STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Key Financial Metrics


    --  Net income was $50.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share for the
        fourth quarter, and $121.7 million, or $1.50 per diluted common share,
        for the full year
    --  Adjusted net income was $54.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share
        for the fourth quarter, and $142.3 million, or $1.75 per diluted common
        share, for the full year
    --  Adjusted EBITDA was $211.0 million for the fourth quarter and $832.1
        million for the full year
    --  Record cash flow from operations of $526.3 million in 2015, up 14.7%
    --  Record gains from sales of flight equipment of $58.0 million in 2015
    --  Record cash ROE of 15.6% in 2015; 9.1% net cash interest margin

Highlights


    --  Completed $1.4 billion in acquisitions and entered into an agreement
        with Embraer to purchase 25 new technology E-Jet E2 aircraft
    --  Sold 31 aircraft for $563 million
    --  Unencumbered flight equipment grew to $3.9 billion
    --  Repurchased 2.6 million shares since November 2015; $100 million share
        repurchase program reauthorized
    --  Declared our 39(th) consecutive quarterly dividend

Aircastle Limited (the "Company" or "Aircastle") (NYSE: AYR) reported fourth quarter 2015 net income of $50.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share and adjusted net income of $54.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $121.7 million, or $1.50 per diluted common share, and adjusted net income was $142.3 million, or $1.75 per diluted common share. The fourth quarter results included lease rental and finance lease revenues of $185.7 million, an increase of 3%, versus $179.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year 2015, lease rental and finance lease revenues were $741.1 million, up 2% versus $725.6 million in 2014.

Commenting on the results, Ron Wainshal, Aircastle's CEO, stated, "Aircastle's results for the fourth quarter of 2015 were excellent and reflect our continuing successes in seizing the opportunities available in the market last year. For the full year, our accomplishments include record gains from asset sales, consistently excellent operating performance and the aggressive moves we completed to address nearly all of our lease placement requirements for 2016 while actively pruning suboptimal exposures and assets. Importantly, we also enhanced our liquidity base and broadened our banking relationships, leveraging our strategic partnership with Marubeni."

Mr. Wainshal continued, "Throughout the year we retained our discipline as buyers while still managing to complete $1.4 billion in acquisitions, focusing on narrow-body aircraft. We further demonstrated our commitment to deploy capital efficiently by increasing our dividend and pursuing share buy-backs during the recent stock market drop, returning $123 million in capital to shareholders since the beginning of 2015."

Mr. Wainshal concluded, "As we look at the current macroeconomic and financial market turbulence, it reaffirms our approach of selectively limiting future capital commitments and maintaining investment flexibility, especially given the fluid historical realities of the markets. The steps we've taken to de-risk our business combined with our firm and principled commitment to identifying and exploiting optimum value points in time continues to stand us in good stead. I am confident that Aircastle is fundamentally well positioned to grow and prosper going forward."



    Financial Results        Three Months Ended          Twelve Months Ended

    (in thousands,
     except share data)         December 31,                 December 31,
                                ------------                 ------------

                                 2015               2014                 2015     2014
                                 ----               ----                 ----     ----


    Total Revenues           $208,267           $238,257             $819,202 $818,602


    Adjusted EBITDA          $210,972           $233,200             $832,105 $792,283


    Net income                $50,641            $72,764             $121,729 $100,828

          Per common share -
           Diluted              $0.63              $0.90                $1.50    $1.25


    Adjusted net income       $54,264            $80,145             $142,271 $167,642

          Per common share -
           Diluted              $0.67              $0.99                $1.75    $2.07

Fourth Quarter Results

Total revenues for the fourth quarter were $208.3 million, a decline of $30.0 million, driven by lower maintenance revenues, which typically arise at lease end. Maintenance revenues were $37.1 million lower due to fewer aircraft coming off lease during the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to 2014 when we early terminated the leases of several aircraft that had been leased to airlines based in Russia and Ukraine.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $211.0 million, down $22.2 million from the fourth quarter of 2014, due primarily to lower maintenance revenues, partially offset by a $5.9 million increase in lease rental and finance lease revenues and an increase of $5.2 million from gains on sale of flight equipment.

