2014 Annual Report
SM
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
145 Hunter Drive
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
www.atsginc.com
OUTSIDE BACK COVER
OUTSIDE FRONT COVER
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Investor Information
Board of Directors
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Stock Information
NASDAQ: ATSG
Company documents electronically filed with the
SEC also may be found at www.atsginc.com.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
Computershare Investor Services
(877) 581-5548 or (781) 575-2879
www.computershare.com/investor
By mail:
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
By courier:
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dayton, Ohio
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of stockholders will be May
7, 2015, at 11 a.m. local time at The Roberts
Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, Ohio.
Investor Relations
Telephone inquiries may be directed
to (937) 434-2700.
James H. Carey
Executive Vice President (Retired) of the Chase
Manhattan Bank. Mr. Carey has been the Chairman of
the Board of the Company since May 2004, and has
been a Director since August 2003. He is a member of
both the Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Governance Committee.
Richard A. Baudouin
Principal at Infinity Aviation Capital LLC,
an investment firm involved in aircraft leasing.
Mr. Baudouin has been a Director of the Company
since January 2013 and is a member of both the
Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Governance Committee.
Joseph C. Hete
President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Transport
Services Group, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of
ABX Air, Inc. Mr. Hete has been with the company
since 1980.
General Arthur J. Lichte, USAF (retired)
Retired four-star general of the U.S. Air Force and
former Commander of the Air Mobility Command.
General Lichte has been a Director of the Company
since February 2013 and is a member of the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Randy D. Rademacher
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of
Reading Rock, Inc. Mr. Rademacher has been a
Director of the Company since December 2006. He is
the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance
Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.
J. Christopher Teets
Partner of Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC.
Mr. Teets has been a Director of the Company
since February 2009. He is the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the
Nominating and Governance Committee.
Jeffrey J. Vorholt
Independent consultant and private investor.
Mr. Vorholt has been a Director of the Company
since January 2004. He is the Chairman of the
Audit Committee and is a member of the
Compensation Committee.
INSIDE FRONT COVER
INSIDE BACK COVER
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
In 2015, we expect to roughly match our 2014
performance when measured against our cash-
flow yardsticks, even without any additional
aircraft deployments.
But the ratio of our cash flow to our fixed cash
commitments to creditors and our pension plans is
now the lowest it has ever been. That’s due in large
part to our lower-risk, less capital intensive approach
to fleet development through passenger-to-freighter
conversions, our focus on the midsize freighter
niche, and the attractiveness of our hybrid leasing/
operating platform.
The extension of our long DHL relationship under
the amended agreements effective in April 2015 also
coincides with the retirement of our promissory note
with them, along with the restrictions it placed on our
capital allocation options. We have reduced our term
debt and preserved more than adequate access to credit
under our revolving facility, at even better rates than
before. Our pension and other benefit obligations are
well managed, and our capital commitments for 2015
are smaller than they have been in years.
Against that backdrop of solid business results and
an improving outlook, your Board has authorized the
repurchase of up to $50 million of our common shares
as a way to return a portion of our uncommitted cash
to the owners of the company. This authorization,
coupled with our low financial leverage and the security
of strong future cash flows, provides us with an array of
capital allocation options to maximize shareholder
returns. These options are not mutually exclusive, and
we expect to make effective use of several.
Even with the sharp appreciation in our share price
since the repurchase authorization last August, we
regard the return of cash as an effective tool to
supplement those returns in the future. We intend to
begin a repurchase program as the year progresses,
while also searching for good investment opportunities
that can extend our superior performance well into
the future.
Throughout 2015, we will guide ATSG’s teams
toward new operational targets that best preserve the
cash-flow generating power that yielded the flexibility
and choices we enjoy today. As the year unfolds, I look
forward to reporting more good news about our
performance and prospects for ever-greater returns for
our shareholders.
James H. Carey
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the
shareholders, I also want to express our appreciation for
the long and dedicated service that Jim Carey has
devoted to the Company as a director and Chairman of
the Board. This year Jim is retiring from our Board,
where he has served since ATSG’s inception as a public
company in 2003. He also served on the Board of
Airborne Inc. prior to ATSG’s separation from
Airborne in the Airborne-DHL merger. His direction
of the Board, and counsel to me and other members of
management, have been major contributors to our
success. We wish him all the best in retirement.
Joseph C. Hete
President & Chief Executive Officer
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
To Our Shareholders
2014 was a year of substantial growth in our leasing
business and significant improvement in our airlines’
performance, placing us in an even stronger financial
position leading into 2015.
Those achievements followed a decade of substantial
investments in our fleet, the 2013 reorganization of our
airline businesses, and last year’s significant pickup in
the air cargo market after several years of economic
uncertainty and high fuel prices.
Our revenues grew $10 million to $590 million in
2014, although they were down for the year when
excluding revenues from customer reimbursed expenses.
This was mainly because we had more freighters
operating abroad during 2013 generating large revenue
streams, especially those serving Mideast routes.
Earnings from Continuing Operations were $32
million, or $0.49 per share on a fully diluted basis. In
2013, our Earnings from Continuing Operations was a
loss of $20 million, including a non-cash pre-tax
impairment charge of $53 million for acquisition-
related goodwill.
Our 2014 results were affected by non-cash,
pre-tax charges totaling $7 million in our continuing
operations. In December, we made pension
settlement offers to certain employees and former
employees of our airlines, which reduced our
long-term pension liabilities.
Our principal achievement in 2014 was the
negotiation of an agreement, completed and signed in
January 2015, to extend our support of DHL’s North
American air network through March 2019. That
agreement includes longer commitments for the 13
Boeing 767 freighters we first dry-leased to DHL in
2010, plus two others they agreed to lease for four
years. The Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (CMI)
services agreement, under which we operate and
maintain those freighters, will also run through March
2019. The operating agreement is structured to incent
us to optimize our DHL-dedicated services for peak
efficiency, and is easily expanded to meet DHL’s
growth requirements.
Our fleet now consists of 46 Boeing 767 freighters,
plus eight Boeing 757 freighters and combination
freighter/passenger aircraft, all converted from
passenger aircraft and company owned. On average,
they have more than two-thirds of their projected
useful lives remaining, and nearly all are in dedicated
service to customers.
A year ago, we said we were well positioned for a
cargo-market recovery, and events since then have
borne us out. The seven 767 freighters we placed with
dry-lease customers in the 12 months ended this April
are the most we have placed in a twelve-month period
since our March 2010 agreement with DHL. On a
combined basis at April 1, 2015, the future dry-lease
term commitment for our customers has grown by
more than one third compared to the end of 2013.
We have unexpired term remaining on our portfolio
of externally leased aircraft totaling 1,081 months.
Months of dry-lease commitments
by external customers
1,081
as of
April 1, 2015
808
as of
Dec. 31, 2013
4
1
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
The fleet we have assembled is adequate for the
moment, but based on the clear signs of improving
customer demand we are seeing, might not be for long.
After deploying our aircraft at a near-record pace
under multi-year commitments last year, we’re mindful
that the same economic recovery and fuel-price relief
that bolsters freighter demand is also extending the life
of midsize passenger aircraft that we traditionally have
purchased and converted into freighters.
At this time, Cargo Aircraft Management, our
leasing business, has no new aircraft purchases and
modifications on its schedule, after purchasing our
46th Boeing 767 freighter in February. With very few
underutilized freighters and a tight feedstock market
for 767 aircraft, growth opportunities may point us
toward investments in other aircraft types.
Most of our recent dry leases were underutilized
freighters that CAM had been leasing to our airlines,
ABX Air and Air Transport International. Returning
those aircraft to CAM and placing them with external
customers was a major factor in the turnaround of our
airline segment last year, along with additional
operations for new customers. The airlines segment’s
pre-tax margin improved by $20 million in 2014 net
of settlement and impairment charges, and it achieved
a pre-tax profit net of settlement charges for the final
three quarters of 2014.
In 2014, our airlines continued to adjust their
workforces and cost structures to reflect smaller
fleets, and scaled-back international operations for
commercial customers. At the same time, however,
our newer 757 combi passenger/freighter aircraft
completed a full year serving remote U.S. military
bases around the world. Despite the Pentagon’s
sharp cutbacks in outsourcing of military airlift to
commercial operators elsewhere, its use of our combis
to serve those remote locations has continued for more
than two decades. Having invested in the more
efficient 757 platform to serve their requirements,
we anticipate continuing to fly these routes for many
years to come.
We have also had growing success in placing
aircraft under arrangements with terms that
accommodate a transition from a shorter-term wet-
lease to a multi-year dry-lease commitment, once
experience demonstrates the return that our freighters
can generate for customers under the wet lease.
We have already deployed two freighters under such
arrangements in 2015, and plan to do more.
This tilt in our placement mix toward external dry
leases is a sign of improving customer confidence,
and the critical feature of the balanced business
strategy we put in place five years ago. We have the
unique ability among our direct competitors to build
long-term cash-flow visibility by expanding our dry
lease portfolio while also adapting to periods of
greater market uncertainty with shorter-term wet-
lease placements.
2014 also marked the completion of expanded
hangar facilities at our Airborne Maintenance and
Engineering Services location in Wilmington.
AMES has established several new customer
relationships since the new hangar opened a year ago,
and earned FAA certifications to service a wider range
of commercial aircraft, up to and including the
Boeing 777 and Airbus 320 series. We regard our
airframe maintenance capabilities as best-in-class,
and it remains a key component of the customized
aircraft and support services solutions that we alone
can offer in the medium wide-body space.
2
3
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
The fleet we have assembled is adequate for the
moment, but based on the clear signs of improving
customer demand we are seeing, might not be for long.
After deploying our aircraft at a near-record pace
under multi-year commitments last year, we’re mindful
that the same economic recovery and fuel-price relief
that bolsters freighter demand is also extending the life
of midsize passenger aircraft that we traditionally have
purchased and converted into freighters.
At this time, Cargo Aircraft Management, our
leasing business, has no new aircraft purchases and
modifications on its schedule, after purchasing our
46th Boeing 767 freighter in February. With very few
underutilized freighters and a tight feedstock market
for 767 aircraft, growth opportunities may point us
toward investments in other aircraft types.
Most of our recent dry leases were underutilized
freighters that CAM had been leasing to our airlines,
ABX Air and Air Transport International. Returning
those aircraft to CAM and placing them with external
customers was a major factor in the turnaround of our
airline segment last year, along with additional
operations for new customers. The airlines segment’s
pre-tax margin improved by $20 million in 2014 net
of settlement and impairment charges, and it achieved
a pre-tax profit net of settlement charges for the final
three quarters of 2014.
In 2014, our airlines continued to adjust their
workforces and cost structures to reflect smaller
fleets, and scaled-back international operations for
commercial customers. At the same time, however,
our newer 757 combi passenger/freighter aircraft
completed a full year serving remote U.S. military
bases around the world. Despite the Pentagon’s
sharp cutbacks in outsourcing of military airlift to
commercial operators elsewhere, its use of our combis
to serve those remote locations has continued for more
than two decades. Having invested in the more
efficient 757 platform to serve their requirements,
we anticipate continuing to fly these routes for many
years to come.
We have also had growing success in placing
aircraft under arrangements with terms that
accommodate a transition from a shorter-term wet-
lease to a multi-year dry-lease commitment, once
experience demonstrates the return that our freighters
can generate for customers under the wet lease.
We have already deployed two freighters under such
arrangements in 2015, and plan to do more.
This tilt in our placement mix toward external dry
leases is a sign of improving customer confidence,
and the critical feature of the balanced business
strategy we put in place five years ago. We have the
unique ability among our direct competitors to build
long-term cash-flow visibility by expanding our dry
lease portfolio while also adapting to periods of
greater market uncertainty with shorter-term wet-
lease placements.
2014 also marked the completion of expanded
hangar facilities at our Airborne Maintenance and
Engineering Services location in Wilmington.
AMES has established several new customer
relationships since the new hangar opened a year ago,
and earned FAA certifications to service a wider range
of commercial aircraft, up to and including the
Boeing 777 and Airbus 320 series. We regard our
airframe maintenance capabilities as best-in-class,
and it remains a key component of the customized
aircraft and support services solutions that we alone
can offer in the medium wide-body space.
2
3
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
In 2015, we expect to roughly match our 2014
performance when measured against our cash-
flow yardsticks, even without any additional
aircraft deployments.
But the ratio of our cash flow to our fixed cash
commitments to creditors and our pension plans is
now the lowest it has ever been. That’s due in large
part to our lower-risk, less capital intensive approach
to fleet development through passenger-to-freighter
conversions, our focus on the midsize freighter
niche, and the attractiveness of our hybrid leasing/
operating platform.
