AL Air Lease Corporation

Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL):

 

Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights

  Fourth consecutive quarter of profitability growth:

• Basic EPS increased 39% to $0.25 per share compared to $0.18 per share for Q3 2011

• Pretax profit margin increased to 33.6% compared to 30.8% for Q3 2011

• Revenues increased 25% to $115.1 million and pretax income increased 37% to $38.7 million compared to Q3 2011

• Net income increased 36% to $24.8 million, compared to Q3 2011

• Adjusted net income(1) increased 26% to $31.7 million and adjusted EBITDA(1) increased 28% to $102.2 million, compared to Q3 2011

• Quarterly cash from operations increased 22% to $101.0 million, compared to Q3 2011

Grew our fleet and signed lease placements for deliveries from our order book:

• From 79 aircraft at the end of Q3 2011, we purchased 23 aircraft, growing our fleet by 29% to 102 aircraft at the end of Q4 2011 exceeding our goal of 100 aircraft by the end of 2011

• Entered into lease transactions covering 34 aircraft with four customers

 

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (NYSE: AL) announced today the results of its operations for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. ALC also announced the appointment of Gregory B. Willis as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and certain other promotions.

“ALC surpassed its fleet size goal by finishing the quarter with a fleet of 102 aircraft. As we have grown the fleet, we have also increased our profitability in four successive quarters posting our highest quarterly pre-tax profit margin of 33.6%. It truly took a team effort to achieve these results in less than 2 full years of operation,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Chairman and CEO of Air Lease Corporation.

“ALC expanded its business during the fourth quarter of 2011 by increasing its fleet size by 29% and adding 6 more customers in 3 more countries. Additionally, ALC successfully broadened our capital base through capital markets transactions, additional banking relationships, and private placements. Our focus remains on building a strong balance sheet that will support the commercial success of our business,” said John L. Plueger, President and Chief Operating Officer of Air Lease Corporation.

The following table summarizes the results for Q4 2011 and Q3 2011:

                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)     Q4 2011     Q3 2011     % change Revenues     $ 115,057     $ 92,125     25 % Pretax income $ 38,687 $ 28,341 37 % Net income $ 24,762 $ 18,271 36 % Cash provided by operating activities $ 100,969 $ 83,076 22 % Adjusted net income(1) $ 31,724 $ 25,122 26 % Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 102,167 $ 79,954 28 % Net income per share: Basic $ 0.25 $ 0.18 39 % Diluted     $ 0.24     $ 0.18     33 % (1)   See notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Statements of Operations included in this earnings release for a discussion of the non-GAAP measures adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA.  

Fleet Growth

Building on our base of 79 aircraft at September 30, 2011, we added 23 aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2011 and ended the year with 102 aircraft spread across a diverse and balanced customer base of 55 airlines based in 33 countries.

Below are portfolio metrics of our fleet as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

                (dollars in thousands)     December 31, 2011       December 31, 2010 Fleet size     102       40 Weighted average fleet age 3.6 years 3.8 years Weighted average remaining lease term 6.6 years 5.6 years Aggregate fleet cost     $ 4,368,985       $ 1,649,071  

Over 90% of our aircraft are operated internationally based on net book value. The following table sets forth the percentage of net book value of our aircraft portfolio in the indicated regions as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

                (dollars in thousands)     December 31, 2011       December 31, 2010 Region     % of net book value       % of net book value Europe     42.1 % 42.3 % Asia/Pacific 32.0 26.1 Central America, South America and Mexico 12.2 10.0 U.S. and Canada 9.1 15.6 The Middle East and Africa 4.6   6.0   Total     100.0 %       100.0 %  

The following table sets forth the number of aircraft we leased by aircraft type as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

  (dollars in thousands)     December 31, 2011    

December 31, 2010

Aircraft type    

Number ofaircraft

   

% oftotal

 

 

Number ofaircraft

   

% oftotal

Airbus A319/320/321

    31     30.4 % 17     42.5 % Airbus A330-200 11 10.8 2 5.0 Boeing 737-700/800 38 37.2 19 47.5 Boeing 767-300ER 3 2.9 � �

Boeing 777-200/300ER

5 4.9 2 5.0

Embraer E175/190

12 11.8

�

�

ATR 72-600

2     2.0   �     �   Total     102     100.0 %     40     100.0 %

We have made further progress in placing our aircraft. As of December 31, 2011, we have entered into contracts for the lease of all 45 new aircraft delivering in 2012, for 28 out of 31 new aircraft delivering in 2013, for 22 out of 26 new aircraft delivering in 2014 and five out of 24 new aircraft delivering in 2014.