Adjusted net income for the quarter was $54.3 million, down $25.9 million year-over-year. The decrease was due primarily to lower maintenance revenues and a $7.1 million increase in depreciation expense, partially offset by a $9.5 million reduction in non-cash impairment charges arising from the early return and sale of several aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Full Year Results

Total revenues in 2015 were $819.2 million, essentially flat with the previous year. Lease rental revenues increased $18.8 million versus the previous year, reflecting the growth in flight equipment. However, this increase was largely offset by a $17.0 million reduction in maintenance revenues caused by a lower number of aircraft coming off lease in 2015 compared to the previous year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was $832.1 million, up $39.8 million versus 2014, primarily reflecting $34.9 million more in gains from the sale of flight equipment and a $6.5 million increase in other revenues which included termination fees associated with the disposal of freighter aircraft during 2015.

Adjusted net income for the full year was $142.3 million compared to $167.6 million in 2014, a decrease of $25.4 million. Adjusted net income in 2014 excluded a $36.6 million charge associated with the early repayment of 9.75% debt, which was refinanced at a substantially lower coupon.

Aviation Assets

During 2015, we acquired 46 aircraft for $1.4 billion, including 14 aircraft for $384.8 million during the fourth quarter. The average age of the aircraft acquired during 2015 was 5.0 years and the leases had an average remaining term of approximately 8.6 years. Of the 46 aircraft purchased during the year, 43 were narrow-bodies.

We currently have acquired or committed to acquire ten narrow-body aircraft in 2016 for $380 million. In addition, during 2015 Aircastle entered into an agreement with Embraer to acquire 25 new technology E-Jet E2 aircraft delivering in 2018 through 2021.

During 2015, we sold 31 aircraft for net proceeds of $562.5 million, and realized a record gain on the sale of flight equipment of $58.0 million. The weighted average age of the aircraft sold during 2015 was 15.5 years.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we completed the sale of eleven aircraft, including two wide-body and two freighter aircraft. Our portfolio activity helped reduce our freighter exposure to eleven aircraft accounting for ten percent of our total fleet net book value, representing a significant reduction in exposure.

During the first quarter, we continued executing our sales program and we expect to sell six narrow-body aircraft to our joint venture with Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan ("Teachers'") for gross proceeds of more than $190 million. The aircraft are leased to major customers and the sale will help us manage portfolio concentrations while improving our return on deployed capital. Upon completion, our joint venture with Teachers' will have nearly $700 million in assets.



    2015 Aircraft Sales through December 31

    ($ in millions)


                                              Weighted Average Age    Maintenance       Gain                      Pre-Tax
                                                                            (years)             Revenue       (Loss) on                 Impact
                                                                                                              Sale of
                                                                                                               Flight
    Aircraft Type                            Number of Aircraft                                                            Equipment  Impairments
    -------------                           ------------------     --------------------    -----------    ---------   -----------    -------


    Narrow-bodies                                21          14.8                     $12.3                         $41.4                   $(5.3)   $48.4


    Wide-bodies                                   6          15.9              -       17.9               -          17.9


    Freighters                                    4          18.3           11.4       (1.3)         (17.9)         (7.8)
                                                ---          ----           ----        ----           -----           ----


                                                 31          15.5                     $23.7                         $58.0                  $(23.2)   $58.6

    Total
                                                                                                                                                   ===

As of December 31, 2015, Aircastle owned 162 aircraft having a net book value of $6.1 billion and managed five aircraft on behalf of our joint venture with Teachers'.


                                                                                                              Owned                       Owned                         Owned

                                                                                                         Aircraft as of              Aircraft as of                Aircraft as of

                                                                                                          December 31,                December 31,                  December 31,

                                                                                                                2015(1)                      2014(1)                        2013(1)


    Total Flight Equipment Held for Lease ($ mils.)                                                                         $6,068                                                     $5,686                                             $5,190

    Unencumbered Flight Equipment Held for Lease ($ mils.)                                                                  $3,928                                                     $3,341                                             $2,655

    Number of Aircraft                                                                                              162                                       148                                       162

    Number of Unencumbered Aircraft                                                                                 118                                        95                                        80

    Weighted Average Fleet Age (years)((2))                                                                         7.5                                       8.4                                       9.9

    Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years)((3))                                                              5.9                                       5.4                                       5.0

    Weighted Average Fleet Utilization for the year ended(4)                                                      99.3%                                    99.6%                                    98.7%

    Portfolio Yield for the year ended(5)                                                                         12.6%                                    13.3%                                    13.6%

    Net Cash Interest Margin(6)                                                                                    9.1%                                    10.0%                                     9.7%



    (1)     Calculated using net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases at period end.

