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8-K - FORM 8-K - Aircastle LTD | y04980e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michael Inglese Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +1-203-504-1063
Michael Inglese Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +1-203-504-1063
The IGB Group
Leon Berman
Tel: +1-212-477-8438
lberman@igbir.com
Leon Berman
Tel: +1-212-477-8438
lberman@igbir.com
Aircastle Announces Increase in Quarterly Dividend and Share Repurchase Program
Stamford, CT. June 27, 2011 Aircastle Limited (NYSE: AYR) announced today that its Board of
Directors declared a second quarter 2011 cash dividend on its common shares of $0.125 per share,
payable on July 15, 2011 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2011.
Aircastle announces dividends on a quarterly basis, separately from quarterly earnings
announcements.
The Companys Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Companys common share repurchase
program by up to $30 million of its common shares, for a total of up to $90 million of its common
shares in the aggregate. Under the program, as of June 24, 2011, the Company had purchased 4.9
million of its common shares for a total cost of $60 million, including commissions.
Ron Wainshal, Aircastles CEO, commented, Increasing the dividend 25% this quarter demonstrates
our confidence in our disciplined, returns-oriented growth strategy and in the strength of our cash
flows. At the same time, with our strong liquidity position, we continue to believe that
repurchasing our shares is an excellent investment which complements our growth plans as well as
our dividend policy.
Under the Companys share repurchase program, the Company may purchase its common shares from time
to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of the
purchases will depend on a number of factors, including the price and availability of the Companys
common shares, trading volume and general market conditions. The Company may also from time to time
establish a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to facilitate
purchases of its common shares under this authorization.
About Aircastle Limited
Aircastle Limited is a global company that acquires, leases and sells high-utility commercial jet
aircraft to airlines throughout the world. As of March 31, 2011 Aircastles aircraft portfolio
consisted of 134 aircraft and had 63 lessees located in 34 countries.
For more information regarding Aircastle and to be added to our email distribution list, please
visit www.aircastle.com.
Safe Harbor
Certain items in this press release and other information we provide from time to time, may
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 including, but 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 Net Income and Adjusted Net Income plus Depreciation and Amortization
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 managements current expectations
and beliefs 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 Limited can give no
assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance
on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Factors that could have a
material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results
to differ materially from Aircastle Limiteds expectations include, but are not limited to,
significant capital markets disruption and volatility, which may adversely affect our continued
ability to obtain additional capital to finance our working capital needs; volatility in the value
of our aircraft or in appraisals thereof, which may, among other things, result in increased
principal payments under our term financings and reduce our cash flow available for investment or
dividends; general economic conditions and business conditions affecting demand for aircraft and
lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other
jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to
capital, reduced load factors and/or reduced yields, operational disruptions or unavailability of
capital caused by political unrest in North Africa, the Middle East or elsewhere, and other factors
affecting the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform
their obligations under our leases; termination payments on our interest rate hedges; and other
risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle Limiteds filings with the SEC, including Risk
Factors as previously disclosed in Aircastles 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our other
filings with the SEC, press releases and other communications. 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 press
release. Aircastle Limited expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking tatements contained herein to reflect any change in its
expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
statement is based.