Debt Financing Activities

During 2011, the Company raised an incremental $1.2 billion in debt financing. This balance was comprised of $587.6 million in unsecured financing, which included $120.0 million in senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement to institutional investors and $200.0 million in convertible senior notes, ending the year with total unsecured debt outstanding of $826.2 million. The Company increased its unsecured debt as a percentage of total debt from 14.6% at December 31, 2010 to 31.7% at December 31, 2011, while maintaining a composite cost of funds of 3.14% at December 31, 2011 compared to 3.32% at December 31, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2012 the Company entered into debt facilities and obtained financing commitments for $855.0 million. This included eight unsecured debt facilities totaling $522.0 million, comprised of; $155.0 million in senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement to institutional investors; $200.0 million in short-term unsecured bridge financing from two members of our banking group in connection with the closing of four aircraft deliveries supported by the European Export Credit Agencies; $105.0 million in unsecured term financing and $62.0 million of seller financing. We will continue to place an emphasis on raising additional unsecured financing through the balance of 2012.

As of December 31, 2011, we had established a diverse lending group consisting of 23 banks across four general types of lending facilities. The Company’s debt financing was comprised of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

              (dollars in thousands)    

December 31, 2011

   

December 31, 2010

Secured        

Term financings

$ 735,285 $ 223,981

Warehouse facility

  1,048,222     554,915   Total secured debt financing 1,783,507 778,896 Unsecured

Term financings

268,209 13,085 Convertible senior notes 200,000 � Revolving credit facilities   358,000     120,000   Total unsecured debt financing 826,209

133,085

 

Total secured and unsecured debt financing 2,609,716

911,981

Less: Deferred debt discount

  (6,917 ) �  

Total debt

$ 2,602,799 $ 911,981

 

Selected interest rates and ratios:

Composite interest rate(1)

3.14 % 3.32 % Composite interest rate on fixed debt(1) 4.28 % 3.83 %

Percentage of total debt at fixed rate

      24.3 %       1.40 %

(1)

  This rate does not include the effect of upfront fees, undrawn fees or issuance cost amortization.

Q4 Financial Highlights

Rental revenueThe Company reported rental revenues of $113.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, which included overhaul revenue of $3.4 million. The Company reported $36.7 million in rental revenue for the fourth quarter of 2010, which included overhaul revenue of $1.8 million. The increase in rental revenue was attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft. The full impact on rental revenue for aircraft acquired during the period will be reflected in subsequent periods.

Interest and other incomeInterest and other income totaled $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $175,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010. During 2011, the Company provided short-term bridge financing for the acquisition of an aircraft for which we earned $0.8 million in fee and interest income during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Interest expenseInterest expense totaled $17.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $7.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase was primarily due to higher outstanding debt balances resulting in an $9.4 million increase in interest and an increase of $0.4 million in amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs.

Depreciation expenseWe recorded $38.9 million in depreciation expense of flight equipment for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $12.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in depreciation expense for 2011, compared to 2010, was attributable to the acquisition of additional aircraft.

The full impact on depreciation expense for aircraft added during the quarter will be reflected in subsequent periods.

Selling, general and administrative expensesWe recorded selling, general and administrative expenses of $11.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. Selling, general and administrative expense represents a disproportionately higher percentage of revenues during our initial years of operation. As we continue to add new aircraft to our portfolio, we expect selling, general and administrative expense to continue decreasing as a percentage of our revenue.

Stock-based compensation expenseStock-based compensation expense totaled $8.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $10.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. This decrease is primarily a result of the expense recognition pattern related to our grants of restricted stock units, which are amortized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period.

TaxesThe effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 36.0% compared to 34.1% for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Net income (loss)For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company reported consolidated net income of $24.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a consolidated net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in net income for 2011, compared to 2010, was primarily attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft.

