ended March 31, 2024 | |||||
| Volume Weighted average stock price ("VWAP") | $ | ||||
| Initial Price | $ | ||||
| Expected Volatility | |||||
| Term | |||||
| Risk-free Rate | |||||
Commitments and contingencies
12
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own Common Stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent reporting period end date while the warrants are outstanding. All of the Company’s warrants have met the criteria for equity treatment.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized on a gross basis and presented on the consolidated statements of operations net of rebates, discounts, and taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities. The transaction price in the Company’s contracts with its customers is fixed at the time control of goods and services are transferred to the customer. Therefore, the Company does not estimate variable consideration or perform a constraint analysis for our contracts.
The Company determines revenue recognition pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, through the following steps:
1.Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer.
2.Identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract.
3.Determination of the transaction price.
4.Allocation of the transaction to the performance obligation(s) in the contract.
The Company generates revenue primarily through three sources: (i) the sale of aircraft, (ii) charter flights which include deposit products, retail and wholesale charter flights and owner flights, and (iii) aircraft management services. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised service is transferred to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies, as a performance obligation, each promise to transfer a good or service to a customer that is distinct. To identify its performance obligations, the Company considers all of the goods and services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices.
For each revenue stream, we evaluate whether our obligation is to provide the good or service itself, as the principal or to arrange for the good or service to be provided by the other party, as the agent, using the control model. For certain services provided to the customer, primarily in our aircraft management services revenue stream, the Company directs third-party providers to assist in our fulfillment of the performance obligation in contracts with our customers. Any cost reimbursements and third-party costs are recognized in revenue on a gross basis as Volato has pre-negotiated these costs and takes a certain amount of risk that it will not fully recover the costs incurred. In such circumstances, the Company is primarily responsible for satisfying the overall performance obligation with the customer and is considered the principal in the relationship because the Company has the ability to direct the third parties to provide services to our customers.
Aircraft sales only requires the delivery of the aircraft.
13
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Volato also generates revenues from charter flights for owners, deposit products, retail customers and wholesale charter brokers. Deposit products are a complementary set of products available to retail charter customers whereby the customer makes a deposit in exchange for certain charter product offerings of the Company to be provided in the future. Charter flights are flights offered to retail and non-retail charter customers in exchange for a fee. The contracts generally consist of one performance obligation and revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of our promised services, which generally occurs upon the flight hours being used during the period which the chartered flights were operated. The Company’s contract for charter services outlines the transaction price in advance. Non-owner flights typically require payment in advance. Other charter services are due upon completion of the services. The contracts include cancellation penalty charges as a percentage of the original flight based on the time of cancellation and the type of flight. Itinerary changes may result in a price change prior to the occurrence of the flight. If the total flight itinerary cannot be completed due to any reason (other than customer cancellation or no show), the charter customer is responsible for only the portion of the itinerary that can be completed, and any advance payment is refunded.
The Company’s aircraft management services are a full-service management and charter operator including dry leasing airplanes from owners, placing aircrafts on our FAA Air Carrier Certificate, operating the aircraft for owner flights and chartering the aircraft to customers. Under the aircraft management services revenues stream, aircraft owners pay management fees to the Company plus all operating expenses for the aircraft, maintenance, crew hiring and management, flight operations, dispatch, hangar, fuel, cleaning, insurance, and aircraft charter marketing. Revenues from aircraft management services consist of one performance obligation to provide management airplane management services. Revenue is partially recognized overtime for the administrative portion of the service, and partially recognized at a point in time, generally upon the transfer of control of the promised services included as part of the management services. Revenue recognized over time was $1.6 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All other revenue was recognized upon the transfer of control of the promised services.
The Company’s contracts for managing aircraft provide for fixed monthly management fees and reimbursement of operating expenses at a predetermined margin. Generally, contracts require two months advance deposit of estimated expenses.
In accordance with ASC 606, contract assets are to be recognized when an entity has the right to receive consideration in exchange for goods or services that have been transferred to a customer. Also, in accordance with ASC 606, contract liabilities are to be recognized when an entity is obligated to transfer goods or services for which consideration has already been received. The Company recognizes contract liabilities for any advance payments from customers primarily associated with its deposit products and charter flights as well as aircraft management services revenue streams. Deposits that are provided under the Company’s Insider Membership program or the Company’s Stretch Card agreements are treated as contract liabilities when the funds are received and are reduced as the flights are utilized. Any deposits that are not utilized over the 24-month term of the agreements, which end upon being forfeited if the agreements are not renewed, would be recognized as revenues at the time they are forfeited. Occasionally, we offer credits to customers of the Company’s Insider and Stretch Card agreements in excess of the cash deposit received as an incentive offering. These credits are non-refundable and are recorded as a contract liability until they are either used or expired. The Company does not offer their customer a significant financing component as part of the arrangement because the period between the transfer of service to a customer and when the customer pays for the service is one year or less or the timing and the transfer of the services is at the discretion of the customer.
Contract liabilities consist of customer prepayments and the aircraft deposits referred to above. Total contract liabilities were $19.0 million and $12.9 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
The Company generated $13.2 million of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2024 broken down as follows, in thousands:
| Aircraft sales | $ | ||||
| Charter flight revenue | |||||
| Aircraft Management revenue | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
14
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
The Company generated $15.7 million of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023 broken down as follows, in thousands:
| Aircraft sales | $ | ||||
| Charter flight revenue | |||||
| Aircraft management revenue | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
Income taxes
The Company follows Section 740-10-30 of the FASB ASC, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the fiscal year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company follows the guidance of 740-10-25 of the FASB ASC (“Section 740-10-25”) with regards to uncertainty in income taxes. Section 740-10-25 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under Section 740-10-25, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent (50%) likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Section 740-10-25 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures. The Company had no material adjustments to its assets and/or liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits according to the provisions of Section 740-10-25.
Stock-based compensation
The Company accounts for equity-based compensation using the fair value method as set forth in the ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards based on estimated fair values. This method requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based compensation on the date of grant using an option pricing model. The Company estimates the fair value of each equity-based payment award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model.