The extension of our long DHL relationship under
the amended agreements effective in April 2015 also
coincides with the retirement of our promissory note
with them, along with the restrictions it placed on our
capital allocation options. We have reduced our term
debt and preserved more than adequate access to credit
under our revolving facility, at even better rates than
before. Our pension and other benefit obligations are
well managed, and our capital commitments for 2015
are smaller than they have been in years.
Against that backdrop of solid business results and
an improving outlook, your Board has authorized the
repurchase of up to $50 million of our common shares
as a way to return a portion of our uncommitted cash
to the owners of the company. This authorization,
coupled with our low financial leverage and the security
of strong future cash flows, provides us with an array of
capital allocation options to maximize shareholder
returns. These options are not mutually exclusive, and
we expect to make effective use of several.
Even with the sharp appreciation in our share price
since the repurchase authorization last August, we
regard the return of cash as an effective tool to
supplement those returns in the future. We intend to
begin a repurchase program as the year progresses,
while also searching for good investment opportunities
that can extend our superior performance well into
the future.
Throughout 2015, we will guide ATSG’s teams
toward new operational targets that best preserve the
cash-flow generating power that yielded the flexibility
and choices we enjoy today. As the year unfolds, I look
forward to reporting more good news about our
performance and prospects for ever-greater returns for
our shareholders.
James H. Carey
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the
shareholders, I also want to express our appreciation for
the long and dedicated service that Jim Carey has
devoted to the Company as a director and Chairman of
the Board. This year Jim is retiring from our Board,
where he has served since ATSG’s inception as a public
company in 2003. He also served on the Board of
Airborne Inc. prior to ATSG’s separation from
Airborne in the Airborne-DHL merger. His direction
of the Board, and counsel to me and other members of
management, have been major contributors to our
success. We wish him all the best in retirement.
Joseph C. Hete
President & Chief Executive Officer
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
To Our Shareholders
2014 was a year of substantial growth in our leasing
business and significant improvement in our airlines’
performance, placing us in an even stronger financial
position leading into 2015.
Those achievements followed a decade of substantial
investments in our fleet, the 2013 reorganization of our
airline businesses, and last year’s significant pickup in
the air cargo market after several years of economic
uncertainty and high fuel prices.
Our revenues grew $10 million to $590 million in
2014, although they were down for the year when
excluding revenues from customer reimbursed expenses.
This was mainly because we had more freighters
operating abroad during 2013 generating large revenue
streams, especially those serving Mideast routes.
Earnings from Continuing Operations were $32
million, or $0.49 per share on a fully diluted basis. In
2013, our Earnings from Continuing Operations was a
loss of $20 million, including a non-cash pre-tax
impairment charge of $53 million for acquisition-
related goodwill.
Our 2014 results were affected by non-cash,
pre-tax charges totaling $7 million in our continuing
operations. In December, we made pension
settlement offers to certain employees and former
employees of our airlines, which reduced our
long-term pension liabilities.
Our principal achievement in 2014 was the
negotiation of an agreement, completed and signed in
January 2015, to extend our support of DHL’s North
American air network through March 2019. That
agreement includes longer commitments for the 13
Boeing 767 freighters we first dry-leased to DHL in
2010, plus two others they agreed to lease for four
years. The Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (CMI)
services agreement, under which we operate and
maintain those freighters, will also run through March
2019. The operating agreement is structured to incent
us to optimize our DHL-dedicated services for peak
efficiency, and is easily expanded to meet DHL’s
growth requirements.
Our fleet now consists of 46 Boeing 767 freighters,
plus eight Boeing 757 freighters and combination
freighter/passenger aircraft, all converted from
passenger aircraft and company owned. On average,
they have more than two-thirds of their projected
useful lives remaining, and nearly all are in dedicated
service to customers.
A year ago, we said we were well positioned for a
cargo-market recovery, and events since then have
borne us out. The seven 767 freighters we placed with
dry-lease customers in the 12 months ended this April
are the most we have placed in a twelve-month period
since our March 2010 agreement with DHL. On a
combined basis at April 1, 2015, the future dry-lease
term commitment for our customers has grown by
more than one third compared to the end of 2013.
We have unexpired term remaining on our portfolio
of externally leased aircraft totaling 1,081 months.
Months of dry-lease commitments
by external customers
1,081
as of
April 1, 2015
808
as of
Dec. 31, 2013
4
1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
Commission file number 000-50368
________________________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________________________
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
26-1631624
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, OH 45177
(Address of principal executive offices)
937-382-5591
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________________________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 per share
(Title of class)
Name of each exchange on which registered: NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES
NO
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES
NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES
NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES
NO
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at
which the common equity was last sold, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:
$438,608,807. As of March 9, 2015, 64,928,664 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01, were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 7, 2015 are incorporated by reference into
Part III.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,” in Item 7, that are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Words such as “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “will,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,”
“intends” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this filing, and involve risks and uncertainties that are inherently difficult to predict.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements for any number of reasons, including those
described in “Risk Factors” starting on page 10 and in “Results of Operations” starting on page 23.
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
2014 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART I
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Equity Securities
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES
PART IV
Page
1
10
16
16
17
17
18
21
22
38
39
71
71
73
73
74
74
74
74
74
80
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General Development of Business
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. ("ATSG"), is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, provides aircraft
leasing, airline operations, aircraft maintenance and other support services to the air cargo transportation and package
delivery industries. We offer a range of complementary services to delivery companies, freight forwarders, airlines
and government customers (When the context requires, we may use the terms “Company” and “ATSG” in this report
to refer to the business of ATSG and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.). Our services are summarized below.
Aircraft leasing: ATSG's leasing subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc. (“CAM”) leases cargo aircraft to
ATSG's airlines and to external customers. CAM services global demand for medium range and medium capacity
airlift by offering Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft leases. CAM is able to provide competitive lease rates by monitoring
the related passenger aircraft sale markets, acquiring passenger aircraft based on projected into-service costs and rate
of return targets, then managing the modification of passenger aircraft into freighters. As a result, the converted freighters
can be deployed into regional markets more economically than larger capacity aircraft or competing alternatives. CAM's
aircraft leases are typically under multi-year agreements.
ACMI services: ATSG wholly owns two airlines, ABX Air, Inc. (“ABX”) and Air Transport International, Inc.
(“ATI”), each independently certificated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Company's airlines contract
directly with customers to supply a combination of aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance services, commonly
referred to as ACMI services. ABX operates Boeing 767 freighter aircraft, while ATI operates Boeing 767 and Boeing
757 freighter and 757 "combi" aircraft. Combi aircraft are capable of carrying passengers and cargo containers on the
main flight deck. The airlines can conduct cargo operations worldwide.
Support services: Customers who lease our aircraft typically need related services, such as scheduled aircraft
maintenance, aircraft line maintenance, crew training and other transportation related solutions which our subsidiaries
can provide. The support services we provide to freight forwarders and other airlines provide us with a competitive
advantage for diversification and incremental revenues. Our businesses and subsidiaries providing support services
are summarized below.
• ABX provides flight crew training, flight simulator rental and aircraft line maintenance services;
• Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc. (“AMES”) is an aircraft maintenance, repair and
overhaul business;
• AMES Material Services, Inc. ("AMS") resells and brokers aircraft parts;
• LGSTX Services, Inc. (“LGSTX”) provides material handling and ground equipment maintenance and ground
equipment rentals for aircraft support;
• LGSTX Distribution Services, Inc. ("LDS") operates mail sorting centers for the U.S Postal Service ("USPS");
• Global Flight Source, Inc. ("GFS") provides aircraft dispatch and flight tracking services.
Airborne Global Solutions, Inc. ("AGS") is our subsidiary that assists our businesses in achieving their sales and
marketing plans. AGS leverages the entire portfolio of the Company's subsidiaries' capabilities to develop bundled,
turn-key cargo airline solutions that are flexible, customized and built on our experience in global cargo airline
operations. AGS provides sales leads to our subsidiaries by identifying customers' business and operational
requirements.
ATSG is incorporated in Delaware and its headquarters is in Wilmington, Ohio. ATSG's common shares are publicly
traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol ATSG. ATSG was formed on December 31, 2007, from the
reorganization of ABX for the purpose of creating a holding company structure. ABX was incorporated in 1980.
Between 1980 and August 2003, ABX was an affiliate of Airborne, Inc. (“Airborne”), a publicly traded, integrated
delivery service provider. On August 15, 2003, ABX was separated from Airborne and became an independent publicly
traded company, in conjunction with the acquisition of Airborne by an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of DHL
Worldwide Express, B.V. In 2004, we established LDS to provide mail sorting services to the USPS. The Company
acquired CAM, ATI and Capital Cargo International Airlines, Inc. ("CCIA") on December 31, 2007. ATI began
operations in 1979 and was an affiliate of BAX Global, Inc. (“BAX/Schenker”) prior to 2006. In 2009, the aircraft
maintenance operations of ABX, including a hangar facility in Wilmington, were spun-out into AMES, a wholly-owned
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subsidiary of the Company. Similarly, in 2010, the material handling and aviation ground support operations of ABX
were spun-out into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, now known as LGSTX. During 2013, we merged
CCIA into ATI, with ATI as the surviving entity.
In January 2014, the Company acquired a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic AB of Gothenburg, Sweden.
West Atlantic AB, through its two airlines, Atlantic Airlines Ltd. and West Air Sweden AB, operates a fleet of
approximately 40 aircraft and is Europe’s largest regional cargo aircraft operator. West Atlantic AB operates its aircraft
on behalf of European regional mail carriers and express logistics providers. The airlines operate a combined fleet of
British Aerospace ATPs, Bombardier CRJ-200-PFs, and Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition, West Air Sweden AB is
adding the Boeing 767 aircraft to its operating capability.
Description of Business
The Company has two reportable segments, “ACMI Services" and "CAM." Due to the similarities among the
Company's airline operations, they are aggregated into a single reportable segment - ACMI Services. The Company’s
other business operations, including aircraft maintenance and modification services, aircraft part sales, equipment
leasing and maintenance and mail handling for the USPS do not constitute reportable segments due to their size.
Customer revenues for 2014 are summarized below. Additional financial information about our segments and
geographical revenues is presented in Note N to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
ACMI Services
Aircraft leasing
Support services
External revenues (in thousands)
Subsidiaries and businesses
$439,919
ABX, ATI
$77,668
CAM
$72,005
ABX, AMES,
AMS, GFS,
LDS, LGSTX
DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and its affiliates (individually and collectively, "DHL"), is the Company's
largest customer. Business with DHL totaled 55% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2014, while the U.S.
Military comprised 16% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2014.
The Company, through ABX, has had long term contracts with DHL since August 15, 2003. Under the current
commercial agreements, which began in March of 2010, DHL leases 13 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft from CAM, each
for a term of seven years and ABX separately operates those aircraft for DHL in its U.S. network under a five year
crew, maintenance and insurance agreement ("CMI agreement") which was set to expire in March 2015. As of December
31, 2014, ABX was also operating seven other Boeing 767 aircraft under short -term arrangements, as well as two DHL
owned Boeing 767 aircraft, for DHL's U.S network. Additionally, ATI operates four Boeing 757 aircraft under ACMI
agreements in DHL's U.S network.
In January 2015, the Company and DHL entered into an amended and restated CMI agreement ("restated CMI
agreement") pursuant to which ABX will continue to operate Boeing 767 aircraft for DHL, and that adds at least two
Boeing 767 aircraft leases and extends the existing 13 long term aircraft leases through March of 2019. As a result,
effective April 1, 2015, CAM will lease to DHL two more Boeing 767 aircraft that presently support DHL under short-
term arrangements, the existing monthly aircraft lease rates will decline approximately 5% and all Boeing 767 aircraft
lease terms with DHL will extend through March 2019. Further, the Company will continue to operate and maintain
the aircraft through March 2019 under the restated CMI agreement.
CAM
As of December 31, 2014, CAM’s fleet consisted of 53 serviceable Boeing 767 and 757 cargo aircraft. A complete
list of the Company's aircraft is included in Item 2, Properties.
CAM leases aircraft to ATSG's airlines and to external customers, including DHL, usually under multi-year contracts
with a schedule of fixed monthly payments. Under a typical lease arrangement, the customer maintains the aircraft in
serviceable condition at its own cost. At the end of the lease term, the customer is typically required to return the
aircraft in approximately the same maintenance condition that existed at the inception of the lease, as measured by
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airframe and engine time since the last scheduled maintenance event. CAM examines the credit worthiness of potential
customers, their short and long term growth prospects, their financial condition and backing, the experience of their
management, and the impact of governmental regulation when determining the lease rate that is offered to the customer.
In addition, CAM monitors the customer’s business and financial status throughout the term of the lease.
Through CAM, we have expanded in recent years the Company's combined fleet of Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft
and retired less efficient Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas DC-8 freighter aircraft. CAM has managed the
modification of aircraft into cargo aircraft as well as purchased previously modified cargo aircraft. Since the beginning
of 2012, CAM has deployed six Boeing 767-300 and five Boeing 757 aircraft into its fleet.