2011 Financial Highlights

Rental revenueThe Company reported rental revenues of $332.7 million the year ended December 31, 2011, which included overhaul revenue of $11.0 million. In the prior year, the Company reported $57.1 million in rental revenue for the period from inception to December 31, 2010, which included overhaul revenue of $3.6 million. The increase in rental revenue was attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft. The full impact on rental revenue for aircraft acquired during the period will be reflected in subsequent periods.

Interest and other incomeInterest and other income totaled $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $1.3 million for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. During 2011, the Company provided short-term bridge financing for the acquisition of an aircraft for which we earned $1.9 million in fee and interest income. In addition, the Company earned $0.5 million in servicing fee revenue with respect to the two aircraft we manage.

Interest expenseInterest expense totaled $57.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $51.7 million for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. The change was primarily due to an increase in our outstanding debt balances resulting in a $33.8 million increase in interest, an increase of $4.6 million in amortization of our deferred debt issue costs and a $3.3 million charge for the extinguishment of debt associated with the modification of the Warehouse Facility, offset by a one-time $35.8 million charge for the amortization of convertible debt discounts recorded during 2010.

Depreciation expenseWe recorded $112.3 million in depreciation expense of flight equipment for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $19.3 million for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. The increase in depreciation expense for 2011, compared to 2010, was attributable to the acquisition of additional aircraft.

The full impact on depreciation expense for aircraft added during the year will be reflected in subsequent periods.

Selling, general and administrative expensesWe recorded selling, general and administrative expenses of $44.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $24.2 million for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. Selling, general and administrative expense represents a disproportionately higher percentage of revenues during our initial years of operation. As we continue to add new aircraft to our portfolio, we expect selling, general and administrative expense to continue decreasing as a percentage of our revenue.

Stock-based compensation expenseStock-based compensation expense totaled $39.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $24.0 million for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. This increase is primarily a result of timing as the full impact on stock-based compensation expense for grants made during the second quarter of 2010, partially offset by the effects of the expense recognition pattern related to our grants of restricted stock units, which are amortized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period.

TaxesThe effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was 35.7% compared to 14.6% for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. The change in effective tax rate for the respective periods is primarily a result of a one-time $35.8 million charge for the amortization of convertible debt discounts recorded in 2010 which is not deductible for tax purposes.

Net income (loss)For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company reported consolidated net income of $53.2 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to a consolidated net loss of $52.0 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, for the period from inception to December 31, 2010. The increase in net income for 2011, compared to 2010, was primarily attributable to the acquisition and lease of additional aircraft.

Air Lease Corporation Appoints Gregory B. Willis as New Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Announces Additional Promotions

The Company announced today that the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Gregory B. Willis, the Company’s current Vice President, Finance, and Chief Accounting Officer, as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Willis succeeds James C. Clarke, who resigned as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective March 6, 2012, to pursue other interests. Mr. Clarke’s resignation was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s financial condition or financial reporting.

Mr. Willis has served as the Company’s Vice President, Finance, and Chief Accounting Officer since March 2010. From 2007 to 2010, he served as the Director of Accounting Policy at International Lease Finance Corporation (“ILFC”). Prior to ILFC, he served as the Vice President of Alternative Investments at Mellon Financial Corporation from 2005 to 2007, where he was responsible for administering the accounting and tax functions for private equity and distressed debt funds.

ALC has a deep and strong financial and accounting team and is pleased to announce the following promotions as part of Mr. Willis’s leadership team:

• Jennifer Munro, from Assistant Vice President, Finance & Accounting, to Vice President & Controller
• Ardy Ghanbar, from Director of Financial Reporting, to Assistant Vice President, Finance
• Ryan McKenna, from Director, Strategic Planning & Investor Relations, to Assistant Vice President, Strategic Planning & Investor Relations
• Sabrina Lemmens, from Manager, Finance & Accounting, to Director, Finance & Accounting
• Jason Marcotte, from Manager of Finance, to Senior Manager, Finance & Accounting

ALC is also pleased to announce the following promotions in its Legal and Technical Departments, as follows:

• Czar Vigil, from Assistant Vice President & Corporate Counsel, to Vice President & Corporate Counsel
• Eric Hoogenkamp, from Senior Director, Technical Asset Management, to Assistant Vice President, Technical Asset Management

Conference Call

In connection with the earnings release, Air Lease Corporation will host a conference call on March 12, 2012 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to discuss the Company's year-end financial results for 2011.