The Black-Scholes model determines the fair value of equity-based payment awards based on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and requires the use of estimates and assumptions, including the fair value of the Company’s common stock, exercise price of the stock option, expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and dividend rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility of its stock options by taking the average historical volatility of a group of comparable publicly traded companies over a period equal to the expected life of the options; it is not practical for the Company to estimate its own volatility due to the lack of historical prices. The expected term of the options is determined in accordance with existing equity agreements as the underlying options are assumed to be exercised upon the passage of time. The risk-free interest rate is the estimated average interest rate based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon notes with terms consistent with the expected life of the awards. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company does not anticipate paying any recurring cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
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NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Net loss per share
The Company has 2,289,159 and 2,478,020 outstanding stock options to purchase an equivalent number of common stock at March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The Company also has 29,026,000 11.50
Concentration of Credit Risk
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets other than goodwill consists of acquired finite-lived customer relationships and acquired indefinite-lived Part 135 air carrier certificate. At initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized at their fair value as of the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, finite-lived intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, which was determined based on management’s estimate of the period over which the asset will contribute to our future cash flows.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in our business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include a significant adverse change in business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends, or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill.
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NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Segment Reporting
The Company identifies operating segments as components of the Company. for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions regarding resource allocation and performance assessment. The chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer. We determined that the Company operates in a single operating and reportable segment, private aviation services, as the chief operating decision maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenue and cost of revenue for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and assessing performance. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the U.S. and revenue from private aviation services is substantially earned from flights throughout the U.S.
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue includes costs that are directly related to the related revenue streams – charter flights, aircraft management, aircraft sales. Cost of revenue includes expenses incurred to provide flight services and facilitate operations, including aircraft lease costs, fuel, crew travel, maintenance, compensation expenses and related benefits for employees that directly facilitate flight operations including crew and pilots and certain aircraft operating costs such as landing fees and parking. Cost of revenue for the aircraft sales revenue includes cost of the aircraft.
Advertising Costs
Variable Interest Entity (VIE) Accounting
The Company evaluates its ownership, contractual relationships, and other interests in entities to determine the nature and extent of the interests, whether such interests are variable interests and whether the entities are VIEs in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidations. These evaluations can be complex and involve Management judgment as well as the use of estimates and assumptions based on available historical information, among other factors. Based on these evaluations, if the Company determines that it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, this VIE entity is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements.
Each Plane Co is managed by PDK Management LLC, an entity whose sole member is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, through an operating agreement until July 2023. The Company does not have the obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to the VIE or the right to receive significant benefits when it holds a minority ownership in each PlaneCo. The Company did not consolidate any variable interest entities as of March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
Leases
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NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES –(CONTINUED)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments included in ASU 2016-13 require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Although the new standard, known as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, has a greater impact on financial institutions, most other organizations with financial instruments or other assets (trade receivables, contract assets, lease receivables, financial guarantees, loans and loan commitments, and held-to-maturity (HTM) debt securities) are subject to the CECL model and will need to use forward-looking information to better evaluate their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 was originally effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. In November of 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, which delayed the implementation of ASU 2016-13 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years for smaller reporting companies. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the Financial Account Standard Board “FASB” issued Accounting Standards Update “ASU” 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which modifies the disclosure and presentation requirements of reportable segments. The amendments in the update require the disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker “CODM” and included within each reported measure of segment profit and loss. The amendments also require disclosure of all other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition. Additionally, the amendments require disclosure of the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the presentation of its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which expands disclosures in an entity’s income tax rate reconciliation table and disclosures regarding cash taxes paid both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The update will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the presentation of its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
The Company has evaluated all the recent accounting pronouncements and determined that there are no accounting pronouncements that will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 – BUSINESS COMBINATION
As discussed in Note 1, on December 1, 2023, the Company consummated the business combination pursuant to the merger agreement. The business combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, Proof Acquisition Corp I or PACI, who was the legal acquirer, was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the business combination was treated as the equivalent of Legacy Volato issuing stock for the net assets of PACI, accompanied by a recapitalization.
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NOTE 4–INTANGIBLES
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of finite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||
Intangible asset amortization expense was $15
As of March 31, 2024, future amortization expense is expected to be as follows, in thousands:
| Amount | ||||||||
| 2024 | $ | |||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||
| 2027 | ||||||||
| $ | ||||||||
Indefinite - Lived Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the balances as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Intangible asset - Part 135 certificate | $ | $ | |||||||||
The FAA Part 135 certificate for a total amount of $1.2 million relates to the certificate acquired from the GCA acquisition.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company transferred its Fly Dreams LLC operations to GCA and sold its membership interest in Fly Dreams LLC, including Fly Dreams FAA Part 135 Certificate, with a carrying balance of $163 thousand, for a selling price of $550 thousand, which resulted in a gain in the amount of $387 thousand, which was reported in other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company did not
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NOTE 5 - MERGER TRANSACTION COSTS PAYABLE
Merger transaction cost payable consist of the following as of December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Transaction costs payable in common stock | $ | |||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||
In connection with the business combination, the Company entered into three agreements (the “Agreements”) with financial institutions, in which a success fee in the aggregate amount of $4.25 million will be paid by the Company to the financial institutions in case the Company consummates the acquisition. The success fees, or portion thereof, were to be paid in the Company’s shares of common stock.
ASC 480 Distinguishing Liabilities From Equity requires liability classification for all instruments that embodies an unconditional obligation that the Company must or may settle by issuing a variable number of its equity shares, if, at inception, the monetary value of the obligation is based solely on a fixed monetary amount know at inception. As a result, the Company classified such liability in current liabilities as of December 31, 2023. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate number of 1,208,180 shares of Class A common stock in full settlement of such liability (see note 20). In January 2024, the Company issued 1,208,180 shares of Class A common stock and 100,000 warrants in full settlement of the merger transaction costs in the amount of $4.25 million which was payable to three (3 ) financial institutions. Such liability was accrued for and reported under merger transaction costs payable in shares in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023.
NOTE 6 – FORWARD PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On November 28, 2023, PACI, the Company (PACI is referred to as the counterparty prior to the closing while the Company is referred to as the counterparty after the closing) and Vellar Opportunities Fund Master, Ltd. (“Seller”), entered into an agreement (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) for an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Forward Purchase Transaction”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Forward Purchase Agreement, the Seller intends, but is not obligated, to purchase prior to the closing up to 2.0 million shares (the “Maximum Number of Shares”) of the Company from third parties through a broker in the open market. The Number of Shares subject to a Forward Purchase Agreement is subject to reduction following a termination of the Forward Purchase Agreement with respect to such shares as described under “Optional Early Termination” in the respective Forward Purchase Agreement.
The Forward Purchase Agreement provides that the Seller will be paid directly an aggregate cash amount (the “Prepayment Amount”) equal to the product of (i) the number of shares as set forth in the pricing date notice and (ii) the redemption price paid by the Company on the closing date to holders of its common stock who exercised their redemption rights in connection with the business combination (the “Initial Price”).