ACMI Services
Through the Company's two airline subsidiaries, we provide airline operations to DHL, other airlines, freight
forwarders and the U.S. Military. A typical operating agreement requires our airline to supply, at a specific rate per
block hour and/or per month, the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance ("ACMI") for specified cargo operations.
The customer is responsible for substantially all other aircraft operating expenses, including fuel, landing fees, parking
fees and ground and cargo handling expenses. The airlines also operate charter agreements, including with the U.S.
Military, which require the airline to provide full service, including fuel and other operating expenses, in addition to
aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, for a fixed, all-inclusive price.
Demand for air cargo services correlates closely with general economic conditions and the level of commercial
activity in a geographic area. Stronger general economic conditions and growth in a region typically increase the need
for product transportation. Historically, the cargo industry has experienced higher volumes during the fourth calendar
quarter of each year due to increased shipments during the holiday season. Generally, time-critical delivery needs,
such as just-in-time inventory management, increase the demand for air cargo delivery, while higher costs of aviation
fuel generally reduces the demand for air delivery services. When aviation fuel prices increase, shippers will consider
using ground transportation if the delivery time allows.
Our airlines operate medium payload and medium wide-body aircraft freighters usually on intra-continental flights
and medium range inter-continental flights. The airlines typically operate our aircraft in the customers' regional networks
that connect to and from global cargo networks. We do not operate larger capacity, long haul inter-continental freighters
such as the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 aircraft. The freighter types we operate have lower investment and ongoing
maintenance costs and can operate cost efficiently with smaller loads on shorter routes than the larger capacity freighters.
Our airlines provide airlift to the Air Mobility Command ("AMC") through contracts awarded by the U.S.
Transportation Command ("USTC"), both of which are organized under the U.S. Military. ATI contracts with the AMC
for the operation of its unique fleet of four Boeing 757 "combi" aircraft, which are capable of simultaneously carrying
passengers and cargo containers on the main flight deck. ATI has been operating combi aircraft for the U.S. Military
since 1993. During 2013, ATI retired its four DC-8 combi aircraft and replaced the aircraft with the more modern
Boeing 757 combi aircraft. The USTC awards flights to U.S. certificated airlines through annual contracts and awarded
ATI three international routes for combi aircraft through September of 2015. These routes are not based on or related
to conflicts in the Middle East. Additionally, our airlines may operate temporary "expansion" routes for the U.S Military
using its Boeing 757 combi and Boeing 767 freighter aircraft.
CCIA and ATI each provided airlift to BAX/Schenker's North American network through ACMI agreements using
Boeing 727 and DC-8 aircraft, respectively. However, in 2011, BAX/Schenker announced its decision to phase out its
dedicated air cargo network in North America, which was supported by the Company. Instead of a dedicated aircraft
network, BAX/Schenker began to utilize DHL and other delivery services for its air transportation delivery requirements.
Beginning in January 2012, the Company contracted with DHL to supplement DHL's U.S. air network to service BAX/
Schenker's freight volumes on DHL's expanded air network. By the end of 2012, we retired the remaining Boeing 727
and DC-8 freighter aircraft, replacing their capacity with Boeing 767 aircraft. To further streamline our operations, we
completed the merger of ATI and CCIA's airline operations in the first quarter of 2013. The combined operation benefits
from a standardized fleet, two person flight crew, common pilot type rating and the improved reliability of the Boeing
767 and Boeing 757 aircraft as compared to the Boeing 727 and DC-8 freighter aircraft formerly operated.
Approximately 13% of the Company's consolidated revenues for 2014 were derived from providing airline
operations for customers other than DHL and the U.S. Military. These ACMI and charter operations are typically
provided to freight forwarders or other airlines and have non-U.S. destinations.
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We have limited exposure to fluctuations in the price of aviation fuel under contracts with our customers. DHL,
like most of our ACMI customers, procures the aircraft fuel and fueling services necessary for their flights. Our charter
agreements with the U.S. Military are based on a preset pegged fuel price and include a subsequent true-up to the actual
fuel prices.
Aircraft Maintenance and Modification Services
We provide aircraft maintenance and modification services to other air carriers through our ABX and AMES
subsidiaries. ABX and AMES have technical expertise related to aircraft modifications as a result of ABX’s long history
in aviation. They own many Supplemental Type Certificates (“STCs”). An STC is granted by the FAA and represents
an ownership right, similar to an intellectual property right, which authorizes the alteration of an airframe, engine or
component.
AMES operates a Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) certificated 145 repair station in Wilmington, Ohio,
including hangars, a component shop and engineering capabilities. AMES is AS9100 quality certified for the aerospace
industry. AMES markets its capabilities by identifying aviation-related maintenance and modification opportunities
and matching them to its capabilities. AMES’ marketable capabilities include the installation of avionics systems and
flat panel displays for Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. The flat panel display modernizes aircraft avionics equipment and
reduces maintenance costs by combining multiple display units into a single instrumentation panel. In 2014, the
Company completed the construction of a new hangar facility bringing the total hangar square footage to 310,000.
While the original facility houses aircraft as large as the Boeing 767, the new hangar provides the capability of servicing
airframes as large as the Boeing 747 and the Boeing 777 aircraft. AMES has the capability to perform line maintenance
and airframe maintenance on McDonnell Douglas DC-9, MD-80, Boeing 767, 757, 737, 777, 727 and Airbus A320
aircraft. AMES also has the capability to refurbish airframe components, including approximately 60% of the
components utilized by Boeing 767 aircraft.
Aircraft Parts Sales and Brokerage
AMS is an Aviation Suppliers Association 100 Certified reseller and broker of aircraft parts. AMS carries an
inventory of Boeing 767, DC-9 and DC-8 spare parts and also maintains inventory on consignment from original
equipment manufacturers, resellers, lessors and other airlines. AMS customers include the commercial air cargo
industry, passenger airlines, aircraft manufacturers and contract maintenance companies serving the commercial
aviation industry, as well as other resellers.
Equipment and Facility Maintenance
LGSTX provides contract maintenance services for material handling equipment and aviation ground support
equipment throughout the U.S. LGSTX has a large inventory of ground support equipment, such as power units,
airstarts, deicers and pushback vehicles that it rents to airports, airlines and other customers. LGSTX is also licensed
to resell aircraft fuel.
U.S. Postal Service
Since September 2004, we have provided mail sorting services under contracts with the USPS. Our subsidiary,
LDS, manages USPS mail sort centers in Indianapolis, Dallas and Memphis. Under each of these three contracts, we
are compensated at a firm price for fixed costs and an additional amount based on the volume of mail handled at each
sort center. LDS also provides labor for load transfer services to the USPS at two facilities. The contacts for the five
facilities have been extended from their original expiration dates in 2014 and are currently scheduled to expire during
2015. We understand that the USPS is evaluating contract renewals and internal alternatives for these five facilities.
The contract for some or all of these facilities may not be renewed. LDS also provides international mail forwarding
services through the Miami International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport.
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Flight Support
ABX is FAA-certificated to offer flight crew training to customers and rent usage of its flight simulators for outside
training programs. ABX has three flight simulators in operation. ABX’s Boeing 767 and DC-9 flight simulators are
level C certified. The level C flight simulators allow ABX to qualify flight crewmembers under FAA requirements
without performing check flights in an aircraft. The DC-8 simulator is level B certified, which allows ABX to qualify
flight crewmembers by performing a minimum number of flights in an aircraft.
The Company's GFS business provides aircraft dispatch and flight monitoring to ABX and ATI. GFS can provide
these services to U.S certificated supplemental air carriers and foreign air carriers.
Competitive Conditions
Our airline subsidiaries compete with other cargo airlines to place aircraft under ACMI arrangements and charter
contracts. Other cargo airlines include Amerijet International, Inc., Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Kalitta Air
LLC, National Air Cargo Group, Inc. and Southern Air, Inc. The primary competitive factors in the air cargo industry
are operating costs, fuel efficiency, geographic coverage, aircraft range, aircraft reliability and capacity. The cost of
airline operations is significantly impacted by the cost of flight crewmembers, which can vary among airlines depending
on their collective bargaining agreements. Cargo airlines also compete for cargo volumes with passenger airlines that
have substantial belly cargo capacity. The air cargo industry is capital intensive and highly competitive, especially
during periods of excess capacity of aircraft compared to cargo volumes.
The scheduled delivery industry is dominated by integrated door-to-door carriers including DHL, TNT Holdings
B.V., the USPS, FedEx Corporation and United Parcel Service, Inc. Although the volume of our business is impacted
by competition among these integrated carriers, we do not usually compete directly with them.
Competition for aircraft lease placements is generally affected by aircraft type, aircraft availability and lease rates.
We target our leases to cargo airlines and delivery companies seeking medium widebody airlift. The Airbus A300-600
and A330 aircraft can provide capabilities similar to the Boeing 767 for medium widebody airlift.
The aircraft maintenance industry is labor intensive and typically competes based on cost, capabilities and reputation
for quality. U.S. airlines may contract for aircraft maintenance with maintenance and repair organizations ("MROs")
in other countries or geographies with a lower labor wage base, making the industry highly cost competitive.
Airline Operations
Flight Operations and Control
Each of the Company's airline operations are conducted pursuant to authority granted to them by the FAA. Airline
flight operations, including aircraft dispatching, flight tracking and crew scheduling are planned and controlled by
personnel within each airline. The Company staffs aircraft dispatching and flight tracking 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week.
Aircraft Maintenance
Our airlines’ operations are regulated by the FAA for aircraft safety and maintenance. Each airline performs routine
inspections and airframe maintenance, including Airworthiness Directive and Service Bulletin compliance on all of
their aircraft. The airlines’ maintenance and engineering personnel coordinate routine and non-routine maintenance
requirements. Each airline’s maintenance program includes tracking the maintenance status of each aircraft, consulting
with manufacturers and suppliers about procedures to correct irregularities and training maintenance personnel on the
requirements of its FAA-approved maintenance program. The airlines contract with MROs, including AMES, to perform
heavy maintenance on airframes and engines. Each airline owns and maintains an inventory of spare aircraft engines,
auxiliary power units, aircraft parts and consumable items. The quantity of spare items maintained is based on the fleet
size, engine type operated and the reliability history of the item types.
Insurance
Our airline subsidiaries are required by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to carry a minimum amount of
aircraft liability insurance. Their aircraft leases, loan agreements and ACMI agreements also require them to carry such
insurance. The Company currently maintains public liability and property damage insurance, and our airline subsidiaries
5
currently maintain aircraft hull and liability insurance and war risk insurance for their respective aircraft fleets in
amounts consistent with industry standards. CAM’s customers are also required to maintain similar insurance coverage.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 1,810 full-time and part-time employees. The Company
employed approximately 320 flight crewmembers, 880 aircraft maintenance technicians and flight support personnel,
320 warehousing, sorting and logistics personnel, 115 employees for airport maintenance and logistics, 20 employees
for sales and marketing and 155 employees for administrative functions. On December 31, 2013, the Company had
approximately 1,800 full-time and part-time employees. In addition to full time and part time employees, the Company
typically has approximately 800 temporary employees mainly serving the USPS operations and aircraft line maintenance
operations.
Labor Agreements
The Company’s flight crewmembers are unionized employees. The table below summarizes the representation of
the Company’s flight crewmembers at December 31, 2014.
Airline
ABX
ATI
Labor Agreement Unit
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Air Line Pilots Association
Contract
Amendable
Date
12/31/2014
5/28/2014
Percentage of
the Company’s
Employees
12.0%
5.9%
Under the Railway Labor Act (“RLA”), as amended, the crewmember labor agreements do not expire, so the existing
contract remains in effect throughout any negotiation process. If required, mediation under the RLA is conducted by
the National Mediation Board, which has the sole discretion as to how long mediation can last and when it will end.
In addition to direct negotiations and mediation, the RLA includes a provision for potential arbitration of unresolved
issues and a 30-day “cooling-off” period before either party can resort to self-help, including, but not limited to, a work
stoppage.
Training
The flight crewmembers are required to be licensed in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”),
with specific ratings for the aircraft type to be flown, and to be medically certified as physically fit to operate aircraft.
Licenses and medical certifications are subject to recurrent requirements as set forth in the FARs, to include recurrent
training and minimum amounts of recent flying experience.
The FAA mandates initial and recurrent training for most flight, maintenance and engineering personnel. Mechanics
and quality control inspectors must also be licensed and qualified to perform maintenance on Company operated and
maintained aircraft. Our airline subsidiaries pay for all of the recurrent training required for their flight crewmembers
and provide training for their ground service and maintenance personnel. Their training programs have received all
required FAA approvals. Similarly, our flight dispatchers and flight followers receive FAA approved training on the
airlines' requirements and specific aircraft.
