UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 25, 2024
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Cayman Islands
001-37386
98-1420784
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, New York 10105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
(212) 798-6100
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

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

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

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

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Trading Symbol:
Name of each exchange on which registered:
Class A Common shares, $0.01 par value per share
FTAI
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIP
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIO
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
8.25% Fixed Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIN
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
9.50% Fixed Rate Reset Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares
FTAIM
The Nasdaq Global Select Market


Item 2.02.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On April 25, 2024, FTAI Aviation Ltd. (“FTAI” or the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results for its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Current Report”) as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 2.02 disclosure.
 
This Current Report, including the exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, unless expressly set forth as being incorporated by reference into such filing.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
   
 
Press release, dated April 25, 2024, issued by FTAI Aviation Ltd.
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Eun (Angela) Nam
 
Name:
 
Eun (Angela) Nam
 
Title:
 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
       
Date: April 25, 2024
   
 



Exhibit 99.1

 
PRESS RELEASE
 
FTAI Aviation Ltd. Reports First Quarter 2024 Results, Declares Dividend of $0.30 per Ordinary Share
 

NEW YORK, April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ: FTAI) (the “Company” or “FTAI”) today reported financial results for the first quarter 2024. The Company’s consolidated comparative financial statements and key performance measures are attached as an exhibit to this press release.
 
Financial Overview
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Selected Financial Results
   
Q1’24
 
Net Income Attributable to Shareholders
 
$
31,287
 
Basic Earnings per Ordinary Share
 
$
0.31
 
Diluted Earnings per Ordinary Share
 
$
0.31
 
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
 
$
164,101
 
 

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

First Quarter 2024 Dividends
 
On April 25, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a cash dividend on our ordinary shares of $0.30 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, payable on May 21, 2024 to the holders of record on May 10, 2024.
 
Additionally, on April 25, 2024, the Board declared cash dividends on its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series A Preferred Shares”), Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series B Preferred Shares”), Fixed-Rate Reset Series C Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series C Preferred Shares”) and Fixed-Rate Reset Series D Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Shares (“Series D Preferred Shares”) of $0.51563, $0.50000, $0.51563 and $0.59375 per share, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, payable on June 14, 2024 to the holders of record on June 3, 2024.
 
Business Highlights
 

FTAI Aviation Ltd. and LATAM Airlines Group S.A. enter into a Perpetual Power Program covering over 60 engines.
 

Aerospace Products Adj. EBITDA reached $70 million, a 28.7% quarterly growth versus Q4 2023 and 156.7% growth vs Q1 2023. (1)
 
 
(1)
For definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures, please refer to the exhibit to this press release.

1

Additional Information
 
For additional information that management believes to be useful for investors, please refer to the presentation posted on the Investor Center section of the Company’s website, https://www.ftaiaviation.com, and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, when available on the Company’s website. Nothing on the Company’s website is included or incorporated by reference herein.
 
Conference Call
 
In addition, management will host a conference call on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 8:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by registering via the following link https://register.vevent.com/register/BId3fa86dd156541f2888a619e6966f685/. Once registered, participants will receive a dial-in and unique pin to access the call.
 
A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at https://www.ftaiaviation.com/. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast.
 
A replay of the conference call will be available after 11:30 A.M. on Friday, April 26, 2024 through 11:30 A.M. on Friday, May 3, 2024 on https://ir.ftaiaviation.com/news-events/presentations/.
 
The information contained on, or accessible through, any websites included in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and should not be considered a part of, this press release.
 
About FTAI Aviation Ltd.
 