From time to time and on any date following the business combination, the seller may, in its absolute discretion, terminate the Forward Purchase Agreement in whole or in part by providing written notice to the Counterparty that specifies the quantity by which the number of shares shall be reduced.
The valuation date (the “Valuation Date”) for the Forward Purchase Agreement will be the earliest to occur of (a) the date that is 24 months after the closing date, (b) the date specified by seller in a written notice to be delivered to the counterparty at seller’s discretion (which Valuation Date shall not be earlier than the day such notice is effective) after the occurrence of any of (w) a VWAP (“Volume Weighted Average Price”) trigger event (defined when the VWAP price, for any twenty trading days during a thirty consecutive trading-day period, is below $1.00 per share) (x) a delisting event, or (y) a registration failure and (c) the date specified by Seller in a written notice to be delivered to Counterparty at Seller’s sole discretion.
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On the Cash Settlement Payment Date, which is the 70 th trading day immediately following the Maturity Date, Seller shall pay the Company a cash amount equal to (1) the number of shares as of the valuation date multiplied by (2) the closing price of the Shares on the business day immediately preceding the valuation date.
In all other cases, the Seller shall pay the Company a cash amount equal to (1) the number of shares as of the valuation date multiplied by the VWAP Price over the valuation period less (2) the settlement amount adjustment.
The settlement amount adjustment is equal to the product of (1) (a) the maximum number of Shares less (b) any terminated shares as of the valuation date, multiplied by (2) $1.50 .
NOTE7– FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets consist of the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Machine and equipment | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Automobiles | |||||||||||
| Website development costs | |||||||||||
| Computer and office equipment | |||||||||||
| Software development costs | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
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NOTE 8 – DEPOSITS
Deposits consist of the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Deposits on aircraft | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other deposits | |||||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less current portion | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total deposits, non-current | $ | $ | |||||||||
Below is a breakdown of the deposits on aircraft as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousand:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Gulfstream aircraft deposits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Honda aircraft deposits | |||||||||||
| Total deposits on aircraft | $ | ||||||||||
| Less current portion | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total deposits on aircraft non-current | $ | $ | |||||||||
Gulfstream Aerospace, LP
In 2022, the Company executed a series of purchase agreements with Gulfstream Aerospace, LP for the acquisition of four (4 ) Gulfstream G 280 aircraft for total consideration of $79 million with expected delivery throughout fiscal year 2025.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company funded an additional amount of $6 million, of which $6 million was funded through the SAC Leasing G 280 line of credit. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company funded $4.5 million pursuant to the terms of the executed purchase agreements, of which $3.0 million was funded through SAC leasing G 280 Line of credit and $1.5 million paid directly by the Company.
The Company funded an aggregate amount of $45 million and $39 million towards the acquisition price of the four
HondaJet
The Company entered into aircraft purchase agreements with Honda Aircraft Company LLC, under which it paid $1.5 million and $1.3 million of deposits for aircraft not yet delivered at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company took delivery of one aircraft for a purchase price of $5.5 million.
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NOTE 9 – EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT
The Company has the following equity method investments at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Investment in Volato 158 LLC | $ | $ | |||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||
The Company has one 3.125
Volato 158 LLC
In August 2021, the Company executed an aircraft purchase agreement with Volato 158 LLC (“158 LLC”) and contributed an aircraft with a carrying amount of $4.2 million to 158 LLC for a 100 % membership interest in 158 LLC. The investment in 158 LLC was initially consolidated as the Company had a controlling financial interest in 158 LLC.
NOTE 10 – REVOLVING LOAN AND PROMISSORY NOTE- RELATED PARTY
Revolving loan and promissory note with a related party consisted of the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousands:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
Dennis Liotta, March 2023 – | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total notes from related party - current | $ | $ | |||||||||
Dennis Liotta (father of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) – March 2022 Secured revolving note:
On December 9, 2021, the Company entered into a revolving loan agreement with Dennis Liotta, an affiliate of the Company, for a total amount of $8.0 million that matured on January 1, 2023 (“March 2022 note”). The Company was required to make monthly payments of interest at a fixed rate of 4.0 % per annum. The Company was required to make principal repayments at fixed scheduled dates. In the event of default, the entire unpaid principal balance together with all accrued but unpaid interest shall be due and payable regardless of the maturity date. If the default occurs and remains uncured beyond the applicable grace period, then the entire unpaid principal balance shall bear interest at a default interest of 500 basis points (5 %) over the regular interest or nine percent (9 %). Events of default include the failure to make principal or interest payments when due, any judgement in excess of $500 , indebtedness cross default, or bankruptcy proceedings.
In conjunction with the execution of the revolving note, both parties executed a security agreement, under which the Company granted a continuing security interest in all of the assets of the Company. The Company did not make its interest payments, thus triggering a default and increasing the interest rate to 9 % plus an additional 5 % on the missed payments. The Company incurred $370 thousand in interest and penalties during the three month ended March 31, 2023.
In the first quarter of 2023, the Company converted the unpaid principal balance of this revolving note and accrued interest into a convertible note for total principal balance of $6.0 million.
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Dennis Liotta (father of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) – March 2023 promissory note
On March 15, 2023, the Company entered into a promissory note agreement with Dennis Liotta, an affiliate of the Company, for a total amount of $1 million, with an effective date of February 27, 2023, which matures on March 31, 2024 (“March 2023 note”). The entire outstanding principal balance together with accrued but unpaid interest are due at the maturity date. The March 2023 note includes a ten percent (10 %) interest rate per annum, which will be increased to twenty percent (20 %) upon an event of default. Events of default include the failure to make any principal and accrued interest when due, any legal proceedings against the Company or a voluntary federal bankruptcy. The March 2023 note may be prepaid at any time without penalties. Promissory note from related party was $1.0
The Company incurred $23 thousand and $109 thousand of interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Accrued interest was $109 thousand as of March 31, 2024.
NOTE 11 – CREDIT FACILITY AND OTHER LOANS
Credit facility and other loans consisted of the following at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, in thousand:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
SAC Leasing G280 LLC credit facility, | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less discounts | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total credit facility, net of discount | $ | ||||||||||
SAC Leasing G280 LLC Line of credit
In 2022, the Company executed a series of purchase agreements with Gulfstream Aerospace, LP for the acquisition of four (4 ) Gulfstream G-280 aircraft for total consideration of $79.0 million with expected deliveries in 2024 and 2025, of which an aggregate amount of $45.0 million was funded and paid as of March 31, 2024, partially through a credit facility from SAC leasing G 280.