Intellectual Property
The Company owns a small number of U.S. patents that have a nominal commercial value. The Company also
owns many STCs issued by the FAA. The Company uses these STCs mainly in support of its own fleets; however,
AMES has marketed certain STCs to other airlines.
Information Systems
The Company has invested significant management and financial resources in the development of information
systems to facilitate flight and maintenance operations. We utilize systems to maintain records about the maintenance
status and history of each major aircraft component, as required by FAA regulations. Using the systems, we track and
control inventories and costs associated with each maintenance task, including the personnel performing those tasks.
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In addition, the Company’s flight operations systems coordinate flight schedules and crew schedules. We have developed
and procured systems to track crewmember flight and duty times, and crewmember training status.
Regulation
Our subsidiaries’ airline operations are generally regulated by the DOT, the FAA and the Transportation Security
Administration (“TSA”). Those operations must comply with numerous economic, safety, security and environmental
laws, ordinances and regulations. In addition, they must also comply with various other federal, state, local and foreign
laws and regulations.
Environment
Under current federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner
or operator of real property may be liable for the costs of removal or clean-up of hazardous or toxic substances on,
under, or in such property. These laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was
responsible for, the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. In addition, the presence of contamination from
hazardous or toxic substances, or the failure to properly clean up contaminated property, may adversely affect the ability
of the owner of the property to use the property as collateral for a loan or to sell such property. Environmental laws
also may impose restrictions on the manner in which a property may be used or transferred or in which a business
located thereon may be operated and may impose remediation or compliance costs. Under its former air park sublease
with DHL, ABX and DHL are required to defend, indemnify and hold each other harmless from and against certain
environmental claims associated with the Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to regulate aircraft emissions and has historically
implemented emissions control standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO"). Our
subsidiaries’ aircraft currently meet all known requirements for engine emission levels as applicable by engine design
date. Under the Clean Air Act, individual states or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may adopt regulations
requiring reductions in emissions for one or more localities based on the measured air quality at such localities. These
regulations may seek to limit or restrict emissions by restricting the use of emission-producing ground service equipment
or aircraft auxiliary power units. Further, the U.S. Congress has, in the past, considered legislation that would regulate
greenhouse gas emissions, and some form of federal climate change legislation is possible in the future.
In addition, the European Commission has approved the extension of the European Union Emissions Trading
Scheme ("ETS") for greenhouse gas emissions to the airline industry. Currently, under the European Union’s ETS, all
ABX and ATI flights that are wholly within the European Union are covered by the ETS requirements, and each year
our airlines are required to submit emission allowances in an amount equal to the carbon dioxide emissions from such
flights. If the airlines flight activity during the year produced carbon emissions exceeding the number of carbon
emissions allowances that it had been awarded, the airline must acquire allowances from other airlines in the open
market. ABX and ATI currently operate intra-EU flights and management believes that such flights are operated in
compliance with ETS requirements.
In October 2013, at the 38th ICAO Assembly, the ICAO reached a non-binding agreement committing ICAO to
develop a global market-based measure to assist in achieving carbon neutral growth by 2020. The U.S. government,
working through the ICAO, has in the past adopted more stringent aircraft engine emissions regulations with regard to
newly certificated engines and aircraft noise regulations applicable to newly certificated aircraft. Although these rules
will not apply to any of our airline subsidiaries’ existing aircraft, additional rules could be adopted in the future that
would either apply these more stringent noise and emissions standards to aircraft already in operation or require that
some portion of the fleet be converted over time to comply with these new standards.
The federal government generally regulates aircraft engine noise at its source. However, local airport operators
may, under certain circumstances, regulate airport operations based on aircraft noise considerations. The Airport Noise
and Capacity Act of 1990 provides that, in the case of Stage 3 aircraft (all of our operating aircraft satisfy Stage 3 noise
compliance requirements), an airport operator must obtain the carriers’ consent to, or the government’s approval of,
the rule prior to its adoption. We believe the operation of our airline subsidiaries’ aircraft either complies with or is
exempt from compliance with currently applicable local airport rules. However, some airport authorities have adopted
local noise regulations, and, to the extent more stringent aircraft operating regulations are adopted on a widespread
7
basis, our airline subsidiaries may be required to spend substantial funds, make schedule changes or take other actions
to comply with such local rules.
Department of Transportation
The DOT maintains authority over certain aspects of domestic air transportation, such as requiring a minimum level
of insurance and the requirement that a person be “fit” to hold a certificate to engage in air transportation. In addition,
the DOT continues to regulate many aspects of international aviation, including the award of international routes. The
DOT has issued ABX a Domestic All-Cargo Air Service Certificate for air cargo transportation between all points within
the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The DOT has issued ATI certificate authority
to engage in scheduled interstate air transportation, which is currently limited to all-cargo operations. ATI's DOT
certificate authority also authorizes it to engage in interstate and foreign charter air transportation of persons, property
and mail. Additionally, the DOT has issued ABX and ATI Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity authorizing
each of them to engage in scheduled foreign air transportation of cargo and mail between the U.S. and all current and
future U.S. open-skies partner countries, which currently consists of over 100 foreign countries. ABX also holds
exemption authorities issued by the DOT to conduct scheduled all-cargo operations between the U.S. and certain foreign
countries with which the U.S. does not have an open-skies air transportation agreement.
By maintaining these certificates, the Company, through its airline subsidiaries, can conduct all-cargo charter
operations worldwide subject to the receipt of any necessary foreign government approvals. Prior to issuing such
certificates, and periodically thereafter, the DOT examines a company’s managerial competence, financial resources
and plans, compliance, disposition and citizenship in order to determine whether the carrier is fit, willing and able to
engage in the transportation services it has proposed to undertake.
The DOT has the authority to impose civil penalties, or to modify, suspend or revoke our certificates for cause,
including failure to comply with federal laws or DOT regulations. A corporation holding the above-referenced
certificates must qualify as a citizen of the United States, which, pursuant to federal law, requires that (1) it be organized
under the laws of the U.S. or a state, territory or possession thereof, (2) that its president and at least two-thirds of its
Board of Directors and other managing officers be U.S. citizens, (3) that less than 25% of its voting interest be owned
or controlled by non-U.S. citizens, and (4) that it not otherwise be subject to foreign control. We believe our airline
subsidiaries possess all necessary DOT-issued certificates and authorities to conduct our current operations and continue
to qualify as a citizen of the United States.
Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA regulates aircraft safety and flight operations generally, including equipment, ground facilities,
maintenance, flight dispatch, training, communications, the carriage of hazardous materials and other matters affecting
air safety. The FAA issues operating certificates and operations specifications to carriers that possess the technical
competence to conduct air carrier operations. In addition, the FAA issues certificates of airworthiness to each aircraft
that meets the requirements for aircraft design and maintenance. ABX and ATI believe they hold all airworthiness and
other FAA certificates and authorities required for the conduct of their business and the operation of their aircraft,
although the FAA has the power to suspend, modify or revoke such certificates for cause, or to impose civil penalties
for any failure to comply with federal laws and FAA regulations.
The FAA has the authority to issue regulations, airworthiness directives and other mandatory orders relating to,
among other things, the inspection, maintenance and modification of aircraft and the replacement of aircraft structures,
components and parts, based on industry safety findings, the age of the aircraft and other factors. For example, the FAA
has required ABX to perform inspections of its Boeing 767 aircraft to determine if certain of the aircraft structures and
components meet all aircraft certification requirements. If the FAA were to determine that the aircraft structures or
components are not adequate, it could order operators to take certain actions, including but not limited to, grounding
aircraft, reducing cargo loads, strengthening any structure or component shown to be inadequate, or making other
modifications to the aircraft. New mandatory directives could also be issued requiring the Company’s airline subsidiaries
to inspect and replace aircraft components based on their age or condition. As a routine matter, the FAA issues
airworthiness directives applicable to the aircraft operated by our airline subsidiaries, and our airlines comply, sometimes
at considerable cost, as part of their aircraft maintenance program.
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In addition to the FAA practice of issuing regulations and airworthiness directives as conditions warrant, the FAA
has adopted new regulations to address issues involving aging, but still economically viable, aircraft on a more systematic
basis. FAA regulations mandate that aircraft manufacturers establish aircraft limits of validity and service action
requirements based on aircraft flight cycles and flight hours before which widespread fatigue damage might occur.
Service action requirements include inspections and modifications to preclude development of widespread fatigue
damage in specific aircraft structural areas. The Boeing Company has provided its recommendations of the limits of
validity to the FAA, and the FAA has now approved the limits for the Boeing 757 and 767 model aircraft. Consequently,
after the limit of validity is reached for a particular model aircraft, air carriers will be unable to continue to operate the
aircraft without the FAA first granting an extension of time to the operator. There can be no assurance that the FAA
would extend the deadline, if one were to be requested. For the oldest aircraft in our fleets, we estimate the limit of
validity would not be reached for at least 20 years.
The FAA requires each of the airline subsidiaries to implement a drug and alcohol testing program with respect to
all employees that engage in safety sensitive functions. Each of the airlines comply with these regulations.
Transportation Security Administration
The TSA, an administration within the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for the screening of
passengers, baggage and cargo and the security of aircraft and airports. Our airline subsidiaries comply with all applicable
aircraft and cargo security requirements. The TSA has adopted cargo security-related rules that have imposed additional
burdens on our airlines and our customers. Among other things, the TSA requires each airline to perform criminal
history background checks on all employees. In addition, we may be required to reimburse the TSA for the cost of
security services it may provide to the Company’s airline subsidiaries in the future.
Department of Defense
ABX and ATI participate in the Department of Defense ("DOD") Civil Reserve Air Fleet ("CRAF") program. Our
participation in the CRAF program allows the DOD to requisition specified aircraft for military use during a national
defense emergency. The DOD compensates us for the use of aircraft under the CRAF program. In addition, participation
in CRAF entitles our airlines to bid for military cargo charter operations.
International Regulations
When operating in other countries, our airlines are subject to aviation agreements between the U.S. and the respective
countries or, in the absence of such an agreement, by principles of reciprocity. International aviation agreements are
periodically subject to renegotiation, and changes in U.S. or foreign governments could result in the alteration or
termination of the agreements affecting our international operations. Commercial arrangements such as ACMI
agreements between our airlines and our customers in other countries, may require the approval of foreign governmental
authorities. Foreign authorities may limit or restrict the use of our aircraft in certain countries. Also, foreign government
authorities often require licensing and business registration before beginning operations.
Other Regulations
Various regulatory authorities have jurisdiction over significant aspects of our business, and it is possible that new
laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations or the interpretations thereof could have a material adverse
effect on our operations. In addition to the above, other laws and regulations to which we are subject, and the agencies
responsible for compliance with such laws and regulations, include the following:
•
•
•
•
The labor relations of our airline subsidiaries are generally regulated under the Railway Labor Act, which
vests in the National Mediation Board certain regulatory powers with respect to disputes between airlines
and labor unions arising under collective bargaining agreements;
The Federal Communications Commission regulates our airline subsidiaries’ use of radio facilities pursuant
to the Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended;
U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspects cargo imported from our subsidiaries’ international
operations;
Our airlines must comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations regarding the
citizenship of our employees;
9
•
The Company and its subsidiaries must comply with wage, work conditions and other regulations of the
Department of Labor regarding our employees.
Security and Safety
Security
The Company’s subsidiaries have instituted various security procedures and protocols to comply with FAA and
TSA regulations. The airline subsidiaries’ customers are required to inform them in writing of the nature and composition
of any freight which is classified as “Dangerous Goods” by the DOT. In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries
conduct background checks on our respective employees, restrict access to aircraft, inspect aircraft for suspicious
persons or cargo, and inspect all dangerous goods. Notwithstanding these procedures, our airline subsidiaries could
unknowingly transport contraband or undeclared hazardous materials for customers, which could result in fines and
penalties and possible damage to the aircraft.
Safety and Inspections
Management is committed to the safe operation of its aircraft. In compliance with FAA regulations, our subsidiaries’
aircraft are subject to various levels of scheduled maintenance or “checks” and periodically go through phased overhauls.
In addition, a comprehensive internal audit and evaluation program is in place and active. Our subsidiaries’ aircraft
maintenance efforts are monitored closely by the FAA. They also conduct extensive safety checks on a regular basis.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Information about executive officers of the Company is provided in Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and
Corporate Governance, of this report, and is incorporated in this item by reference.
Available Information
Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports, are available free of charge from
our website at www.atsginc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. The SEC maintains an
Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Air Transport
Services Group, Inc. at www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks described below could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. The risks below
are not the only risks that the Company faces. Additional risks that are currently unknown to us or that we currently
consider immaterial or unlikely could also adversely affect the Company.
The economic conditions in the U.S. and throughout the globe may negatively impact the demand for the Company’s
aircraft and services.