FTAI owns and maintains commercial jet engines with a focus on CFM56 and V2500 engines. FTAI’s propriety portfolio of products, including The Module Factory and a joint venture to manufacture engine PMA, enables it to provide cost savings and flexibility to our airline, lessor, and maintenance, repair, and operations customer base. Additionally, FTAI owns and leases jet aircraft which often facilitates the acquisition of engines at attractive prices. FTAI invests in aviation assets and aerospace products that generate strong and stable cash flows with the potential for earnings growth and asset appreciation.
 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained and such differences may be material. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on the Company’s website (www.ftaiaviation.com). In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
Alan Andreini
Investor Relations
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(646) 734-9414
aandreini@fortress.com

2

Exhibit - Financial Statements
FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2024
   
2023
 
Revenues
           
Lease income
 
$
53,161
   
$
55,978
 
Maintenance revenue
   
45,790
     
35,141
 
Asset sales revenue
   
38,607
     
108,691
 
Aerospace products revenue
   
189,057
     
85,113
 
Other revenue
   
79
     
7,795
 
Total revenues
   
326,694
     
292,718
 
                 
Expenses
               
Cost of sales
   
142,804
     
145,670
 
Operating expenses
   
25,317
     
22,534
 
General and administrative
   
3,683
     
4,067
 
Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
6,179
     
3,262
 
Management fees and incentive allocation to affiliate
   
4,895
     
2,997
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
49,920
     
40,926
 
Asset impairment
   
962
     
1,220
 
Interest expense
   
47,707
     
39,292
 
Total expenses
   
281,467
     
259,968
 
                 
Other (expense) income
               
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
(667
)
   
(1,335
)
Other income
   
634
     
8
 
Total other expense
   
(33
)
   
(1,327
)
Income before income taxes
   
45,194
     
31,423
 
Provision for income taxes
   
5,572
     
2,026
 
Net income
   
39,622
     
29,397
 
Less: Dividends on preferred shares
   
8,335
     
6,791
 
Net income attributable to shareholders
 
$
31,287
   
$
22,606
 
                 
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
 
$
0.31
   
$
0.23
 
Diluted
 
$
0.31
   
$
0.22
 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
100,245,905
     
99,728,245
 
Diluted
   
100,960,065
     
100,974,100
 

3

FTAI AVIATION LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
March 31, 2024
   
December 31, 2023
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
65,224
   
$
90,756
 
Restricted cash
   
150
     
150
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
137,399
     
115,156
 
Leasing equipment, net
   
2,187,716
     
2,032,413
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
   
44,114
     
45,175
 
Investments
   
22,055
     
22,722
 
Intangible assets, net
   
46,583
     
50,590
 
Goodwill
   
4,630
     
4,630
 
Inventory, net
   
345,470
     
316,637
 
Other assets
   
322,565
     
286,456
 
Total assets
 
$
3,175,906
   
$
2,964,685
 
                 
Liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
139,250
   
$
112,907
 
Debt, net
   
2,693,754
     
2,517,343
 
Maintenance deposits
   
62,722
     
65,387
 
Security deposits
   
42,431
     
41,065
 
Other liabilities
   
60,143
     
52,100
 
Total liabilities
 
$
2,998,300
   
$
2,788,802
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity
               
Ordinary shares ($0.01 par value per share; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized; 100,245,905 and 100,245,905 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
 
$
1,002
   
$
1,002
 
Preferred shares ($0.01 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 15,920,000 and 15,920,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)
   
159
     
159
 
Additional paid in capital
   
218,074
     
255,973
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(42,163
)
   
(81,785
)
Shareholders' equity
   
177,072
     
175,349
 
Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
   
534
     
534
 
Total equity
   
177,606
     
175,883
 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
3,175,906
   
$
2,964,685
 
 
4

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

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2024
   
2023
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
39,622
   
$
29,397
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
667
     
1,335
 
Gain on sale of leasing equipment, net
   
(58,061
)
   
(31,657
)
Security deposits and maintenance claims included in earnings
   
(2,437
)
   
(9,842
)
Equity-based compensation
   
510
     
108
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
49,920
     
40,926
 
Asset impairment
   
962
     
1,220
 
Change in deferred income taxes
   
4,548
     
1,692
 
Change in fair value of guarantees
   
(259
)
   
(1,769
)
Amortization of lease intangibles and incentives
   
9,202
     
7,844
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
   
2,638
     
2,017
 
Provision for credit losses
   
     
475
 
Other
   
(259
)
   
(326
)
Change in:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(27,945
)
   
(14,840
)
Inventory
   
(6,877
)
   
6,984
 
Other assets
   
(1,845
)
   
(2,013
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(10,252
)
   