During the period ended March 31, 2024, the Company funded an additional $6.0 million through the SAC Leasing G280 credit facility.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company increased its SAC leasing G280 line of credit by $6.0 million, which brings the carrying balance at $33.8 million as of March 31, 2024.
The Company incurred $45 thousand and $548 thousand of incremental closing costs, which are reported as debt discount against the liability in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company amortized to interest expense $47 thousand and $29 thousand of debt discount, respectively.
The maturity date is the earlier of the delivery date of the aircraft or September 14, 2025, which is thirty-five (35 ) months from the date of funding. The purchase agreement contracts were assigned to SAC G280 LLC as collateral on this credit facility.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company incurred $1.1 million and $222 thousand of interest under this facility, respectively.
The Company entered into the pre-delivery payment agreement on October 5, 2022, with SAC Leasing G280, LLC to obtain loans in the aggregate amount of $40.5 million for the purchase of four (4 ) Gulfstream G280 aircraft to be delivered in 2024 and 2025. The Board of Directors consented to the participation of Coastal States Bank, as a syndicate lender in the financing of additional aircraft by SAC Leasing G280 LLC. On August 25, 2023, the Company and SAC Leasing V280, LLC entered into the first amendment to pre-delivery payment agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had an aggregate amount of $34.5 million in promissory notes, of which 60 % was sole to Coastal States Bank pursuant to the first amendment.
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NOTE 12 – RELATED PARTIES
Argand Group LLC (jointly owned by the Chief Executive Officer and his wife as Vice President of Legal)
As of March 31, 2024, Argand Group LLC owns an aggregate 3,466,153 shares of Class A common stock of Volato Group, Inc. representing 10.8 % of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock.
PDK Management LLC (Chief Executive Officer is the sole member)
The Company facilitates the formation of limited liability plane companies (earlier defined as “Plane Co”), which are then funded by third party members prior to the sale and delivery of an aircraft purchased from Honda Aircraft Company that will enter into the Company’s fractional program. Each Plane Co is governed by an operating agreement and managed by PDK Management LLC, an entity whose sole member is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer until June 2023.
The aggregate amount of revenue generated from Plane Co’s totaled $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Expenses charged to the Company by Plane Co’s totaled $1.2 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Balance due to Plane Cos amounted to $0.4 million and $0.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Liotta Family Office, LLC (60 % owned by the father of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, 20 % owned by the brother of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and 20 % owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer)
Liotta Family Office, LLC currently owns 1,859,288 shares of Class A common stock, which represents 6.4 % of the issued and outstanding Class A common stock as of March 31, 2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Liotta Family Office, LLC entered into an unsecured promissory note for a total amount of $1.0 million (Note 10). The Company incurred $23 thousand of interest during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Accrued interest was $109 thousand as of March 31, 2024.
Aircraft Lease and Charter Services
As part of Volato’s aircraft ownership program, Volato leases a HondaJet HA-420 aircraft from Volato 158, LLC (“158LLC”), the Company’s equity-method investment, which is 25 % owned by DCL H&I, LLC (“DCL”). Dennis Liotta (The Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s father) and his spouse own 100 % of DCL. Under the terms of an aircraft dry lease, 158 LLC pays Volato a monthly management fee of $38 thousand, and Volato AMS pays 158 LLC an hourly rental rate of $1 thousand per revenue flight hour. The lease expires on August 20, 2026.
Hoop Capital, LLC (Controlled by the Company’s Chief Commercial Officer and a director)
As of March 31, 2024, Hoop Capital LLC owned an aggregate of 3,466,153 shares of Class A common stock in Volato Group, Inc. which represents 11.8 % of outstanding Class A Common stock.
Matthew Liotta 2021 Trust (the “Liotta Trust”)
As of March 31, 2024, the Liotta Trust owned an aggregate of 174,338 shares of Class A common stock of Volato Group, Inc.
NOTE 13 – INCOME TAXES
Management has determined that the Company does not have any uncertain tax positions and associated unrecognized benefits that would impact the consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
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NOTE 14 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
On December 1, 2023, the Company filed its Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the State of Delaware. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 81,000,000 shares, consisting of 80,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
Stock Options - Equity Incentive Plans
Summary of the 2021 Plan (“2021 Plan”)
The 2021 Plan became effective on August 13, 2021, and will remain in effect until August 12, 2031, unless terminated earlier by the Board. As of the effective date of the business combination, each then-outstanding unexercised option (whether vested or unvested) to purchase shares of Legacy Volato Common Stock granted under the 2021 Plan was assumed by Volato Group and was converted into a stock option (a “Volato Group option”) to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock of Volato Group, par value $0.0001 per share, in accordance with the business combination agreement. No shares remained available for the grant of awards.
Summary of the 2023 Plan (“2023 Plan”)
The 2023 plan was approved at the special meeting of the shareholders of the Company on November 28, 2023.
The 2023 Plan provides for the grant of stock options (both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options) stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based awards, and other stock- and cash-based awards. The Company has reserved a pool of shares of Common Stock for issuance pursuant to awards under the 2023 Plan equal to 5,608,690 shares.
Stock option activity for the periods presented is as follows (in thousands, except per share value):
| Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cancelled | ( | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable as of March 31, 2024 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the shares underlying common stock.
The Black-Scholes option pricing model is used by the Company to determine the weighted-average fair value of share-based payments. The Company’s recognizes forfeitures as they occur. There were no stock options issued in the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Stock based compensation expense was $83 thousand and $8 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Warrants
As of March 31, 2024, there were 13,800,000 15,226,000
Private placement warrants
Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering by PACI in 2021, the Company f/k/a Proof Acquisition Corp I consummated the private placement of 15,226,000 private placement warrants at a price of $1.00 per private placement warrant to the sponsor and Blackrock. Each private placement warrant is exercisable for one whole share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Such private warrants will be exercisable for cash or on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and will not be redeemable by the Company. The private warrants are all exercisable as of March 31, 2024. There was no activity during the period ended March 31, 2024.
Public warrants
Pursuant to the Initial Public Offering by PACI in 2021, the Company sold 27,600,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant. Each whole public warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. A majority of the shares were redeemed before the merger transaction, but the warrants remain. As a result, there are 13,800,000 warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2024.