    (2)     Weighted average age (years) by net book value.

    (3)     Weighted average remaining lease term (years) by net book value.

    (4)     Aircraft on-lease days as a percent of total days in period weighted by net book value.

    (5)     Lease rental revenue for the period as a percent of the average net book value of flight equipment held for lease for the period.

    (6)     Net Cash Interest Margin = Lease rental yield minus interest on borrowings, net of settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities  /average NBV of flight equipment for the period calculated on a quarterly
     basis, annualized.

Share Repurchases

Since November 2015, the Company acquired 2.6 million shares at an average price of $19.19 per share, 955 thousand shares of which were purchased at an average price of $19.81 per share during the fourth quarter of 2015. We acquired an additional 1.65 million shares at an average price of $18.83 per share since the start of 2016. Aircastle's Board of Directors just reauthorized our $100 million share repurchase program.

2015 Financing Activity

We raised $800 million of new financing during 2015. This included $500 million of Senior Notes due in 2022 and $150 million in long-term secured bank loans obtained from Japanese institutions. We also increased the size of our Revolving Credit Facility from $450 million to $600 million and extended its maturity to May 2019. The capital raised during the year provided us with additional resources to pursue aircraft acquisitions and enhanced our financial flexibility.

Common Dividend

On February 9, 2016, Aircastle's Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2016 cash dividend on its common shares of $0.24 per share, payable on March 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on February 29, 2016. Aircastle increased the dividend six times since 2010.

Conference Call

In connection with this earnings release, management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern time. All interested parties are welcome to participate on the live call. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 438-5525 (from within the U.S. and Canada) or (719) 325-2464 (from outside of the U.S. and Canada) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start and referencing the passcode "1343968".

A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.aircastle.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 webcast will be available for one month following the call. In addition to this earnings release an accompanying power point presentation has been posted to the Investor Relations section of Aircastle's website.

For those who are not available to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until 1:00 P.M. Eastern time on Saturday, March 12, 2016 by dialing (888) 203-1112 (from within the U.S. and Canada) or (719) 457-0820 (from outside of the U.S. and Canada); please reference passcode "1343968".

About Aircastle Limited

Aircastle Limited acquires, leases and sells commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of December 31, 2015, Aircastle's aircraft portfolio consisted of 162 aircraft on lease with 53 customers located in 34 countries.

Safe Harbor

All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Press Release (this "Release"), other than characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell, lease or finance aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seeks," "estimates" and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our historical performance and that of our subsidiaries and on our current plans, estimates and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this Release. These risks or uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described from time to time in Aircastle's filings with the SEC and previously disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Item 1 A of Aircastle's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, and elsewhere in this Release. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle 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 Release. Aircastle expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances.



                                                                                                                    Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                       Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                                                                                (Dollars in thousands, except share data)


                                                                                                                                                                        December 31,
                                                                                                                                                                        ------------

                                                                                                                                                               2015                     2014
                                                                                                                                                               ----                     ----

    ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                         $155,904                   $169,656

    Accounts receivable                                                                                                                                       8,566                      3,334

    Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                     98,137                     98,884

    Restricted liquidity facility collateral                                                                                                                 65,000                     65,000

    Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,306,024 and $1,294,063, respectively                                           5,867,062                  5,579,718

    Net investment in finance and sales-type leases                                                                                                         201,211                    106,651

    Unconsolidated equity method investment                                                                                                                  50,377                     46,453

    Other assets                                                                                                                                            123,707                    105,450
                                                                                                                                                            -------                    -------

    Total assets                                                                                                                                                    $6,569,964                 $6,175,146
                                                                                                                                                                    ==========                 ==========


    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    LIABILITIES

    Borrowings from secured financings, net of debt issuance costs                                                                                                  $1,146,238                 $1,373,131

    Borrowings from unsecured financings, net of debt issuance costs                                                                                      2,894,918                  2,371,456