Air cargo transportation volumes are strongly correlated to general economic conditions, including the price of
aviation fuel. An economic downturn could reduce the demand for delivery services offered by DHL and other delivery
businesses, in particular expedited services shipped via aircraft. Further, during an economic slowdown, customers
generally prefer to use ground-based or marine delivery services instead of more expensive air delivery services.
Accordingly, an economic downturn could reduce the demand for airlift and cargo aircraft leases. Additionally, if the
price of aviation fuel rises significantly, the demand for cargo aircraft and air delivery services may decline. During
periods of downward economic trends and rising fuel costs, freight forwarders and integrated delivery businesses are
more likely to defer market expansion plans. As a result, we may experience delays in the deployment of available
aircraft with customers under lease, ACMI or charter arrangements.
10
The recent agreement executed with DHL may impact the Company’s operating results and financial condition differently
than historical results.
In January 2015, the Company and DHL amended and restated the CMI agreement that would otherwise expire
in March 2015. The restated CMI agreement, which will be effective April 1, 2015, contains provisions that will effect
future operating results differently than the previous CMI agreement. Under the restated CMI agreement, the cost of
Boeing 767 airframe maintenance is included in the pre-defined price for services that ABX charges to DHL. Currently,
DHL is directly responsible for the costs of airframe maintenance of leased aircraft. Similarly, ABX may be required,
under the restated CMI agreement, to pay certain costs associated with engine maintenance events, currently paid or
reimbursed by DHL. Further, under the new agreement, the aircraft rental rates for 13 Boeing 767 aircraft were reduced,
effective April 1, 2015, while the term of the respective leases was extended through March of 2019.
Our costs incurred in providing airline services could be more than the contractual revenues generated.
Each airline develops business proposals for ACMI, charter, DHL and other operating contracts by projecting
operating costs, crew productivity and maintenance expenses. Projections contain key assumptions, including
maintenance costs, flight hours, aircraft reliability, crewmember productivity and crewmember compensation and
benefits. We may overestimate revenues, the level of crewmember productivity, and/or underestimate the actual costs
of providing services when preparing business proposals. If actual costs are higher than projected or aircraft reliability
is less than expected, future operating results may be negatively impacted.
The Company’s airlines rely on flight crews that are unionized. If collective bargaining agreements increase our
costs and we cannot recover such increases, it may be necessary for us to terminate customer contracts or curtail planned
growth. If disagreements arise, airline operations could be interrupted and business could be adversely affected until
agreements are reached with the crewmembers.
The rate of aircraft deployments may impact the Company’s operating results and financial condition.
The Company's future operating results and financial condition will depend in part on our subsidiaries’ ability to
successfully deploy aircraft in operations that provide a positive return on investment. Our success will depend, in
part, on their ability to secure additional cargo volumes from customers, in both U.S. and international markets.
Deploying aircraft in international markets can pose additional risks, regulatory requirements and costs.
The actual demand for Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft may be less than we anticipate. The actual lease rates for aircraft
available for lease may be less than we projected, or new leases may start later than we expect. Further, other airlines
and lessors may be willing to offer aircraft to the market under terms more favorable to lessees.
Our airline operating agreements include on-time reliability requirements which can impact the Company's operating
results and financial condition.
Certain of our airline operating agreements contain monthly incentive payments for reaching specific on-time
reliability thresholds. Additionally, such airline operating agreements contain monetary penalties for aircraft reliability
below certain thresholds. As a result, our operating revenues may vary from period to period depending on the
achievement of monthly incentives or the imposition of penalties. Further, an airline could be found in default of an
agreement if it does not maintain minimum thresholds over an extended period of time.
If ABX fails to maintain aircraft reliability above a minimum threshold under the restated CMI agreement for two
consecutive calendar months or three months in a rolling twelve month period, ABX would be in default of the restated
CMI agreement with DHL. In that event, DHL may elect to terminate the restated CMI agreement, unless ABX maintains
the minimum reliability threshold during a 60-day cure period. If DHL terminates the CMI agreement due to an ABX
event of default, ABX would be subject to a monetary penalty payable to DHL. The monetary penalty starts at $12
million through the first contract year, and amortizes to $3 million during the next two contract years of the restated
CMI agreement.
Under provisions of the restated CMI and lease agreements with DHL, DHL can terminate the restated CMI or lease
agreements subject to early termination provisions.
DHL may terminate one or more of the aircraft from the restated CMI agreement for convenience at any time
during the four year term (through March 31, 2019), subject to providing a 60 day notice period and paying to ABX a
termination fee for certain aircraft. DHL may terminate the restated CMI agreement in its entirety after providing 180
11
days of advance notice after the first six months of the term and paying a significant termination fee which amortizes
down during the term.
The lease agreements with DHL contain terms for terminating an aircraft lease for convenience, including a notice
period and paying a lump sum amount to CAM. DHL may terminate one or more of the respective 13 aircraft leases
for convenience through the original expiration date, upon providing six months' notice and paying to CAM a lump
sum amount and, further, may thereafter terminate one or more of such aircraft leases for convenience upon providing
four months’ notice and paying to CAM a lump sum amount. Additional Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL is committed
to lease from CAM may be terminated upon providing four months' notice and paying to CAM a lump sum amount.
The U.S. Military may not renew our contracts or may reduce the number of routes that we operate.
Our contracts with the U.S. Military are typically for one year and are not required to be renewed. The U.S. Military
may terminate the contracts for convenience or in the event we were to fail to satisfy reliability requirements or for
other reasons. The number and frequency of routes is sensitive to changes in military priorities and U.S. defense
budgets.
Our business could be negatively impacted by adverse audit findings by the U.S. Government.
Our U.S. Military contracts are subject to audit by government agencies, including with respect to performance,
costs, internal controls and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If an audit uncovers improprieties, we
may be subject to civil or criminal penalties, including termination of such contracts, forfeiture of profits, fines and
suspension from doing business with the U.S. Military.
Our USPS operations may be negatively impacted by U.S. Government regulations and contract expirations.
The contracts for the five facilities we operate for the USPS have been extended from their original expiration
dates in 2014 and are currently scheduled to expire during 2015. We understand that the USPS is evaluating contract
renewals and internal alternatives for these five facilities. The contracts for some or all of these facilities may not be
renewed.
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, some of the Company's employees that perform services in support of the
USPS operations may qualify for additional employee benefits which could increase our costs. In such event, the
Company may seek contractual amendments with the USPS for additional compensation. However such compensation
may not occur, could be delayed or may not be sufficient to cover our incremental costs.
Proposed rules from the DOT, FAA and TSA could increase the Company's operating costs and reduce customer
utilization of airfreight.
New FAA rules for Flightcrew Member Duty and Rest Requirements (FMDRR) for passenger airline operations
became effective in January 2014. The new rules apply to our operation of combi aircraft for the U.S military and
impact the required amount and timing of rest periods for pilots between work assignments and modified duty and rest
requirements based on the time of day, number of scheduled segments, flight types, time zones and other factors. Failure
to remain in compliance with these rules may subject us to fines or other enforcement action.
If applied to cargo carriers, the new rules would require a pilot to have the opportunity to rest for nine hours before
reporting to flight duty and place other restrictions on the number of duty hours in particular time periods. In May
2012, the FAA indicated that it would reconsider its initial decision to exclude cargo pilots from these new requirements.
While not currently required for the Company's cargo operations, if such rest requirements and restrictions were imposed
on our cargo operations, these rules could have a significant impact on the costs incurred by our airlines. The airlines
would attempt to pass such additional costs through to their customers in the form of price increases. Customers, as a
result, may seek to reduce their utilization of aircraft in favor of less expensive transportation alternatives.
The concentration of aircraft types and engines in the Company's airlines could adversely affect our operating and
financial results.
The combined aircraft fleet is concentrated in two aircraft types. If any of these aircraft types encounter technical
difficulties that resulted in significant FAA airworthiness directives or grounding, our ability to lease the aircraft would
be adversely impacted, as would our airlines' operations. The market growth in demand for the Boeing 767 and 757
aircraft types and configurations may be less than we anticipate. Customers may develop preferences for the Airbus
A300-600 and A330 aircraft or other mid-size aircraft types, instead of the Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft.
12
The cost of aircraft repairs and unexpected delays in the time required to complete aircraft maintenance could negatively
affect our operating results.
Our aircraft provide ACMI services throughout the world, sometimes operating in remote regions. Our aircraft
may experience maintenance events in locations that do not have the necessary repair capabilities or are difficult to
reach. As a result, we may incur additional expenses and lose billable revenues that we would have otherwise earned.
Under the restated CMI agreement with DHL, we are required to provide a spare aircraft while the scheduled maintenance
is completed. We are likewise required to provide a spare aircraft under the restated CMI agreement while the Boeing
767 aircraft that DHL leases from CAM are undergoing scheduled maintenance. If delays occur in the completion of
aircraft maintenance, we may incur additional expense to provide airlift capacity and forego revenues.
We rely on third parties to modify aircraft and provide aircraft and engine maintenance.
We rely on certain third party aircraft modification service providers and aircraft and engine maintenance service
providers that have expertise or resources that we do not have. Third party service providers may seek to impose price
increases that could negatively affect our competitiveness in the airline markets. An unexpected termination or delay
involving service providers could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results. A delay in an
aircraft modification could adversely impact our revenues and our ability to place the aircraft in the market. We must
manage third party service providers to meet schedules and turn-times and to control costs in order to remain competitive
to our customers.
Delta TechOps, a division of Delta Airlines, Inc., is the primary engine maintenance provider for the Company's
General Electric CF6 engines that power our fleet of Boeing 767-200 aircraft. If Delta TechOps does not complete the
refurbishment of our engines within the contractual turn-times or if we must replace Delta TechOps as the maintenance
provider for some or all of the Company's CF6 engines, our operations and financial results may be adversely impacted.
The Company's operating results could be negatively impacted by disruptions of its information technology and
communication systems.
Our businesses depend heavily on information technology and computerized systems to communicate and operate
effectively. The Company's systems and technologies, or those of third parties on which we rely, could fail or become
unreliable due
to equipment failures, software viruses, cyberattacks, natural disasters, power failures,
telecommunication outages, or other causes. Certain disruptions could prevent our airlines from flying as scheduled,
possibly for an extended period of time, which could have a negative impact on our operating results and reliability.
We continually monitor the risks of disruption, take preventative measures, develop backup plans and maintain
redundancy capabilities. The measures we use may not prevent the causes of disruptions we could experience or help
us recover failed systems quickly.
The costs of maintaining preventive maintenance measures may continue to rise. Further, the costs of recovering
or replacing a failed system could be very expensive.
The costs of our aircraft maintenance facilities could negatively impact our financial results.
We lease and operate a 310,000 square foot aircraft maintenance facility and a 100,000 square foot component repair
shop in Wilmington, Ohio. Accordingly, a large portion of our MRO's operating costs are fixed. As a result, we need
to retain existing aircraft maintenance business levels while securing additional customers to maintain a profitable
operation. The actual level of revenues may not be sufficient to cover our operating costs.
The Company could violate debt covenants.
The Senior Credit Agreement contains covenants including, among other requirements, limitations on certain
additional indebtedness and guarantees of indebtedness. The Senior Credit Agreement is collateralized by certain of
the Company's Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft that are not collateralized under aircraft loans. Under the terms of the
Senior Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain aircraft collateral coverage equal to 150% of the
outstanding balance of the term loan and the maximum capacity of the revolving credit facility or 175% of the outstanding
balance of the term loan and the total funded revolving credit facility, whichever is less. The Senior Credit Agreement
stipulates events of default, including unspecified events that may have material adverse effects on the Company. The
Senior Credit Agreement and aircraft loans cross default. If an event of default occurs, the Company may be forced
to repay, renegotiate or replace the Senior Credit Agreement and loans. In such an event, the Company’s cost of
borrowings could increase, and our ability to modify and deploy aircraft could be limited as a result.
13
The Company's share buy-back plan may reduce liquidity.
During 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase plan to buy up to $50 million of
ATSG 's common stock. While no shares were purchased during 2014, future purchases, if any, would be funded from
the Company's cash balances and could reduce the Company's liquidity.
The Company's existing sources of liquidity may not be sufficient if opportunities to expand the aircraft fleet or make
strategic investment in other companies arise.
While we have planned for minimal aircraft acquisitions for 2015, opportunities to grow revenues could arise that
require more aircraft, an aircraft type that we do not currently have, or other strategic investments. As of December
31, 2014, the Company's liquidity included $30.6 million of cash balances and $86.0 million available under the
revolving credit facility through the Senior Credit Agreement and with the creditors consent, $50 million through an
accordion feature of the Senior Credit Agreement. The existing sources of liquidity may not be sufficient to support
further fleet expansion or other strategic investments. Raising additional sources of credit could result in an increase
in our borrowing costs and additional covenant requirements.
Operating results may be affected by fluctuations in interest rates.