NOTE 15 – COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
Honda May 2023 Purchase Agreement
On May 5, 2023, the Company entered into a HondaJet Fleet Purchase Agreement with Honda Aircraft Company. LLC, for the purchase and delivery of twenty-three (23 ) HondaJet HA-420 Aircraft for a total estimated purchase price of $161.1 million with expected delivery between the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023 and the fourth fiscal quarter of 2025. The Company should make a $150 thousand deposit for each aircraft twelve months prior to the expected delivery date. As of December 31, 2023, the Company took delivery and sold one aircraft related to this agreement, which brings the balance of aircraft to be delivered at twenty-two (22 ) as of December 31, 2023. The Company did not take delivery of any aircraft in the three months ended March 31, 2024.
As of March 31, 2024, the Company has funded an aggregated amount of $1.5 million towards the purchase agreement, which is presented under Deposits on Aircraft non-current in the consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company is required to fund an additional $1.4 million in deposits in the next twelve months.
Gulfstream Aerospace, LP
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company executed a series of purchase agreements with Gulfstream Aerospace, LP for the acquisition of four (4 ) Gulfstream G-280 aircraft for total consideration of $79.0 million and with expected deliveries in 2024 through 2025, for which the Company made prepayments totaling $45.0 million and
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$39.0 million as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. The $45.0 million is non-refundable, except in some specific circumstances, and would serve as consideration for liquidated damages of $3.0 million per aircraft should the purchase agreement be terminated by the Company.
During the period ended March 31, 2024, the Company made additional payments of $6.0 million towards these agreements, of which $6.0 million was funded through the SAC Leasing G280 LLC credit facility (note 11) and zero was paid by the Company.
Future minimum payments under the purchase agreements with Gulfstream Aerospace, LP at March 31, 2024, are as follows, in thousands:
| Gulfstream G280 Fleet | ||||||||
| 2024 | $ | |||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| Total expected contractual payments | $ | |||||||
The Company has a credit facility in place with SAC Leasing G280 LLC to fund $40.5 million of the original $79.0 million due under these purchase agreements with Gulfstream Aerospace LP. The remaining balance to be funded by SAC Leasing G280 LLC is $6.0 million as of March 31, 2024.
Operating Leases
The Company leases property and equipment under operating leases. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, the Company records the related assets and obligations at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. Many of the leases contain renewal options and/or termination options that are factored into our determination of lease payments when appropriate. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to discount lease payments to present value, as the rates implicit in its leases are not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the estimated interest rate for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease at the commencement date.
Aircraft Leases
During 2022, the Company began leasing an aircraft with a term of five years which has fixed lease payments. The Company recognized an operating lease liability in the amount of the net present value of the future minimum lease payments, and a right-of-use asset. The discount rate used for this lease was 12 %, which was determined to be the incremental borrowing rate based on comparative secured financing in the marketplace at the inception of the fixed lease payments.
The remaining term of this lease was 3.00 years as of March 31, 2024. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease expense related to this lease consisting of fixed and variable lease costs was $117 thousand and $117 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Additionally, the Company leases other aircraft under operating leases with remaining terms ranging from to five years . These leases require lease payments that are variable and are dependent on flight hours that generate charter revenues, with no minimum lease payment commitments. Because of the variable nature of the lease payments, these leases are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as ROU assets and lease liabilities. Certain leases have renewal options to extend lease terms for additional periods ranging from to twelve months .
Some of the aircraft leases have lease terms of 12 months or less. The Company has made a policy election to classify lease agreements with a lease term of 12 months or less as short-term leases. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized right-of-use assets or lease liabilities related to these lease agreements pursuant to the short-term election. The Company recognizes short-term lease costs on a straight-line basis over the lease term and accrues the difference each period between the amount expensed and the amount paid.
Variable lease costs associated with the aircraft operating leases were $2.9 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Short-term lease costs on the aircraft leases were $15 thousand and $180 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
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Airport Facilities
Our facilities leases are for space at airports throughout the south with remaining terms ranging from to eleven months . These leases consist of hangar space and office space. The leases have lease terms of 12 months or less. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized right-of-use assets or lease liabilities related to these lease agreements pursuant to the short-term lease election. The Company has made a policy election to not separate lease and non-lease components for these facility leases. Short-term lease costs related to these leases were $18 thousand and $19 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Legal Contingencies
The Company is currently not involved with or know of any pending or threatening litigation and material claims against the Company or any of its officers.
NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In May 2024, the Company implemented cost-savings measure to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses.
In May 2024, the Company signed a term sheet for (i) a $13 million arrangement to unlock the deposits made by the Company to Gulfstream, and (ii) a $1.5 million commitment to invest in our upcoming equity financing. Upon closing, the Company intends to use the $14.5 million in cash proceeds from the financing and equity commitment to support working capital and growth ahead of expected aircraft deliveries in 2024. The transaction is expected to close in June 2024 subject to standard closing conditions.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) and our audited consolidated financial statements included in our most recent Annual Report on form 10-k for the year ended December 31, 2023. This discussion contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks faced by us described in “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this MD&A section to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Company” are intended to mean the business and operations of Volato Group, Inc.
Overview of Our Business
Our mission is to provide our JetShare owners and other customers more time for the rest of their lives by providing convenient and high-quality travel by using the right aircraft for the mission and by developing proprietary technology designed to make the travel experience more seamless.
Our revenue is generated through our aircraft ownership program, a focused commercial strategy which includes deposit products, charter flights and aircraft management services. Our aircraft ownership program is an asset-lite model whereby we sell each fleet aircraft to a limited liability company (LLC) and sell LLC membership interests to third-party owners. The LLC then leases the aircraft back to us for management and charter operation on behalf of the LLC under 14 C.F.R. Part 135. In turn, program participants (JetShare owners) invest in those special purpose entities to fund the aircraft purchase. We operate the aircraft on behalf of the special purpose entity and enters into charter agreements with the individual JetShare owners to provide preferential access and charter pricing for our HondaJet fleet.
Additionally, our commercial services generate demand for our fleet through the operation of retail deposit programs and charter as well as wholesale charter through brokers. We offer these programs on a fleet of 24 HondaJets and a managed fleet of 6 aircraft. For additional details about these revenue streams, please see the section above titled “Aircraft Ownership Program Revenue Streams”. Finally, we provide aircraft management services to existing owners of aircraft and help them monetize their aircraft through charter services.
Since inception, we have been focused on making the necessary investments in people, focused acquisitions, aircraft and technology to build an industry leading aviation company that uses capital efficiently.