Investors can participate in the conference call by dialing (800) 510-0178 domestic or (617) 614-3450 international. The passcode for the call is 38106794.

For your convenience, the conference call can be replayed in its entirety beginning at 6:30 PM ET on March 12, 2012 until 11:59 PM ET March 19, 2012. If you wish to listen to the replay of this conference call, please dial (888) 286-8010 domestic or (617) 801-6888 international and enter passcode 20363311.

The conference call will also be broadcast live through a link on the Investor Relations page of the Air Lease Corporation website at www.airleasecorp.com. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the broadcast will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Air Lease Corporation website.

About Air Lease Corporation

Launched in 2010, Air Lease Corporation is an aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline partners worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. For more information, visit ALC's website at www.airleasecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements,” including any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. These statements are only predictions and involve estimates, known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements, including as a result of the following factors, among others:

• our status as a recently organized corporation with a limited operating history;
• our inability to make acquisitions of, or lease, aircraft on favorable terms;
• our inability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if required, to complete the acquisition of sufficient aircraft as currently contemplated or to fund the operations and growth of our business;
• our inability to obtain refinancing prior to the time our debt matures;
• impaired financial condition and liquidity of our lessees;
• deterioration of economic conditions in the commercial aviation industry generally;
• increased maintenance, operating or other expenses or changes in the timing thereof;
• changes in the regulatory environment;
• our inability to effectively deploy the net proceeds from our capital raising activities; and
• potential natural disasters and terrorist attacks and the amount of our insurance coverage, if any, relating thereto.

All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. You are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    

 

   

(in thousands, except share data)

   

December 31, 2011

   

December 31, 2010

Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 281,805 $ 328,821 Restricted cash 96,157 48,676

Flight equipment subject to operating leases

4,368,985 1,649,071

Less accumulated depreciation

  (131,569 )   (19,262 ) 4,237,416 1,629,809 Deposits on flight equipment purchases 405,549 183,367

Deferred debt issue costs—less accumulated amortization of $17,500 and $4,754 as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

47,609 46,422 Deferred tax asset — 8,875

Other assets

  96,057     30,312  

Total assets

$ 5,164,593   $ 2,276,282   Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity Accrued interest and other payables $ 54,648 $ 22,054 Debt financing 2,602,799 911,981 Security deposits and maintenance reserves on flight equipment leases 284,154 109,274

Rentals received in advance

26,017 8,038

Deferred tax liability

  20,692     —  

Total liabilities

$ 2,988,310   $ 1,051,347   Shareholders’ Equity Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — — Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 98,885,131 and 63,563,810 shares at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively 984 636 Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,829,339 shares 18 18 Paid-in capital 2,174,089 1,276,321 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   1,192     (52,040 ) Total shareholders’ equity   2,176,283     1,224,935  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 5,164,593   $ 2,276,282                   Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS       Year Ended

For the periodfrom Inception to

(in thousands, except share data)

 

December 31, 2011

    December 31, 2010 Revenues Rental of flight equipment $ 332,719 $ 57,075 Interest and other   4,022     1,291   Total revenues 336,741 58,366   Expenses Interest 44,862 11,062 Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs 9,481 4,883 Extinguishment of debt 3,349 — Amortization of convertible debt discounts   —     35,798   Interest expense 57,692 51,743 Depreciation of flight equipment 112,307 19,262 Selling, general and administrative 44,559 24,232 Stock-based compensation   39,342     24,044   Total expenses   253,900     119,281   Income (loss) before taxes 82,841 (60,915 )

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (29,609 )   8,875  

Net income (loss)

$ 53,232   $ (52,040 )

 

 

 

      Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders per share Net loss Basic $ 0.59 $ (1.32 ) Diluted $ 0.59 $ (1.32 ) Weighted-average shares outstanding Basic 89,592,945 39,511,045

Diluted

    90,416,346         39,511,045  

Other financial data

Adjusted net income(1) $ 87,954 $ 2,520

Adjusted EBITDA(2)

$ 290,168 $ 32,973             (1)  