    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                                                                131,058                    140,863

    Lease rentals received in advance                                                                                                                        67,327                     53,216

    Liquidity facility                                                                                                                                       65,000                     65,000

    Security deposits                                                                                                                                       115,642                    117,689

    Maintenance payments                                                                                                                                    370,281                    333,456
                                                                                                                                                            -------                    -------

    Total liabilities                                                                                                                                     4,790,464                  4,454,811
                                                                                                                                                          ---------                  ---------


    Commitments and Contingencies


    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Preference shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and                                                                         -                         -
    outstanding

    Common shares, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 80,232,260 shares issued and                                                                  802                        810
    outstanding at December 31, 2015; and 80,983,249 shares issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 2014

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                            1,550,337                  1,565,180

    Retained earnings                                                                                                                                       241,574                    192,805

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                   (13,213)                  (38,460)
                                                                                                                                                            -------                    -------

    Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                                            1,779,500                  1,720,335
                                                                                                                                                          ---------                  ---------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                                                      $6,569,964                 $6,175,146
                                                                                                                                                                    ==========                 ==========


                                                                               Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                               Consolidated Statements of Income

                                                                        (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                                          (Unaudited)



                                                                                               Three Months Ended December 31,         Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                                                                               -------------------------------

                                                                                               2015                     2014            2015                        2014
                                                                                               ----                     ----            ----                        ----

    Revenues:

    Lease rental revenue                                                                               $183,394                      $             178,202                 $733,417  $714,654

    Finance and sales-type lease revenue                                                      2,306                              1,559                            7,658       10,906

    Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives                            (376)                             1,080                         (10,664)     (6,172)

    Maintenance revenue                                                                      15,901                             52,971                           71,049       88,006
                                                                                             ------                             ------                           ------       ------

    Total lease revenue                                                                     201,225                            233,812                          801,460      807,394

    Other revenue                                                                             7,042                              4,445                           17,742       11,208
                                                                                              -----                              -----                           ------       ------

    Total revenues                                                                          208,267                            238,257                          819,202      818,602
                                                                                            -------                            -------                          -------      -------


    Operating expenses:

    Depreciation                                                                             81,245                             74,135                          318,783      299,365

    Interest, net                                                                            59,514                             56,827                          243,577      238,378

    Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based                      13,535                             13,955                           56,198       55,773
    payment expense of $1,556 and $1,077 for the three months ended
    and $5,537 and $4,244 for the twelve months ended December 31,
    2015 and 2014, respectively)

    Impairment of aircraft                                                                   17,477                             26,988                          119,835       93,993

    Maintenance and other costs                                                               2,376                              2,017                           11,502        7,239
                                                                                              -----                              -----                           ------        -----

    Total expenses                                                                          174,147                            173,922                          749,895      694,748
                                                                                            -------                            -------                          -------      -------


    Other income (expense):

    Gain on sale of flight equipment                                                         14,983                              9,762                           58,017       23,146

    Loss on extinguishment of debt                                                                -                                 -                               -    (36,570)

    Other                                                                                       578                                449                              919        1,207


    Total other income (expense)                                                             15,561                             10,211                           58,936     (12,217)
                                                                                             ------                             ------                           ------      -------


    Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                    49,681                             74,546                          128,243      111,637

    Income tax provision                                                                        734                              2,938                           12,771       13,863

    Earnings of unconsolidated equity method investment, net of tax                           1,694                              1,156                            6,257        3,054
                                                                                              -----                              -----                            -----        -----

    Net income                                                                                          $50,641                                    $72,764                 $121,729  $100,828
                                                                                                        =======                                    =======                 ========  ========


    Earnings per common share - Basic:

    Net income per share                                                                                  $0.63                                      $0.90                    $1.50     $1.25
                                                                                                          =====                                      =====                    =====     =====


    Earnings per common share - Diluted:

    Net income per share                                                                                  $0.63                                      $0.90                    $1.50     $1.25
                                                                                                          =====                                      =====                    =====     =====


    Dividends declared per share                                                                          $0.24                                      $0.22                    $0.90     $0.82
                                                                                                          =====                                      =====                    =====     =====


                                             Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                   (Dollars in thousands)