Financial highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2024 include:
•We generated total revenue of $13.2 million a decrease of $2.5 million, or 16%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenue from aircraft usage increased by $4.8 million, or 72%, while revenue from plane sales decreased by $5.7 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2024, related to lower plane sales;
•We had 2,926 total flight hours for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing 39% year-over-year growth;
•We incurred a net loss of $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a $9.9 million increase in loss over the prior year primarily related to lower plane sales, as described above, and increased advertising and marketing spend as well as increased costs related to being a publicly traded company and a rapidly scaling business; and
•Adjusted negative EBITDA1 was $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to adjusted negative EBITDA of $6.7 million for the same period last year.
1Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the tables and related notes below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most comparable GAAP measure.
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Key Factors Affecting Results of Operations
We believe that the following factors have affected our financial condition and results of operations and are expected to continue to have a significant effect:
Market Competition
We compete for market share in the highly fragmented private aviation industry. The top 10 largest operators control approximately 25% of the total flight hours operated in the United States. For example, there are over 400 light jet operators (excludes air ambulance) offering Part 135 charter services in our primary network service area, flying approximately 293,000 flight hours. The breadth of operators and the product options (fractional, deposit/card programs, charter) makes the industry highly competitive.
Costs and Expense Management
In 2022 and 2023, we invested in the core business systems, processes and people required to safely operate a rapidly growing, publicly traded private aviation company. We will continue to invest in the technology and systems required to increase our fleet availability and utilization. The Company currently enrolls our fleet of HondaJet aircraft, and most of our managed aircraft, in OEM maintenance programs. These programs provide known hourly maintenance rates for our airplanes based on utilization levels and enable our maintenance expenses to be predictable. There is an opportunity to move to different tiers of these programs and increase the amount of maintenance we perform in-house to potentially increase aircraft availability. Substantial increases to the scope of Volato-performed maintenance would likely require material investments in personnel, equipment, facilities, and training. We will continue to evaluate these opportunities to improve our cost structure going forward.
We believe that pricing and data analytics are critical to our long-term ability to deliver high utilization rates on our aircraft. We plan to continue to develop new and unique products designed to leverage our yield management expertise. These new products have and will continue to require new technology systems and the resulting investment. We believe these investments will lead to increased financial performance by increasing the total contribution margin from flight operations.
Economic Conditions
The private aviation industry is volatile and affected by economic cycles and trends. Our financial performance is susceptible to economically driven changes in demand particularly for our discretionary charter and deposit products. Our cost structure and private aviation demand levels can be greatly impacted by the price of jet fuel, pilot salaries and availability, changes in government regulations, consumer confidence, safety concerns, and other factors. Our experience operating light jets leads us to believe that operating the most efficient fleet in each class of airplanes (i.e., light, mid, super mid, large cabin), will prove beneficial in an economic downturn.
Pilot Availability and Attrition
The competition for pilots has intensified in recent years. We have relied on increasing pilot pay and benefits to continue to attract qualified applicants including equity compensation. While we have been able to attract and retain the appropriate number of pilots to date, there is no guarantee that we will be able to continue to do so without further increasing our cost structure.
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Results of Operations
Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, (in thousands, except percentages):
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | Change In | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 13,211 | $ | 15,665 | $ | (2,454) | (16)% | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 17,492 | 17,363 | 129 | 1% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 11,742 | 6,215 | 5,527 | 89% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 29,234 | 23,578 | 5,656 | 24% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (16,023) | (7,913) | (8,110) | 102% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expenses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain from sale of consolidated entity | — | 387 | (387) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain from sale of equity-method investment | — | 863 | (863) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 4 | 42 | (38) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from change in fair value forward purchase agreement | (227) | — | (227) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,138) | (894) | (244) | 27% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | (1,361) | 398 | (1,759) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (17,384) | (7,515) | (9,869) | 131% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for incomes taxes | 6 | — | 6 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (17,390) | $ | (7,515) | $ | (9,875) | 131% | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue
Revenue decreased by $2.5 million, or 16%, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenue consists of the following (in thousands, except percentages):
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change In | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft sales | $ | — | $ | 5,710 | $ | (5,710) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Aircraft usage | 11,516 | 6,684 | 4,832 | 72 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Managed aircraft | 1,695 | 3,271 | (1,576) | (48) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 13,211 | $ | 15,665 | $ | (2,454) | (16) | % | |||||||||||||||
The decrease in revenue was the result of a decline in revenue from aircraft sales of $5.7 million and lower revenue from managed aircraft, partially offset by an increase in revenue from plane usage of $4.8 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in revenue from aircraft sales was primarily the result of delays in aircraft deliveries in the first quarter of 2024. Honda released the new HondaJet Elite II model in the fourth quarter of 2022 with Volato taking delivery of its first two Elite II model aircraft in fourth quarter 2022. We have orders for 22 additional HondaJet Elite IIs and expect delivery of eight to ten throughout 2024 and the remaining in 2025. In addition, we have orders for four Gulfstream G280 jets and expect delivery of two to four in 2024 and the remaining in 2025. We believe the expected aircraft deliveries will result in higher aircraft sales revenue.
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The increase in aircraft usage revenue is the result of an increase in our floating fleet to 26 as of March 31, 2024 from 15 as of March 31, 2023 as well as an increase in our blended yield per hour to $5,313 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $4,927 per hour for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our aircraft usage revenue is dependent on the (i) number of jets in our floating fleet driving total flight hours, (ii) mix of demand between owner, program and ad hoc impacting blended yield, and (iii) empty percentage. As our floating fleet grows, we expect both flight hours and blended yield to increase resulting in higher aircraft usage revenue.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue comprises expenses tied to the associated revenue streams: aircraft sales, aircraft usage, and managed aircraft. Aircraft sales cost of revenue is our purchase price of the aircraft. Aircraft usage cost of revenue includes all of the costs related to operations of our HondaJet floating fleet including flight crew salary and benefits, fuel, maintenance, owner revenue share, lease costs, and landing and other airport fees. The managed aircraft cost of revenue includes all costs incurred in our managed aircraft including the cost of flight crews, fuel, maintenance, and landing and other airport fees.