Effective March 31, 2011, in conjunction with our decision to refinance the unsubordinated term loan, we ceased
hedge accounting for certain interest rate swaps which we continue to hold. In addition to these interest rate swaps,
the Company's Senior Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain derivative instruments for fluctuating interest
rates for at least 50% of the outstanding balance of the new unsubordinated term loan. Accordingly, in July 2011, the
Company entered into new derivative instruments. Also, in June 2013, the Company entered into an interest rate swap
with a forward start date of December 31, 2013. We did not designate the derivative instruments as hedges. Future
fluctuations in LIBOR interest rates will result in the recording of gains and losses on interest rate derivatives that the
Company holds.
Under the Senior Credit Agreement, interest rates are adjusted quarterly based on the prevailing LIBOR or prime
rates and a ratio of the Company's outstanding debt level to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
expenses ("EBITDA"). At the Company's current debt-to-EBITDA ratio, the unsubordinated term loan and the revolving
credit facility both bear a variable interest rate of 2.17%. Additional debt or lower EBITDA may result in higher interest
rates on the variable rate portion of the Company's debt.
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans for certain eligible
employees. The Company's related pension expense and funding requirements are sensitive to changes in interest rates
used to discount the estimated future benefit payments that have been earned by participants in the plans. The annual
pension expense is recalculated at the beginning of each calendar year using market interest rates at that point in time.
Future fluctuations in interest rates could result in the recording of additional expense for pension and other post-
retirement healthcare plans.
The costs of insurance coverage or changes to our reserves for self-insured claims could affect our operating results
and cash flows.
The Company is self-insured for certain claims related to workers’ compensation, aircraft, automobile, general
liability and employee healthcare. We record a liability for reported claims and an estimate for incurred claims that
have not yet been reported. Accruals for these claims are estimated utilizing historical paid claims data and recent
claims trends. Changes in claim severity and frequency could impact our results of operations and cash flows.
The ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes
may be further limited.
Limitations imposed on the ability to use net operating losses (“NOLs”) to offset future taxable income could cause
U.S. federal income taxes to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect and
could cause such NOLs to expire unused, in each case reducing or eliminating the benefit of such NOLs. Similar rules
and limitations may apply for state income tax purposes.
Changes in the ownership of the Company on the part of significant shareholders could limit our ability to use
NOLs to offset future taxable income. In general, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its
14
pre-change NOLs to offset future taxable income. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock
ownership of significant stockholders increases by more than 50 percentage points over such stockholders’ lowest
percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years).
We may need to reduce the carrying value of the Company’s assets.
The Company owns a significant amount of aircraft, aircraft parts and related equipment. Additionally, the balance
sheet reflects assets for income tax carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. The removal of aircraft from service
or continual losses from aircraft operations could require us to evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of those
aircraft, related parts and equipment and record an impairment charge through earnings to reduce the carrying value.
We have recorded goodwill and other intangible assets related to acquisitions. If we are unable to achieve the
projected levels of operating results, it may be necessary to record an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value
of goodwill and related intangible assets. Similarly, if we were to lose a key customer or one of our airlines were to
lose its authority to operate, it could be necessary to record an impairment charge.
If the Company incurs operating losses or our estimates of expected future earnings indicate a decline, it may be
necessary to reassess the need for a valuation allowance for some or all of the Company’s net deferred tax assets.
Penalties, fines and sanctions levied by governmental agencies or the costs of complying with government regulations
could negatively affect our results of operations.
The operations of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to complex aviation, transportation, security,
environmental, labor, employment and other laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally require our
subsidiaries to maintain and comply with a wide variety of certificates, permits, licenses and other approvals. Their
inability to maintain required certificates, permits or licenses, or to comply with applicable laws, ordinances or
regulations could result in substantial fines or, in the case of DOT and FAA requirements, possible suspension or
revocation of their authority to conduct operations.
The costs of maintaining our aircraft in compliance with government regulations could negatively affect our results of
operations and require further investment in our aircraft fleet.
All aircraft in the Company’s fleet were manufactured prior to 1995. Manufacturer Service Bulletins and FAA
regulations and FAA airworthiness directives issued under its “Aging Aircraft” program cause operators of such aged
aircraft to be subject to additional inspections and modifications to address problems of corrosion and structural fatigue
at specified times. The FAA may issue airworthiness directives that could require significant inspections and major
modifications to such aircraft. The FAA may issue airworthiness directives that could limit the usability of certain
aircraft types. In 2012, the FAA issued an airworthiness directive that requires the replacement of the aft pressure
bulkhead on Boeing 767-200 aircraft based on a certain number of landing cycles. As a result, we expect that 24 of
the Company's Boeing 767-200 aircraft will be affected. The cost of compliance is estimated to be $1.0 million per
aircraft over the next ten years.
In addition, FAA regulations require that aircraft manufacturers establish limits on aircraft flight cycles to address
issues involving aging, but still economically viable, aircraft, as described in Item 1 of this report, under "Federal
Aviation Administration." These regulations may increase our maintenance costs and eventually limit the use of our
aircraft.
The FAA and ICAO are in the process of developing programs to modernize air traffic control and management
systems. The FAA's program, Next Generation Air Transportation Systems, is an integrated system that requires
updating aircraft navigation and communication equipment. The FAA has mandated the replacement of current ground
based radar systems with more accurate satellite based systems on our aircraft by 2020. The ICAO is phasing in similar
requirements for aircraft operating in Europe, beginning in 2015. These programs may increase our costs and limit the
use of our aircraft. Aircraft not equipped with advanced communication systems may be restricted to certain airspace.
Failure to maintain the operating certificates and authorities of our airlines would adversely affect our business.
The airline subsidiaries have the necessary authority to conduct flight operations pursuant to the economic authority
issued by the DOT and the safety based authority issued by the FAA. The continued effectiveness of such authority is
subject to their compliance with applicable statutes and DOT, FAA and TSA rules and regulations, including any new
rules and regulations that may be adopted in the future. The loss of such authority by an airline subsidiary could cause
15
a default of covenants within the Senior Credit Agreement and would materially and adversely affect its airline
operations, effectively eliminating the airline's ability to operate air services.
The Company may be affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory or market responses to such potential
climate change.
The Company is subject to the regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state and local
governments regarding air quality and other matters. In part, because of the highly industrialized nature of many of the
locations where the Company operates, there can be no assurance that we have discovered all environmental
contamination or other matters for which the Company may be responsible.
Concern over climate change, including the impact of global warming, has led to significant federal, state and
international legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The European Commission has
mandated the extension of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme ("ETS") for greenhouse gas emissions to
the airline industry. Under the European Union ETS, all ABX and ATI flights that are wholly within the European
Union are now covered by the ETS requirements, and each year we are required to submit emission allowances in an
amount equal to the carbon dioxide emissions from such flights. Exceedance of the airlines' emission allowances would
require the airlines to purchase additional emission allowances on the open market. The International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) is also expected to consider mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to aviation.
The U.S. Congress and certain states have also considered legislation regulating greenhouse gas emissions. In
addition, even in the absence of such legislation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could regulate greenhouse
gas emissions, especially aircraft engine emissions. The cost to comply with potential new laws and regulations could
be substantial for the Company. These costs could include an increase in the cost of the fuel and capital costs associated
with updating aircraft. Until the timing, scope and extent of any future regulation becomes known, we cannot predict
its effect on the Company’s cost structure or operating results. Further, even without such legislation or regulation,
increased awareness and adverse publicity in the global marketplace about greenhouse gas emitted by companies in
the airline and transportation industries could harm our reputation and reduce demand for our services.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company leases portions of the air park in Wilmington, Ohio, under leases agreement with a regional port
authority, the terms of which expire in May of 2019 and June 2036 with options to extend. The leases include corporate
offices, 310,000 square feet of maintenance hangars and a 100,000 square foot component repair shop at the air park.
ABX also has the non-exclusive right to use the airport, which includes one active runway, taxi ways and ramp space.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company and its subsidiaries' in-service aircraft fleet consisted of 53 owned aircraft
and three leased aircraft on an operating basis, for a total of 56 aircraft. The aircraft were all formerly passenger aircraft
that have been modified for cargo operations. The aircraft are generally described as being mid-size or having medium
wide-body cargo capabilities. The cargo aircraft carry gross payloads ranging from approximately 58,000 to 129,000
pounds. These aircraft are well suited for intra-continental flights and medium range inter-continental flights. Because
an airline's flight operations can be hindered by inclement weather, sophisticated landing systems and other equipment
are utilized to minimize the effect that weather may have on flight operations. For example, ABX’s Boeing 767-200
and 767-300 aircraft are operated for Category III landings. This allows their crews to land under weather conditions
with forward runway visibility of only 600 feet at airports with Category III Instrument Landing Systems.
16
Table of Contents
The table below shows the combined fleet of aircraft in service condition.
In-service Aircraft as of
December 31, 2014
Aircraft Type
Total Owned
Operating
Lease
Year of
Manufacture
Gross Payload
(Lbs.)
Still Air Range
(Nautical Miles)
767-200 SF (1)
767-300 SF (1)
757-200 PCF (1)
757-200 Combi (2)
Total in-service
38
10
4
4
56
36
9
4
4
53
2
1
—
—
3
1982 - 1987
85,000 - 100,000
1,700 - 5,300
1988 - 1991
121,000 - 129,000
3,200 - 7,100
1984 - 1991
1989 - 1992
68,000
58,000
2,100 - 4,800
2,600 - 4,300
____________________
(1)
(2)
These aircraft are configured for standard cargo containers, including large standard main deck cargo doors.
These aircraft are configured as “combi” aircraft capable of carrying passenger and cargo containers on the
main flight deck.
In addition, as of December 31, 2014, CAM has one Boeing 767-200 passenger aircraft, not reflected in the table
above, under lease to an external airline during 2014.
We believe that our existing facilities and aircraft fleet are appropriate for our current operations and growth plans.
We may make additional investments in aircraft and facilities if we identify favorable opportunities in the markets that
we serve.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Brussels Noise Ordinance
The Brussels Instituut voor Milieubeheer ("BIM"), a governmental authority in the Brussels-Capital Region of
Belgium that oversees the enforcement of environmental matters, imposed four separate administrative penalties on
ABX in the approximate aggregate amount of €0.4 million ($0.4 million) for numerous alleged violations of an ordinance
limiting the noise caused by aircraft overflying the Brussels-Capital Region (which is located near the Brussels Airport)
during the period from May 2009 through December 2010. ABX has exhausted its appeals with respect to all four of
the administrative penalties.
The ordinance in question is controversial for the reason that it was adopted by the Brussels-Capital Region and
is more restrictive than the noise limitations in effect in the Flemish Region, which is where the Brussels Airport is
located. Numerous airlines have been levied fines under the ordinance, which is currently the subject of several court
cases pending before the Belgian courts, including with respect to demands for payment. The Brussels government
has suspended issuing demands for payment of the penalties pending the outcome of the litigation. ABX has yet to
receive a demand for payment of the penalties.
Other
In addition to the foregoing matters, we are also currently a party to legal proceedings, including FAA enforcement
actions, in various federal and state jurisdictions arising out of the operation of the Company's business. The amount
of alleged liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty; however, we believe that the
Company's ultimate liability, if any, arising from the pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims
and known potential legal claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals for estimated
liabilities, should not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable
17
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Common Stock
ATSG's common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ATSG. The
following table shows the range of high and low prices per share of ATSG common stock for the periods indicated:
2014 Quarter Ended:
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
June 30, 2014
March 31, 2014
2013 Quarter Ended:
December 31, 2013
September 30, 2013
June 30, 2013
March 31, 2013
Low
High
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
6.93
7.27
7.38
5.81
6.64
5.95
5.23
4.08
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Low
8.90
9.21
9.57
8.12
8.20
7.70
6.85
6.09
High
On March 6, 2015, there were 1,629 stockholders of record of the ATSG’s common stock. The closing price of the
ATSG’s common stock was $9.33 on March 6, 2015.
18
Performance Graph
The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on a $100 investment in the ATSG’s common
stock with the cumulative total return of a $100 investment in the NASDAQ Composite Index and the cumulative total
return of a $100 investment in the NASDAQ Transportation Index for the period beginning on December 31, 2009 and
ending on December 31, 2014.
12/31/2009
12/31/2010
12/31/2011
12/31/2012
12/31/2013
12/31/2014
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
NASDAQ Composite Index
NASDAQ Transportation Index
100.00
100.00
100.00
299.24
117.61
128.91
178.79
118.70
111.44
151.89
139.00
122.10
306.44
196.83
161.38
324.24
223.74
229.56
19
Dividends
We are restricted from paying dividends on ATSG's common stock in excess of $50.0 million during any calendar
year under the provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement. Under the provisions of ABX's promissory note due to DHL,
the Company is required to prepay the DHL note in the amount of $0.20 for each dollar of dividend distributed to the
stockholders of ATSG. The same prepayment stipulation applies to stock repurchases. No cash dividends have been
paid or declared. The promissory note due to DHL is expected to fully amortize by March 31, 2015, and as such, the
prepayment requirement will not apply thereafter.