                                                                Years Ended December 31,
                                                                ------------------------


                                                            2015                     2014
                                                            ----                     ----

    Cash flows from operating activities:

    Net income                                                      $121,729                          $100,828

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation                                         318,783                              299,365

    Amortization of deferred
     financing costs                                      14,878                               13,961

    Amortization of net lease
     discounts and lease
     incentives                                           10,664                                6,172

    Deferred income taxes                                (6,889)                               2,863

    Non-cash share based payment
     expense                                               5,537                                4,244

    Cash flow hedges reclassified
     into earnings                                        24,023                               34,979

    Security deposits and
     maintenance payments included
     in earnings                                        (35,843)                           (107,031)

    Gain on the sale of flight
     equipment                                          (58,017)                            (23,146)

    Loss on extinguishment of debt                             -                              36,570

    Impairment of aircraft                               119,835                               93,993

    Other                                                  (896)                               (878)

    Changes on certain assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                                  (5,406)                               (509)

    Other assets                                         (5,033)                            (11,146)

    Accounts payable, accrued
     expenses and other
     liabilities                                           7,255                                1,345

    Lease rentals received in
     advance                                              15,665                                7,176
                                                          ------                                -----

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                          526,285                              458,786
                                                         -------                              -------

    Cash flows from investing activities:

    Acquisition and improvement of
     flight equipment                                (1,320,669)                          (1,672,460)

    Proceeds from sale of flight
     equipment                                           562,518                              832,961

    Restricted cash and cash
     equivalents related to sale
     of flight equipment                                (17,000)                                   -

    Aircraft purchase deposits and
     progress payments, net of
     returned deposits and
     aircraft sales deposits                             (6,812)                                   -

    Net investment in finance
     leases                                             (91,648)                            (14,258)

    Collections on finance leases                          9,559                               10,312

    Unconsolidated equity method
     investment and associated
     costs                                                     -                            (18,255)

    Distributions from
     unconsolidated equity method
     investment in excess of
     earnings                                                  -                                 667

    Other                                                  (610)                               (569)
                                                            ----                                 ----

    Net cash used in investing
     activities                                        (864,662)                           (861,602)
                                                        --------                             --------

    Cash flows from financing activities:

    Issuance of shares net of
     repurchases                                        (20,881)                             (2,092)

    Proceeds from notes and term
     debt financings                                     975,000                            1,003,200

    Securitization and term debt
     financing repayments                              (681,393)                           (984,517)

    Deferred financing costs                            (11,881)                            (15,843)

    Restricted secured liquidity
     facility collateral                                       -                              42,000

    Liquidity facility                                         -                            (42,000)

    Restricted cash and cash
     equivalents related to
     financing activities                                 17,747                               23,889

    Debt extinguishment costs                                  -                            (32,835)

    Security deposits and
     maintenance payments received                       152,391                              178,805

    Security deposits and
     maintenance payments returned                      (33,398)                           (152,900)

    Payments for terminated cash
     flow hedges and payment for
     option                                                    -                            (33,427)

    Dividends paid                                      (72,960)                            (66,421)
                                                         -------                              -------

    Net cash provided by (used in)
     financing activities                                324,625                             (82,141)
                                                         -------                              -------

    Net increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                        (13,752)                           (484,957)

    Cash and cash equivalents at
     beginning of year                                   169,656                              654,613
                                                         -------                              -------

    Cash and cash equivalents at
     end of year                                                    $155,904                          $169,656
                                                                    ========                          ========


                                                           Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                           Supplemental Financial Information

                                                     (Amount in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                                       (Unaudited)




                                                      Three Months Ended                      Twelve Months Ended

                                                         December 31,                            December 31,
                                                         ------------                            ------------

                                                      2015                   2014                    2015                  2014
                                                      ----                   ----                    ----                  ----

                                                                                       
    $
    Revenues                                                  $208,267                           238,257                        $819,202 $818,602


    EBITDA                                                    $192,510                          $205,584                        $707,524 $658,606


    Adjusted EBITDA                                           $210,972                          $233,200                        $832,105 $792,283


    Adjusted net income                                        $54,264                           $80,145                        $142,271 $167,642


    Adjusted net income
     allocable to common shares                                $53,828                           $79,545                        $141,191 $166,425

    Per common share - Basic                                     $0.67                             $0.99                           $1.75    $2.07

    Per common share - Diluted                                   $0.67                             $0.99                           $1.75    $2.07


    Basic common shares
     outstanding                                    80,263                 80,390                  80,489                80,389

    Diluted common shares
     outstanding                                    80,263                 80,390                  80,489                80,389



    Refer to the selected information accompanying this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP information.