Cost of revenue increased by $129 thousand, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cost of revenue consists of the following (in thousands, except percentages):
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change In | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft sales | $ | — | $ | 5,440 | $ | (5,440) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||
| Aircraft usage | 15,982 | 9,064 | 6,918 | 76 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Managed aircraft | 1,510 | 2,859 | (1,349) | (47) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 17,492 | $ | 17,363 | $ | 129 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
The increase in cost of revenue was the result of a decrease in revenue from aircraft sales of $5.4 million and lower cost of revenue from managed aircraft of $1.3 million, partially offset by an increase in cost of revenue from plane usage of $6.9 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in cost of revenue from aircraft sales was primarily the result of delays in aircraft deliveries in the first quarter of 2024.
Selling, general and administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $5.5 million, or 89%, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative is primarily related to higher advertising and marketing expense of $2.0 million, higher salaries of $1.2 million to support the growth in the company, and professional fees and other expenses associated with becoming a public company. In May 2024, we implemented a cost savings initiative to support our path to profitability. On a proforma basis, assuming these cost savings had been implemented at the beginning of January, our selling, general and administrative expenses would have been $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Gain from sale of consolidated entity
Gain on sale of consolidated entity consists of the gain on the sale of Fly Dreams LLC during 2023.
Gain from sale of equity method investment
Gain on sale of equity method investment consists of the sale of the remaining interest in Volato 239, LLC and re-sold fractions in Volato 149, LLC and Volato 234, LLC.
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Loss on change in value of forward purchase agreement
As part of the Business Combination, we entered into an agreement for an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”). We recorded a fair value adjustment on the Forward Purchase Agreement resulting in a loss of $227 thousand loss on the change in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of interest related to our credit facilities and convertible notes and amortization of debt issuance costs. Interest expense increased $244 thousand, in the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily as a result of an increase in the Shearwater debt facility.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP financial measures are an addition, and not a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to any performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures of financial results provide useful supplemental information to investors, about Volato. However, there are a number of limitations related to the use of these non-GAAP financial measures and their nearest GAAP equivalents, including that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Volato’s financial measures. In addition, other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently, or may use other measures to calculate their financial performance, and therefore, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Adjusted EBITDA
We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted for (i) interest expense, net, (ii) provision for income taxes (benefit) (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) equity-based compensation expense, (v) acquisition, integration, and capital raise related expenses, and (v) other items not indicative of our ongoing operating performance. We include Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure for assessing operating performance.
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (17,390) | $ | (7,515) | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 1,138 | 894 | |||||||||
Provision for income tax expense | 6 | — | |||||||||
| Loss from change in fair value of forward purchase agreement | 227 | — | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 80 | 45 | |||||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense | 83 | 8 | |||||||||
| Gain from sale of consolidated entity | — | (387) | |||||||||
| Gain from sale of equity-method investment | — | (863) | |||||||||
| Other income | (4) | (42) | |||||||||
Other items not indicative of our ongoing operating performance(1) | 2,765 | 1,174 | |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (13,095) | $ | (6,686) | |||||||
(1)Represents cost incurred related to the cost savings initiative and business realignment.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity have historically consisted of financing activities, including proceeds from the issuance of stock, borrowings under our credit facilities, and capital raises from convertible debt and preferred stock. We additionally manage liquidity through the aircraft sales which provides up front deposits from our customers and aircraft usage. As of March 31, 2024, we had $8.3 million of cash and restricted cash. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we converted our line of credit from a related party into convertible notes, and therefore have no credit facilities for future borrowings.
Our primary needs for liquidity are to fund working capital, acquisitions, debt service requirements, and for general corporate purposes.
We believe factors that could affect our liquidity include the ability of our OEM partners to meet our delivery schedule and our ability to sell those aircraft, the growth rate of our charter and deposit program flying, changes in demand for our services, competitive pricing pressures, the timing and extent of spending on software development and other growth initiatives, our ability to improve the efficiency of our network flying, and overall economic conditions. To the extent that our current liquidity is insufficient to fund future activities, we will need to raise additional funds. We may attempt to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities, through debt financing arrangements, or both. Raising additional funds by issuing equity securities will dilute the ownership of existing shareholders. The occurrence of additional debt financing would result in debt service obligations, and any future instruments governing such debt could provide for operating and financing covenants that could restrict our operations. In the event that additional funds are required from outside sources, we may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to us or at all.
We have incurred negative cash flows from operating activities and significant losses from operations historically and plan to raise additional capital to fund our future operations. We believe our cash on hand, our planned capital raise, and our results of operations including our planned sale of aircraft during the year ending December 31, 2024, will be sufficient to meet our projected working capital and capital expenditure requirements for a period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. If we are unable to raise additional capital when desired, our business, results of operations, and financial condition would be adversely affected. The factors raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (7,696) | $ | (7,608) | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (56) | 1,970 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (684) | 5,468 | |||||||||
Net decrease in Cash and Restricted Cash | $ | (8,436) | $ | (170) | |||||||
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $7.7 million. The cash outflow from operating activities consisted of our net loss of $17.4 million, non-cash items of $0.5 million, and a change in net operating assets and liabilities of $9.2 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily as a result of an increase in customer deposits and deferred revenue of $6.2 million and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $2.3 million.
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $7.6 million. The cash outflow from operating activities consisted of our net loss of $7.5 million, non-cash items of $1.1 million, and a change in net operating assets and liabilities of $2.3 million. The change in net operating assets and liabilities was primarily a result of an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1.0 million, a decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $0.9 million, and a decrease in accounts receivable of $0.5 million.
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Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $56 thousand related to the purchase of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $2.0 million. Cash flow from investing activities was primarily attributable to $3.8 million from the sale of equity method investment.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $684 thousand. Cash flow from financing activities consisted of repayment on loans.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $5.5 million. Cash flow from financing activities was primarily attributable proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes of $4.8 million and proceeds from line of credit of $1 million.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Our principal commitments consist of contractual cash obligations under our credit facilities, operating leases for certain controlled aircraft and the Notes. We have committed to acquire four (4) Gulfstream G-280 aircraft for total consideration of $79.0 million with expected deliveries in 2024 and 2025, of which $45 million was funded and paid through March 31, 2024. Additionally, we have committed to acquire and additional 22 Honda HA-420 aircraft for a total consideration of $154.9 million, with expected deliveries between the second quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2026, of which $1.5 million was funded and paid through March 31, 2024.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of our operations is based on our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain amounts included in or affecting the consolidated financial statements presented in this Annual Report and related disclosure must be estimated, requiring management to make assumptions with respect to values or conditions which cannot be known with certainty at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Management believes that the accounting policies set forth below comprise the most important “critical accounting policies” for the company. A “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that involves difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management evaluates such policies on an ongoing basis, based upon historical results and experience, consultation with experts and other methods that management considers reasonable in the particular circumstances under which the judgments and estimates are made, as well as management’s forecasts as to the manner in which such circumstances may change in the future.