6,088
 
Management fees payable to affiliate
   
238
     
(386
)
Other liabilities
   
(717
)
   
1,444
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
   
(345
)
   
38,697
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Investment in unconsolidated entities
   
     
(19,500
)
Principal collections on finance leases
   
786
     
 
Principal collections on notes receivable
   
1,964
     
 
Acquisition of leasing equipment
   
(276,990
)
   
(127,513
)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
   
(1,312
)
   
(1,451
)
Acquisition of lease intangibles
   
862
     
(8,640
)
Purchase deposits for acquisitions
   
(25,535
)
   
(9,940
)
Proceeds from sale of leasing equipment
   
128,384
     
153,679
 
Proceeds for deposit on sale of aircraft and engine
   
2,098
     
1,042
 
Return of purchase deposits
   
530
     
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(169,213
)
 
$
(12,323
)
                 

5

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2024
   
2023
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Proceeds from debt
 
$
210,000
   
$
145,000
 
Repayment of debt
   
(35,000
)
   
(220,000
)
Payment of deferred financing costs
   
(292
)
   
 
Receipt of security deposits
   
1,856
     
1,459
 
Return of security deposits
   
     
(65
)
Receipt of maintenance deposits
   
8,927
     
10,142
 
Release of maintenance deposits
   
(3,056
)
   
 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares, net of underwriter's discount and issuance costs
   
     
61,729
 
Cash dividends - ordinary shares
   
(30,074
)
   
(29,919
)
Cash dividends - preferred shares
   
(8,335
)
   
(6,791
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
$
144,026
   
$
(38,445
)

               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
(25,532
)
   
(12,071
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
   
90,906
     
53,065
 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
 
$
65,374
   
$
40,994
 

6

Key Performance Measures
 
The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) utilizes Adjusted EBITDA as our key performance measure.
 
Adjusted EBITDA provides the CODM with the information necessary to assess operational performance, as well as make resource and allocation decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to shareholders from continuing operations, adjusted (a) to exclude the impact of provision for income taxes, equity-based compensation expense, acquisition and transaction expenses, losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations, changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments, asset impairment charges, incentive allocations, depreciation and amortization expense, dividends on preferred shares, and interest expense, (b) to include the impact of our pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities, and (c) to exclude the impact of equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities and the non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA.
 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income attributable to shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
 
(in thousands)
 
2024
   
2023
   
Change
 
Net income attributable to shareholders
 
$
31,287
   
$
22,606
   
$
8,681
 
Add: Provision for income taxes
   
5,572
     
2,026
     
3,546
 
Add: Equity-based compensation expense
   
510
     
108
     
402
 
Add: Acquisition and transaction expenses
   
6,179
     
3,262
     
2,917
 
Add: Losses on the modification or extinguishment of debt and capital lease obligations
   
     
     
 
Add: Changes in fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments
   
     
     
 
Add: Asset impairment charges
   
962
     
1,220
     
(258
)
Add: Incentive allocations
   
4,308
     
2,942
     
1,366
 
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense (1)
   
59,122
     
48,770
     
10,352
 
Add: Interest expense and dividends on preferred shares
   
56,042
     
46,083
     
9,959
 
Add: Pro-rata share of Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated entities (2)
   
(548
)
   
(696
)
   
148
 
Less: Equity in losses of unconsolidated entities
   
667
     
1,335
     
(668
)
Less: Non-controlling share of Adjusted EBITDA
   
     
     
 
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
 
$
164,101
   
$
127,656
   
$
36,445
 


 
(1)
Includes the following items for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (i) depreciation and amortization expense of $49,920 and $40,926, (ii) lease intangible amortization of $3,976 and $3,983 and (iii) amortization for lease incentives of $5,226 and $3,861, respectively.
 
(2)
Includes the following items for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (i) net loss of $667 and $1,335, (ii) depreciation and amortization expense of $119 and $400, and (iii) acquisition and transaction expenses of $0 and $239, respectively.
 
For a reconciliation of net income attributable to shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2023, refer to the appendix of the FTAI Aviation Ltd. Earnings Supplement for the period Q4’23.
 

 7