                                                                                                                                   Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                                              Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                                                                               EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

                                                                                                                                         (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                                                                                              (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                   Three Months Ended                                     Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                                                                                      December 31,                                            December 31,
                                                                                                                                                      ------------                                            ------------

                                                                                                                                             2015                     2014                      2015                     2014
                                                                                                                                             ----                     ----                      ----                     ----

                                                                                                                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                                                                                                      ---------------------

    Net income                                                                                                                                        $50,641                                           $72,764                                          $121,729                                          $100,828

    Depreciation                                                                                                                           81,245                               74,135                               318,783                               299,365

    Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives                                                                                  376                              (1,080)                               10,664                                 6,172

    Interest, net                                                                                                                          59,514                               56,827                               243,577                               238,378

    Income tax provision                                                                                                                      734                                2,938                                12,771                                13,863
                                                                                                                                              ---                                -----                                ------                                ------

         EBITDA                                                                                                                                      $192,510                                          $205,584                                          $707,524                                          $658,606

    Adjustments:

      Impairment of aircraft                                                                                                               17,477                               26,988                               119,835                                93,993

      Loss on extinguishment of debt                                                                                                            -                                   -                                    -                               36,570

      Non-cash share based payment expense                                                                                                  1,556                                1,077                                 5,537                                 4,244

      Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts                                                                          (571)                               (449)                                (791)                              (1,130)
                                                                                                                                             ----                                 ----                                  ----                                ------

         Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                             $210,972                                          $233,200                                          $832,105                                          $792,283




    We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-US GAAP measure is helpful in identifying trends in our performance.

    This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieving optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current
     spending decisions are needed.

    EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our
     operating results. Accordingly, this metric measures our financial performance based on operational factors that management can impact in the short-term, namely the cost structure, or expenses, of the organization. EBITDA is one of the metrics used by senior management and the board of directors to review the
     consolidated financial performance of our business.

    We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (as defined above) further adjusted to give effect to adjustments required in calculating covenant ratios and compliance as that term is defined in the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes.  Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.


                                                                           Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                       Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                           Adjusted Net Income Reconciliation

                                                                                 (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                                       (Unaudited)



                                                                                       Three Months Ended December 31,                   Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                                                             2015                    2014                      2015                    2014
                                                                                             ----                    ----                      ----                    ----

                                                                                                                    (Dollars in thousands)
                                                                                                                     ---------------------

    Net income                                                                                       $50,641                                          $72,764                $121,729  $100,828

    Loss on extinguishment of debt(2)                                                           -                                  -                                   -     36,570

    Ineffective portion and termination of hedges(1)                                         (54)                                619                                  455         660

    Gain on mark to market of interest rate derivative contracts(2)                         (571)                              (449)                               (791)    (1,130)

    Non-cash share based payment expense(3)                                                 1,556                               1,077                                5,537       4,244

              Term Financing No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges(1)
                                                                                                -                              3,310                                4,401      14,854

              Securitization No. 1 hedge loss amortization charges (1)                      2,692                               2,824                               10,940      11,616
                                                                                            -----                               -----                               ------      ------

    Adjusted net income                                                                              $54,264                                          $80,145                $142,271  $167,642



    (1)  Included in Interest, net.

    (2)  Included in Other income (expense).

    (3)  Included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.