Stock Repurchases
On August 5, 2014, we announced that the Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $50 million dollars
of ATSG's common shares. No stock repurchases have occurred to date. The Board authorization does not require the
repurchase of a specific number of shares and the Board may terminate the repurchase program at any time. Repurchases
may be made from time-to-time on the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, price and
volume of any such repurchases will be based on market conditions, relevant securities laws and other factors.
Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans
For the response to this Item, see Item 12.
20
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto and the information contained in Item 7 of Part II, “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The selected consolidated financial data and the
consolidated operations data below are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.
OPERATING RESULTS:
Continuing revenues
Operating expenses (1) (3)
Net interest expense and other non operating charges (2)
Earnings from continuing operations before income
taxes
Income tax expense
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of
taxes (3)
Net earnings (loss)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE FROM
CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
Basic
Diluted
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
Basic
Diluted
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents
Deferred income tax asset
Property and equipment, net (1)
Goodwill and intangible assets (1)
Total assets
Post-retirement liabilities (3)
Capital lease obligations
Long term debt and current maturities, other than leases
Deferred income tax liability
Stockholders’ equity
____________________
(1)
2014
As of and for the Years Ended December 31
2012
(In thousands, except per share data)
2011
2013
2010
$ 589,592
525,067
12,749
51,776
$ 580,023
566,838
13,544
(359)
$ 607,438
528,750
12,368
66,320
$ 730,133
667,504
21,769
40,860
$ 667,382
585,706
18,359
63,317
(19,702)
32,074
(2,214)
(19,266)
(19,625)
(3)
(24,672)
41,648
(774)
(16,995)
23,865
(673)
(23,413)
39,904
(70)
$
29,860
$ (19,628) $
40,874
$
23,192
$
39,834
$
$
0.50
0.49
$
$
(0.31) $
(0.31) $
0.66
0.65
$
$
0.38
0.37
$
$
0.64
0.62
64,253
65,211
63,992
63,992
63,461
64,420
63,284
64,085
62,807
64,009
$
30,560
19,770
847,268
39,010
1,031,629
94,368
—
344,094
102,993
347,489
$
31,699
13,957
838,172
39,291
1,033,139
32,865
—
384,515
109,869
368,968
$
15,442
19,154
818,924
92,126
1,035,611
187,533
—
364,481
46,422
299,256
$
30,503
31,548
748,913
93,376
993,719
188,110
—
346,904
42,530
270,147
$
46,543
12,879
658,756
99,036
900,654
119,746
6,103
296,425
39,746
302,077
(2)
(3)
In 2011, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $22.1 million on aircraft, $2.8 million on goodwill and $2.3
million on acquired intangibles. In 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $52.6 million on goodwill.
During 2011, in conjunction with the execution of the Senior Credit Agreement (see Note F to the accompanying
consolidated financial statements) the Company terminated its previous credit agreement, which resulted in the write-off
of $2.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with that credit agreement and recognized $3.9 million of
losses for certain interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges of interest payments stemming from the
former term loan.
During 2014, ABX offered vested, former employee participants of the qualified pension plan and vested employee
participants of the crewmembers qualified pension plan a one-time option to settle their pension benefit with the Company
through a single payment or a nonparticipating annuity contract. As a result, ABX settled $98.7 million of pension
obligation in December of 2014 from the pension plans assets. The settlement resulted in pre-tax charges of $6.7 million
to continued operations and $5.0 million to discontinued operations for 2014. As a result of fluctuating interest rates and
investment returns, the funded status of the Company's defined benefit pension and retiree medical plans vary from year
to year. (See notes H and K to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
21
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis has been prepared with reference to the historical financial
condition and results of operations of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries and should be read in
conjunction with the “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report, our historical financial statements, and the related notes
contained in this report.
INTRODUCTION
The Company leases aircraft, provides air cargo lift and performs aircraft maintenance and other support services
primarily to the air cargo transportation and package delivery industries. Through the Company's subsidiaries, we offer
a range of complementary services to delivery companies, freight forwarders, airlines and government customers. The
Company's principal subsidiaries include two independently certificated airlines, ABX Air, Inc. (“ABX”) and Air
Transport International, Inc. (“ATI”), and an aircraft leasing company, Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc. (“CAM”).
The Company has two reportable segments: ACMI Services, which primarily includes the cargo transportation
operations of its airlines, and the CAM segment. The Company's other business operations, which primarily provide
support services to the transportation industry, include aircraft maintenance, aircraft parts sales, ground equipment
leasing and mail handling services. These operations do not constitute reportable segments due to their size.
At December 31, 2014, the Company owned 53 cargo aircraft and leased three more under operating leases that
were either in or available for revenue service. The combined fleets consisted of 38 Boeing 767-200 aircraft, 10 Boeing
767-300 aircraft, four Boeing 757-200 aircraft and four Boeing 757 "combi" aircraft. In recent years, we have
modernized the Company's aircraft fleet, retiring less efficient Boeing 727 and DC-8 aircraft and adding Boeing 767-200,
Boeing 767-300 and Boeing 757 freighter and combi aircraft to the fleet. The Boeing 757 combi aircraft are capable
of simultaneously carrying passengers and cargo containers on the main flight deck.
The Company's largest customer is DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and its affiliates ("DHL"), which
accounted for 55%, 54% and 53% of the Company's consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2014,
2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company has had long term contracts with DHL since August 2003. Commencing
March 31, 2010, the Company and DHL executed commercial agreements under which DHL leases 13 Boeing 767-200
freighter aircraft from CAM and ABX operates those aircraft under a separate crew, maintenance and insurance (“CMI”)
agreement. The CMI agreement pricing is based on pre-defined fees, scaled for the number of aircraft operated and
the number of flight crews provided to DHL for its U.S. network. The initial term of the CMI agreement is five years,
ending March 31, 2015 and the terms of the aircraft leases are seven years, with early termination provisions. In addition
to the 13 CAM-owned Boeing 767 aircraft, ABX also operates two DHL-owned Boeing 767 aircraft under the CMI
agreement. ATI provides four Boeing 757 freighter aircraft to DHL's U.S. network. Additionally ABX provides seven
other Boeing 767 aircraft primarily to DHL's U.S network under contracts and arrangements having durations of one
year or less. During 2013, ATI provided three Boeing 767 aircraft to DHL's Middle East operations, however, these
agreements were terminated during the first quarter of 2014.
In January 2015, the Company and DHL entered into an amended and restated CMI agreement ("restated CMI
agreement") pursuant to which ABX will continue to operate Boeing 767 aircraft for DHL, and that adds at least two
Boeing 767 aircraft leases and extends the existing 13 long term aircraft leases through March of 2019. As a result,
effective April 1, 2015, CAM will lease to DHL two Boeing 767 aircraft that presently support DHL under short-term
arrangements, the existing monthly aircraft lease rates for the Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft will decline
approximately 5% and all Boeing 767 aircraft lease terms with DHL will extend through March 2019. Further, ABX
will continue to operate and maintain the aircraft through March 2019 under the restated CMI agreement. Under the
new pricing structure of the restated CMI agreement, ABX will assume responsibility for the costs of complying with
FAA airworthiness directives, the costs of Boeing 767 airframe maintenance and certain engine maintenance events
for the DHL leased aircraft that it operates. While the Company's operating results will be negatively impacted by
provisions of the restated CMI agreement, we project that the reduced earnings from the CMI operations for DHL will
be offset through additional aircraft lease revenues, international ACMI opportunities, cost controls and aircraft
maintenance growth.
The U.S. Military comprised 16%, 17% and 16% of the Company's consolidated revenues during the years ended
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company's airlines contract their services to the Air Mobility
22
Command ("AMC"), through the U.S. Transportation Command ("USTC"), both of which are organized under the U.S.
Military. During 2013, ATI retired its four DC-8 combi aircraft and replaced them with three Boeing 757 combi aircraft
operating for the U.S. Military. Our fourth and final Boeing 757 combi aircraft entered service in the first quarter of
2014 after completing the necessary regulatory certification and serves as a maintenance spare.
At the end of 2012, we ceased Boeing 727 operations at the Company's former airline, Capital Cargo International
Airlines, Inc. ("CCIA"), and DC-8 freighter operations at ATI. During the first quarter of 2013, we merged CCIA with
and into ATI, with ATI as the surviving entity. The combined operation benefits from a standardized fleet, two person
flight crew, improved reliability of the Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft and from a common pilot type rating. Additionally,
we have reduced administrative and overhead costs as a result of combining positions, information technology and
facilities.
In January 2014, we acquired a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic AB of Gothenburg, Sweden ("West")
for $15 million. West, through its two airlines, Atlantic Airlines Ltd. and West Air Sweden AB, operates a fleet of
approximately 40 aircraft and is Europe’s largest regional cargo aircraft operator. West operates its aircraft on behalf
of European regional mail carriers and express logistics providers. The airlines operate a combined fleet of British
Aerospace ATPs, Bombardier CRJ-200-PFs, and Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition, West Air Sweden AB is adding the
Boeing 767 aircraft to its operating capability.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2014 and 2013
Summary
The consolidated net earnings from continuing operations were $32.1 million for 2014 compared with a net loss
of $19.6 million for 2013. The pre-tax earnings from continuing operations were $51.8 million for 2014, including a
one-time charge of $6.7 million for pension obligation settlements. The pre-tax loss from continuing operations for
2013 was $0.4 million which included a goodwill impairment charge of $52.6 million that is not deductible for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, a non-GAAP measure (a definition
and reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax earnings follows), after removing the pension settlement charge and the
impairment charge, were $57.4 million for 2014 compared to $51.6 million for 2013. Adjusted pre-tax earnings from
continuing operations for 2014 increased compared to 2013 due to operating improvements primarily in the ACMI
Services segment. Improved earnings were driven by improved fleet utilization, including deployment of the more
fuel efficient Boeing 757 combi aircraft for the U.S. Military, reduced employee expenses and lower aircraft maintenance
expenses compared to 2013.
External customer revenues from continuing operations increased by $9.6 million to $589.6 million during 2014
compared to 2013. Excluding directly reimbursed revenues, customer revenues decreased 1%, or by $6.8 million during
2014 compared with 2013. Increased external customer revenues from CAM, aircraft maintenance and support services
were offset by lower revenues from airline services. Airline service revenues declined primarily due to the
discontinuation of ACMI service for DHL's Middle East operations in the first quarter of 2014.
The notification from DHL that it would cease using three ATI Boeing 767 aircraft for services in the Middle East
by the end of February 2014 and stagnant growth conditions, including projections published by the U.S. Military that
reflected continued reductions in their demand for cargo (non combi) airlift caused us to allocate fewer Boeing 767
aircraft to ATI. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $52.6 million at the end of 2013 to write-off ATI's
goodwill. Subsequently, during 2014, we deployed more Boeing 767 aircraft with external airlines.
During 2014, we offered vested, former employee participants of the qualified pension plan and vested employee
participants of the crewmembers qualified pension plan a one-time option to settle their pension benefit with the
Company through a single payment or a nonparticipating annuity contract. As a result, ABX settled $98.7 million of
pension obligations in December of 2014 funded by pension plan assets. The settlement resulted in a pre-tax charge of
$6.7 million to continued operations.
23
A summary of our revenues and pre-tax earnings from continuing operations is shown below (in thousands):
Revenues from Continuing Operations:
CAM
ACMI Services
Airline services
Reimbursable
Total ACMI Services
Other Activities
Total Revenues
Eliminate internal revenues
Customer Revenues
Pre-Tax Earnings from Continuing Operations:
CAM, inclusive of interest expense
ACMI Services
Airline services
Pension settlement charge
Asset impairment charges
Total ACMI Services
Other Activities
Net unallocated interest expense
Net gain on derivative instruments
Pre-Tax Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Add Pension settlement charge
Add Asset impairment charges
Less Net gain on derivative instruments
Adjusted Pre-Tax Earnings
Years Ending December 31
2013
2012
2014
$
166,303
$
160,342
$
154,565
355,678
84,241
439,919
142,294
748,516
376,592
67,912
444,504
117,292
722,138
404,053
74,940
478,993
112,343
745,901
(158,924)
(142,115)
(138,463)
589,592
$
580,023
$
607,438
53,159
$
66,208
$
68,499
(5,381)
(6,700)
—
(12,081)
11,363
(1,761)
1,096
51,776
6,700
—
(1,096)
57,380
$
(25,601)
—
(52,585)
(78,186)
12,200
(1,212)
631
(359)
—
52,585
(631)
51,595
$
(14,503)
—
—
(14,503)
11,650
(1,205)
1,879
66,320
—
—
(1,879)
64,441
$
$
$
Reimbursable revenues include certain operating costs that are reimbursed to the airlines by their customers. Such
costs include fuel expense, landing fees and certain aircraft maintenance expenses. The types of costs that are reimbursed
varies by customer operating agreement. Reimbursed revenues increased during 2014 due to additional aircraft fuel
expenses for DHL's U.S. domestic network.