Adjusted net income (defined as net income before stock-based compensation expense and non-cash interest expense, which includes the amortization of debt issuance costs, extinguishment of debt and convertible debt discounts) is a measure of both operating performance and liquidity that is not defined by United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted net income is presented as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it may be a useful performance measure that is used within our industry. We believe adjusted net income provides useful information on our earnings from ongoing operations, our ability to service our long-term debt and other fixed obligations, and our ability to fund our expected growth with internally generated funds. Set forth below is additional detail as to how we use adjusted net income as a measure of both operating performance and liquidity, as well as a discussion of the limitations of adjusted net income as an analytical tool and a reconciliation of adjusted net income to our GAAP net loss and cash flow from operating activities.

 

Operating Performance: Management and our board of directors use adjusted net income in a number of ways to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance. We use adjusted net income as a measure of our consolidated operating performance exclusive of income and expenses that relate to the financing, income taxes, and capitalization of the business. Also, adjusted net income assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily one-time amortization of convertible debt discounts) and stock-based compensation expense from our operating results. In addition, adjusted net income helps management identify controllable expenses and make decisions designed to help us meet our current financial goals and optimize our financial performance. Accordingly, we believe this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that we can influence in the short term, namely the cost structure and expenses of the organization.

 

Liquidity: In addition to the uses described above, management and our board of directors use adjusted net income as an indicator of the amount of cash flow we have available to service our debt obligations, and we believe this measure can serve the same purpose for our investors.

 

Limitations: Adjusted net income has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results or cash flows as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are as follows:

 

• adjusted net income does not reflect (i) our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, or (ii) changes in or cash requirements for our working capital needs; and

 

• our calculation of adjusted net income may differ from the adjusted net income or analogous calculations of other companies in our industry, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

  The following tables show the reconciliation of net income and cash flows from operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measures of performance and liquidity, to adjusted net income.                   Year Ended    

For the periodFrom Inception to

(in thousands)    

December 31, 2011

    December 31, 2010 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities to adjusted net income: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 267,166 $ 41,934 Depreciation of flight equipment (112,307 ) (19,262 ) Stock-based compensation (39,342 ) (24,044 ) Deferred taxes (29,567 ) 8,875 Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs (9,481 ) (4,883 ) Extinguishment of debt (3,349 ) — Amortization of convertible debt discounts — (35,798 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other assets 17,438 8,040 Accrued interest and other payables (19,347 ) (18,864 ) Rentals received in advance   (17,979 )   (8,038 ) Net income (loss) 53,232 (52,040 ) Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs 9,481 4,883 Extinguishment of debt 3,349 — Amortization of convertible debt discounts — 35,798 Stock-based compensation 39,342 24,044

Tax effect

 

(17,450

)

  (10,165 )

Adjusted net income

   

$

87,954

      $ 2,520  

 

           

Year Ended

 

For the periodFrom Inception to

(in thousands)    

December 31, 2011

   

December 31, 2010

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted net income: Net income (loss) $ 53,232 $ (52,040 ) Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs 9,481 4,883 Extinguishment of debt 3,349 — Amortization of convertible debt discounts — 35,798 Stock-based compensation 39,342 24,044 Tax effect   (17,450 ) (10,165 ) Adjusted net income     $ 87,954         $ 2,520   (2)   Adjusted EBITDA (defined as net income (loss) before net interest expense, stock-based compensation expense, income tax expense (benefit), and depreciation and amortization expense) is a measure of both operating performance and liquidity that is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it may be a useful performance measure that is used within our industry. We believe adjusted EBITDA provides useful information on our earnings from ongoing operations, our ability to service our long-term debt and other fixed obligations, and our ability to fund our expected growth with internally generated funds. Set forth below is additional detail as to how we use adjusted EBITDA as a measure of both operating performance and liquidity, as well as a discussion of the limitations of adjusted EBITDA as an analytical tool and a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to our GAAP net loss and cash flow from operating activities.  

Operating Performance: Management and our board of directors use adjusted EBITDA in a number of ways to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance. We use adjusted EBITDA as a measure of our consolidated operating performance exclusive of income and expenses that relate to the financing, income taxes, and capitalization of the business. Also, adjusted EBITDA assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily one-time amortization of convertible debt discounts) and stock-based compensation expense from our operating results. In addition, adjusted EBITDA helps management identify controllable expenses and make decisions designed to help us meet our current financial goals and optimize our financial performance. Accordingly, we believe this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that we can influence in the short term, namely the cost structure and expenses of the organization.