Revenue Recognition
We determine revenue recognition pursuant to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, through the following steps:
1.Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer.
2.Identification of the performance obligation(s) in the contract.
3.Determination of the transaction price.
4.Allocation of the transaction to the performance obligation(s) in the contract.
5.Recognition of revenue when, or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
We generate revenue primarily through three sources (i) selling aircraft, (ii) commercial strategy which includes revenue from flights of deposit product customers and charter flights, and (iii) aircraft management services.
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Volato also generates revenues from deposit products and charter flights. Domestic products are complementary set of products available to retail charter customers whereby, the customer pays deposits in exchange for certain charter product offerings of Volato to be provided in the future. Charter flights are flights offered to retail and non-retail charter customers in exchange for a fee. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of our promised services, which generally occurs upon the flight hours being used during the period which the chartered flights were operated.
Volato aircraft management services are a full-service management and charter operator including dry leasing airplanes from owners, placing aircrafts on our FAA Air Carrier Certificate, operating the aircraft for owner flights and chartering the aircraft to customers. Under the aircraft management services revenues stream, aircraft owners pay management fees to Volato and all operating expenses for the aircraft, maintenance, crew hiring and management, flight operations, dispatch, hangar, fuel, cleaning, insurance, and aircraft charter marketing. Revenues from aircraft management services is partially recognized overtime for the administrative portion of the service, and partially recognized at a point in time, generally upon the transfer of control of the promised services included as part of the management services.
Intangible Assets
We record our intangible assets acquired in a business combination at cost in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset, which was determined based on management’s estimate of the period over which the asset will contribute to our future cash flows. We periodically reassess the useful lives of our definite-lived intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate that useful lives have significantly changed from the previous estimate.
We review the intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or if events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that they are impaired. These events could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, a decline in operating performance, competition, sale, or disposition of a significant portion of the business, or other factors. If the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is determined not to be recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized and a write-down to fair value is recorded.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or changes in circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include a significant adverse change in business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends, or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations. We have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill.
If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, additional impairment testing is not required. We test for goodwill impairment annually during its fourth quarter on October 1.
Investment - Equity Method
The Company accounts for its equity method investment at cost, adjusted for the Company’s share of the investee’s earnings or losses, which is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company periodically reviews the investment for other than temporary declines in fair value below cost and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Variable Interest Entity (VIE) Accounting
The Company evaluates its ownership, contractual relationships, and other interests in entities to determine the nature and extent of the interests, whether such interests are variable interests and whether the entities are VIEs in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidations. These evaluations can be complex and involve Management judgment as well as the use of estimates and assumptions based on available historical information, among other factors. Based on these evaluations, if the Company determines that it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, this VIE entity is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements.
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Revenue is recognized when control of the promised service is transferred to our member or the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services.
The aircraft ownership program consists of facilitating the formation of limited liability companies owned by third-party members and subsequently selling an aircraft to the limited liability company. Under the aircraft ownership program, a customer can purchase an ownership share in a limited liability company which permits the owner to participate in the aircraft revenue share.
Each Plane Co is managed by Volato, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, through an operating agreement. The Company does not have the obligation to absorb losses that could be significant to the VIE or the right to receive significant benefits when it holds a minority ownership in each PlaneCo.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation costs under the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense related to the fair value of stock-based compensation awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company recognizes the cost of services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of equity awards. This cost is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite vesting period or over the nonemployee’s period of providing goods or services. Any forfeitures of stock-based compensation are recorded as they occur.
The Company utilizes the Black Scholes valuation model to value the issuance of stock-based compensation. See Note 14, “Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)” of the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
JOBS Act
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.
We may remain an emerging growth company until the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our IPO, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act or if we have total annual gross revenue of $1.07 billion or more during any fiscal year before that time, in which cases we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31 or, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during any three year period before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company immediately.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For further information on recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the ordinary course of operating our business, we are exposed to market risks. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position or results of operations due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our principal market risks are related to interest rates and aircraft fuel.
Interest Rates
We are subject to market risk associated with changing interest rates on certain of our credit facilities, which are variable rate debt. Interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt could potentially rise and increase the amount of interest expense incurred. We do not purchase or hold any derivative instruments to protect against the effects of changes in interest rates.
Aircraft Fuel
We are subject to market risk associated with changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Aircraft fuel expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 represented 13.3% of our total cost of revenue. Aircraft fuel expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 represented 11.9% of our total cost of revenue.
Based on our first quarter 2024 fuel consumption, a hypothetical 10.0% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel would have increased fuel expense by approximately $0.2 million .
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ("SEC") rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefit of controls must be considered relative to their costs. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by the report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2021 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are a defendant or plaintiff in various legal proceedings which arise in the normal course of business. As such, we are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes to these proceedings as well as potential ranges of probable losses. If one or more legal matters were resolved against us in a reporting period for amounts above management’s expectations, our financial condition and operating results for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| Exhibit Index | |||||
| Exhibit Number | Description | ||||
| Form of Employee Invention Assignment, Restrictive Covenants, and Confidentiality Agreement (incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 16, 2024). | |||||
| Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |||||
| 101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document—the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | ||||
| 101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents | ||||
| 104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File—the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document contained in Exhibit 101 | ||||
| *Filed herewith | |||||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
VOLATO GROUP, INC. | ||||||||||||||
| May 15, 2024 | By: | /s/ Matthew Liotta | ||||||||||||
Name: | Matthew Liotta | |||||||||||||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||
| May 15, 2024 | By: | /s. Mark Heinen | ||||||||||||
| Name: | Mark Heinen | |||||||||||||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Matt Liotta, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Volato Group, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/ Matt Liotta | ||
| Matt Liotta | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
May 15, 2024 | ||
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Mark Heinen, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Volato Group, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/ Mark Heinen | ||
| Mark Heinen | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
May 15, 2024 | ||
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Volato Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Matt Liotta, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, does hereby certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to his knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Matt Liotta | ||
| Matt Liotta | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
May 15, 2024 | ||
[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Volato Group, Inc. and will be retained by Volato Group, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)
In connection with the Quartlery Report of Volato Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10- Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Mark Heinen, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, does hereby certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to her knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Mark Heinen | ||
| Mark Heinen | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
May 15, 2024 | ||
[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Volato Group, Inc. and will be retained by Volato Group, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]