                                                                                                                 Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                                                            Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                                                                 Cash Return on Equity Calculation

                                                                                                                       (Dollars in thousands)

                                                                                                                            (Unaudited)



                                                    CFFO                               Finance Lease Collections                     Gain (Loss) on Sale of                             Deprec.                             Distributions in excess (less
                                                                                                                                              Eqt.                                                                               than) Equity Earnings                             Cash Earnings                            Average Shareholders' Equity          12 Month Cash ROE
                                                                ----                    -------------------------                     ----------------------                                       -------                   -----------------------------                         -------------                            ----------------------------          -----------------

                               2008                         $333,626                                                                                   $6,525                                       $201,759                                                                                       $138,392                                          $1,242,635                     11.1%

                               2009                         $327,641                                                                                   $1,162                                       $209,481                                                                                       $119,322                                          $1,205,284                      9.9%

                               2010                         $356,530                                                                                   $7,084                                       $220,476                                                                                       $143,138                                          $1,300,953                     11.0%

                               2011                         $359,377                                                                                  $39,092                                       $242,103                                                                                       $156,366                                          $1,370,513                     11.4%

                               2012                         $427,277                                        $3,852                                      $5,747                                       $269,920                                                                                       $166,956                                          $1,425,658                     11.7%

                               2013                         $424,037                                        $9,508                                     $37,220                                       $284,924                                                                                       $185,841                                          $1,513,156                     12.3%

                               2014                         $458,786                                       $10,312                                     $23,146                                       $299,365                                             $667                                       $193,546                                          $1,661,228                     11.7%

                               2015                         $526,285                                        $9,559                                     $58,017                                       $318,783                                           ($530)                                      $274,548                                          $1,759,871                     15.6%


    Note:  LTM Average Shareholders' Equity is the average of the most recent five quarters period end Shareholders' Equity. Management believes that the cash return on equity metric (Cash ROE) when viewed in conjunction  with the Company's results under US GAAP and the above reconciliation, provide useful information about
     operating and period-over-period performance, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business without regard to periodic reporting impacts related to non-cash revenue and expense items and interest rate derivative accounting, while recognizing the
     depreciating nature of our assets.


                                Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                           Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                               Net Cash Interest Margin Calculation

                                      (Dollars in thousands)

                                           (Unaudited)



           Average NBV                        Quarterly                          Cash Interest(1)                                     Annualized Net
            of Flight                        Lease Rental
            Equipment                          Revenue                                                                             Cash Interest Margin
            ---------                          -------                                                                             --------------------

     Q1:11                      $4,041,967                                                  $141,116                                                  $41,278  9.9%

     Q2:11                      $4,143,446                                                  $143,356                                                  $43,217  9.7%

     Q3:11                      $4,222,512                                                  $145,890                                                  $42,066  9.8%

     Q4:11                      $4,374,921                                                  $149,848                                                  $43,041  9.8%

     Q1:12                      $4,388,008                                                  $152,242                                                  $44,969  9.8%

     Q2:12                      $4,516,973                                                  $153,624                                                  $48,798  9.3%

     Q3:12                      $4,602,185                                                  $159,546                                                  $41,373 10.3%

     Q4:12                      $4,605,783                                                  $158,090                                                  $43,461 10.0%

     Q1:13                      $4,619,204                                                  $156,590                                                  $48,591  9.4%

     Q2:13                      $4,711,790                                                  $157,918                                                  $47,869  9.3%

     Q3:13                      $4,717,877                                                  $161,148                                                  $47,682  9.6%

     Q4:13                      $4,972,040                                                  $169,274                                                  $49,080  9.7%

     Q1:14                      $5,168,851                                                  $174,335                                                  $51,685  9.5%

     Q2:14                      $5,582,359                                                  $183,231                                                  $48,172  9.7%

     Q3:14                      $5,412,299                                                  $178,886                                                  $44,820  9.9%

     Q4:14                      $5,373,733                                                  $178,202                                                  $44,459 10.0%

     Q1:15                      $5,637,513                                                  $177,146                                                  $50,235  9.0%

     Q2:15                      $5,850,516                                                  $184,839                                                  $51,413  9.1%

     Q3:15                      $5,926,459                                                  $188,037                                                  $51,428  9.2%

     Q4:15                      $5,835,547                                                  $183,394                                                  $51,250  9.1%




                      (1) Excludes loan termination payments of $3.2 million and $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2011 and 2013 respectively.




              Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

      Selected Financial Guidance Elements for the First
                        Quarter of 2016

           ($ in millions, except for percentages)

                         (Unaudited)



    Guidance Item                      Q1:16


    Lease rental revenue                      $177 - $181


    Finance lease revenue                         $3 - $4


    Maintenance revenue                           $0 - $2


    Amortization of net lease
     discounts and lease incentives    ($4) - ($5)


    SG&A                                        $13 - $15


    Depreciation                                $76 - $78


    Interest, net                               $59 - $61


    Gain on sale                                 $8 - $10


    Full year effective tax rate                10% - 11%


                                                                                      Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                                  Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                            Reconciliation of Net Income Allocable to Common Shares

                                                                                                (In thousands)

                                                                                                  (Unaudited)



                                                                                                                               Three Months Ended               Twelve Months Ended

                                                                                                                               December 31, 2015                 December 31, 2015
                                                                                                                               -----------------                 -----------------


    Weighted-average shares:                                                                                                   Shares             Percent(1)                  Shares           Percent(1)
    ------------------------                                                                                                   ------             ---------                   ------           ---------


    Common shares outstanding - Basic                                                                                             80,263                 99.20%                        80,489                99.24%


    Unvested restricted common shares                                                                                                650                  0.80%                           616                 0.76%
                                                                                                                                     ---                   ----                            ---                  ----


    Total weighted-average shares outstanding                                                                                     80,912                100.00%                        81,105               100.00%
                                                                                                                                  ======                 ======                         ======                ======


    Net income allocation
    ---------------------


    Net income                                                                                                                   $50,641                100.00%                      $121,729               100.00%

    Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted                                                        (407)               (0.80%)                         (924)              (0.76%)
    shares



    Earnings available to common shares                                                                                          $50,234                 99.20%                      $120,805                99.24%
                                                                                                                                 =======                  =====                       ========                 =====


    Adjusted net income allocation
    ------------------------------


    Adjusted net income                                                                                                          $54,264                100.00%                      $142,271               100.00%


    Amounts allocated to unvested restricted shares                                                                                (436)               (0.80%)                       (1,080)              (0.76%)
                                                                                                                                    ----                 ------                         ------                ------


    Amounts allocated to common shares                                                                                           $53,828                 99.20%                      $141,191                99.24%
                                                                                                                                 =======                  =====                       ========                 =====



    (1)       Percentages rounded to two decimal places.


                                                                                      Aircastle Limited and Subsidiaries

                                                                                  Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

                                                                            Reconciliation of Net Income Allocable to Common Shares

                                                                                                (In thousands)

                                                                                                  (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended                    Twelve Months Ended

                                                                                                                                      December 31, 2014                     December 31, 2014
                                                                                                                                      -----------------                     -----------------


    Weighted-average shares:                                                                                                 Shares                     Percent(1)                   Shares            Percent(1)
    ------------------------                                                                                                 ------                      ---------                   ------             ---------


    Common shares outstanding - Basic                                                                                            80,390                              99.25%                      80,389              99.27%


    Unvested restricted common shares                                                                                               606                               0.75%                         588               0.73%
                                                                                                                                    ---                                ----                          ---                ----


    Total weighted-average shares outstanding                                                                                    80,996                             100.00%                      80,977             100.00%
                                                                                                                                 ======                              ======                       ======              ======



    Net income allocation
    ---------------------


    Net income                                                                                                                  $72,764                             100.00%                    $100,828             100.00%


    Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted                                                       (544)                            (0.75%)                       (732)            (0.73%)
    shares



    Earnings available to common shares                                                                                         $72,220                              99.25%                    $100,096              99.27%
                                                                                                                                =======                               =====                     ========               =====



    Adjusted net income allocation
    ------------------------------


    Adjusted net income                                                                                                         $80,145                             100.00%                    $167,642             100.00%


    Amounts allocated to unvested restricted shares                                                                               (600)                            (0.75%)                     (1,217)            (0.73%)
                                                                                                                                   ----                              ------                       ------              ------


    Amounts allocated to common shares                                                                                          $79,545                              99.25%                    $166,425              99.27%
                                                                                                                                =======                               =====                     ========               =====



    (1)    Percentages rounded to two decimal places.


    Contact:

    Aircastle Advisor LLC                        The IGB Group

    Frank Constantinople, SVP Investor Relations  Leon Berman

    Tel: +1-203-504-1063                         Tel: +1-212-477-8438

    fconstantinople@aircastle.com                lberman@igbir.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aircastle-announces-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2015-results-300218561.html

SOURCE Aircastle Limited