 

Liquidity: In addition to the uses described above, management and our board of directors use adjusted EBITDA as an indicator of the amount of cash flow we have available to service our debt obligations, and we believe this measure can serve the same purpose for our investors.

 

Limitations: Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results or cash flows as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are as follows:

 

• adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

  • adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in or cash requirements for our working capital needs;   • adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; and   • other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently from how we calculate these measures, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.   The following tables show the reconciliation of net income (loss) and cash flows from operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measures of performance and liquidity, to adjusted EBITDA.                     Year Ended    

For the periodFrom Inception to

(in thousands)    

December 31, 2011

    December 31, 2010 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities to adjusted EBITDA: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 267,166 $ 41,934 Depreciation of flight equipment (112,307 ) (19,262 ) Stock-based compensation (39,342 ) (24,044 ) Deferred taxes (29,567 ) 8,875 Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs (9,481 ) (4,883 ) Extinguishment of debt (3,349 ) — Amortization of convertible debt discounts — (35,798 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other assets 17,438 8,040 Accrued interest and other payables (19,347 ) (18,864 ) Rentals received in advance   (17,979 )   (8,038 ) Net income (loss) 53,232 (52,040 ) Net interest expense 55,678 50,582 Income taxes 29,609 (8,875 )

Depreciation

112,307 19,262 Stock-based compensation   39,342     24,044  

Adjusted EBITDA

    $ 290,168      

$

32,973

 

 

                   

Year Ended

For the periodFrom Inception to

(in thousands)

   

December 31, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA: Net income (loss) $ 53,232 $ (52,040 ) Net interest expense 55,678 50,582 Income taxes 29,609 (8,875 ) Depreciation 112,307 19,262

Stock-based compensation

  39,342     24,044   Adjusted EBITDA     $ 290,168       $ 32,973     Air Lease Corporation and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                   Year Ended    

For the periodfrom Inception to

(dollars in thousands)    

December 31, 2011

   

December 31, 2010

Operating Activities Net income (loss) $ 53,232 $ (52,040 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation of flight equipment 112,307 19,262 Stock-based compensation 39,342 24,044 Deferred taxes 29,567 (8,875 ) Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs 9,481 4,883 Extinguishment of debt 3,349 — Amortization of convertible debt discounts — 35,798 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other assets (17,438 ) (8,040 ) Accrued interest and other payables 19,347 18,864 Rentals received in advance   17,979     8,038   Net cash provided by operating activities   267,166     41,934   Investing Activities Acquisition of flight equipment under operating lease (2,529,901 ) (1,649,071 ) Payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases (360,587 ) (183,367 ) Acquisition of furnishings, equipment and other assets   (86,668 )   (19,082 ) Net cash used in investing activities   (2,977,156 )   (1,851,520 ) Financing Activities Issuance of common stock and warrants 867,230 1,157,133 Tax withholdings on stock based compensation (8,456 ) — Issuance of convertible notes 193,000 60,000 Net change in unsecured revolving facilities 238,000 120,000 Proceeds from debt financings 1,344,530 796,921 Payments in reduction of debt financings (84,796 ) (4,940 ) Restricted cash (47,481 ) (48,676 ) Debt issue costs (13,933 ) (51,305 ) Security deposits and maintenance reserve receipts 180,862 109,274 Security deposits and maintenance reserve disbursements   (5,982 )   —   Net cash provided by financing activities   2,662,974     2,138,407   Net increase (decrease) in cash (47,016 ) 328,821 Cash at beginning of period   328,821     —   Cash at end of period $ 281,805   $ 328,821   Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information Cash paid during the period for interest, including capitalized interest of $10,390 at December 31, 2011 and capitalized interest of $1,769 at December 31, 2010 $ 51,986 $ 12,723   Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities Buyer furnished equipment, capitalized interest and deposits on flight equipment purchases applied to acquisition of flight equipment under operating leases $ 190,013 $ — Conversion of convertible notes to Class A Common Stock     $ —       $ 60,000