Adjusted pre-tax earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is pre-tax earnings excluding asset impairment charges, interest
rate derivative gains and losses and the pension settlement costs. Management uses adjusted pre-tax earnings to compare
the performance of core operating results between periods. Adjusted pre-tax earnings should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.
CAM
CAM offers aircraft leasing and related services to external customers and also leases aircraft internally to the
Company's airlines. Aircraft leases normally cover a term of five to seven years. In a typical leasing agreement,
customers pay rent and maintenance deposits on a monthly basis.
As of December 31, 2014, CAM had 53 freighter aircraft either under or available for lease, 28 of them leased
internally to the Company's airlines. CAM's revenues grew $6.0 million during 2014 compared to 2013, primarily as
a result of additional aircraft leases to external customers. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, CAM had 24 and 20
aircraft under lease to external customers, respectively. Revenues from external customers totaled $77.7 million and
$71.6 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively. CAM's revenues from the Company's airlines totaled $88.6 million
during 2014, compared to $88.7 million for 2013. CAM's 2014 revenues were temporarily reduced during the time
necessary to prepare and transfer four aircraft to external customers.
24
CAM's pre-tax earnings, inclusive of an interest expense allocation, were $53.2 million and $66.2 million during
2014 and 2013, respectively. Reduced earnings reflect additional external lease revenues offset by higher depreciation
expense for Boeing 767 and Boeing 757 aircraft and increased expenses to place and support the larger fleet of Boeing
767 and 757 aircraft. Since mid -2013, we have added nine Boeing aircraft to CAM's fleet through December 31, 2014.
During 2014, CAM's fourth and final Boeing 757 combi aircraft completed its airworthiness certification and began
operations for ATI. CAM completed the modification of a Boeing 767-300 in the first quarter of 2014. CAM purchased
two Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft in September of 2014 and leased the aircraft to ABX. As of December 31, 2014,
CAM had one Boeing 767-300 aircraft available for lease. The aircraft was subsequently placed with an external
customer in February 2015 under a multi-year lease.
ACMI Services Segment
The ACMI Services segment provides airline operations to its customers, typically under contracts providing for
a combination of aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance ("ACMI"). Our customers are usually responsible for
supplying the necessary aviation fuel and cargo handling services and reimbursing our airline for other operating
expenses such as landing fees, ramp expenses, certain aircraft maintenance expenses and fuel procured directly by the
airline. Aircraft charter agreements, including those for the U.S. Military, usually require the airline to provide full
service, including fuel and other operating expenses for a fixed, all-inclusive price. As of December 31, 2014, ACMI
Services included 44 in-service aircraft, including 28 leased internally from CAM, three leased from external providers
and 13 CAM-owned freighter aircraft which are under lease to DHL and operated by ABX under the CMI agreement.
Revenues from ACMI Services declined $4.6 million during 2014 compared with 2013 to $439.9 million. Airline
services revenues from external customers, which do not include revenues for the reimbursement of fuel and certain
operating expenses, declined $20.9 million. Lower revenues resulted primarily from operating fewer international
cargo lanes for our customers, including the DHL routes in the Middle East and the for the U.S. Military. Billable block
hours declined 7% for 2014 compared to 2013. Excluding billable block hours for DHL's Middle East operations which
ATI stopped servicing in February 2014, block hours grew 2% for 2014 compared to 2013. Block hours flown for the
U.S. Military were down 1% compared to 2013, due to fewer ad hoc and expansion flying opportunities.
ACMI Services incurred pre-tax losses of $12.1 million during 2014, compared to pre-tax losses of $78.2 million
for 2013. Excluding pension settlement charges of $6.7 million and asset impairment charges of $52.6 million recorded
during 2014 and 2013, respectively, ACMI Services incurred pre-tax losses of $5.4 million and $25.6 million in 2014
and 2013, respectively. Smaller pre-tax losses in 2014 compared to 2013 were primarily a result of improved fleet
utilization, lower aircraft maintenance expense and reduced airline personnel expenses. During 2014, ACMI Services
returned under-utilized aircraft to CAM, which subsequently leased those aircraft to external customers. Additionally
the number of scheduled airframe heavy checks that were expensed, declined by three during 2014 compared to 2013.
Beginning in May of 2014, DHL terminated the services of three of the Company's Boeing 767 aircraft which
ABX operated under short term contracts in lower volume U.S. markets and replaced them with smaller Boeing 737
aircraft operated by another airline. We do not expect DHL to replace more Boeing 767 aircraft operated by ABX with
additional Boeing 737 aircraft. ABX submitted bids to DHL to retain the operation of four Boeing 767-200 aircraft
that are owned by DHL and operated by ABX under the CMI agreement. However, in August 2014, ABX received
termination notices for these four aircraft and at the end of 2014, two of the DHL owned Boeing 767-200 aircraft were
returned to DHL. We expect the last two DHL-owned Boeing 767-200 aircraft to be returned to DHL by the end of
the first quarter of 2015.
We expect the recent operational improvements in ACMI Services to continue during 2015. However, due to
higher pension expense as actuarially determined, aircraft maintenance schedules and the new pricing structure under
the restated CMI, we expect this segment to generate a larger pre-tax loss for the full year in 2015. Under the new
pricing structure of the restated CMI agreement, ABX will assume responsibility, effective April 1, 2015, for the cost
of complying with FAA airworthiness directives, the cost of Boeing 767 airframe maintenance and certain engine
maintenance events for the aircraft leased to DHL that it operates. Achieving profitability in the ACMI Services segment
will depend on new revenue opportunities for airline services, the number of aircraft we operate, crewmember
productivity, the cost of employee benefits and other factors. Our airlines may return lower utilized aircraft to CAM
for lease to external customers after considering a number of factors including the duration of the customer commitment,
25
the underlying credit quality of the customer and market pricing for each opportunity. The ACMI Services segment
currently has one aircraft that is underutilized at this time.
Other Activities
The Company sells aircraft parts and provides aircraft maintenance and modification services primarily through
its aircraft maintenance and repair business, Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc. ("AMES"). The
Company also provides services to the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”), which mainly consists of sorting services at five
USPS facilities. The Company also leases and maintains ground support equipment and provides facility maintenance
services. Other activities also include the management of workers' compensation claims under an agreement with DHL
and gains from the reduction in employee post-retirement obligations.
External customer revenues from all other activities were $72.0 million and $63.9 million for 2014 and 2013,
respectively. Revenues from services provided to the USPS increased $3.9 million during 2014 primarily due to
increased volumes handled by the facilities that we operate for the USPS. In addition to the increased revenues from
the USPS, aircraft maintenance revenues from external customers increased by $3.2 million.
The pre-tax earnings from other activities were $11.4 million and $12.2 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The decrease of $0.8 million of pre-tax earnings for 2014 compared to 2013 primarily reflects additional personnel
costs to support increased business volumes processed for the USPS and the start up of expanded aircraft maintenance
operations which began in mid-2014.
In 2014, AMES expanded into a new 100,000 square foot aircraft hangar facility adjacent to the existing aircraft
maintenance facility in Wilmington, Ohio. During construction of the hangar, we were the construction agent for the
Clinton County Port Authority and were reimbursed for construction costs during 2014. We began to make lease
payments for the new hangar during 2014. Additionally, we have been incurring other incremental costs associated
with the new hangar, including the costs of aircraft maintenance personnel, as we seek to grow aircraft maintenance
revenues utilizing the expanded hangar capabilities. Our future operating results could be adversely impacted if
anticipated revenues do not coincide with our costs of operating the new facility.
The Company has been providing mail sorting services to the USPS since September 2004. The contracts for five
facilities we service have been extended from their original expiration dates in 2014 and are currently scheduled to
expire during 2015. We understand that the USPS is evaluating contract renewals and internal alternatives for these
five facilities. The contract for some or all of these facilities may not be renewed.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations relate to hub operations, package sorting and aircraft fuel services that ABX provided to
DHL under previous agreements through 2009. The financial results of discontinued operations primarily reflect
pension expense, workers' compensation cost adjustments and other benefits for former employees previously associated
with ABX's former hub operations, package sorting and aircraft fueling services provided to DHL. Pre-tax losses
related to the former sorting operations were $3.5 million for 2014 compared to pre-tax losses of less than $0.1 million
for 2013. During 2014, pension expense for discontinued operations increased approximately $3.6 million due primarily
to the effects of the pension settlement charge for former sorting operation employees.
26
Fleet Summary 2014
The Company’s cargo aircraft fleet is summarized below as of December 31, 2014 ($'s in thousands):
In-service aircraft
Aircraft owned
Boeing 767-200
Boeing 767-300
Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757-200 Combi
Total
Carrying value
Operating lease
Boeing 767-200
Boeing 767-300
Total
Other aircraft
Owned Boeing 767 available or staging for lease
ACMI
Services
CAM
Total
14
6
4
4
28
2
1
3
—
22
2
—
—
24
—
—
—
1
36
8
4
4
52
$ 734,465
2
1
3
1
As of December 31, 2014, ACMI Services leased 28 of its in-service aircraft internally from CAM. As of
December 31, 2014, 13 of CAM's 22 Boeing 767-200 aircraft were leased to DHL and operated by ABX. CAM leased
the other nine Boeing 767-200 and two Boeing 767-300 aircraft to external airlines.
Aircraft fleet activity during 2014 is summarized below:
- CAM completed the modification of one Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft and it was available for lease until
it was placed with an external customer in February, 2015 under a multi-year lease.
- CAM completed the modification of one Boeing 757 combi aircraft and leased the aircraft internally to ATI,
which deployed the aircraft for the U.S. Military.
- ABX returned two Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft and ATI returned one Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft
and two Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft to CAM. CAM leased two Boeing 767-200 aircraft and two Boeing
767-300 aircraft to external customers and leased a Boeing 767-200 to ABX for peak season flying.
- Near the end of September 2014, CAM purchased the two Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft that ABX was
leasing from an external lessor and began to lease them to ABX.
- During the fourth quarter of 2014, ABX began leasing one Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft from an external
lessor. (CAM purchased this aircraft in February 2015 and released it to ABX.)
- Two DHL owned Boeing 767-200 aircraft, previously leased by ABX for operation in DHL's network, were
returned to DHL.
- The table above does not reflect CAM's only Boeing 767-200 passenger aircraft. This aircraft was under lease
to an external airline at December 31, 2014.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had Boeing 727 and DC-8 airframes and engines with a carrying value of
$0.7 million that were available for sale. This carrying value is based on fair market values less the estimated costs to
sell the airframes, engines and parts.
27
Expenses from Continuing Operations
Salaries, wages and benefits expense decreased $8.9 million during 2014 compared to 2013 due to lower pension
expense and a reduced number of airline employees. Pension expense for continuing operations decreased $7.5 million
during 2014 due to strong investment returns on pension plan assets and the impact of a higher interest rate on pension
plan obligations at the beginning of 2014. The number of airline employees declined 18% during 2014 compared to
2013. Total headcount increased slightly during 2014 compared to 2013 as we added employees for facility and aircraft
maintenance operations, driven by additional revenue and expanded hangar capabilities.
Fuel expense increased by $4.1 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Fuel expense reflects the cost of fuel to
operate U.S. Military charters, reimbursable fuel billed to DHL and fuel used to position aircraft for service and for
maintenance purposes. The increase reflects a higher level of customer reimbursed fuel which increased $16.2 million
in 2014 compared 2013. The cost of fuel that is not reimbursed declined due to lower prices for aviation fuel and the
operation of more fuel efficient Boeing 757 combi aircraft which replaced the DC-8 aircraft previously operated for
the U.S Military. The average price per gallon of fuel decreased about 3.4% for 2014 compared to 2013.
Maintenance, materials and repairs expense decreased by $5.5 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Maintenance
expense decreased due to fewer block hours flown and fewer airframe heavy checks performed during 2014 compared
to 2013. Aircraft maintenance expenses can vary among periods due to the number of scheduled airframe maintenance
checks and the scope of the checks that are performed.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $16.5 million during 2014 compared to 2013. The increase in
depreciation expense reflects incremental depreciation expense for four Boeing 767 aircraft, one Boeing 757 freighter
aircraft and four Boeing 757 combi aircraft added to the in-service fleet since mid-2013, offset by the removal of the
DC-8 combi aircraft from service.
Travel expense decreased by $1.0 million during 2014 compared to 2013. The decrease reflects the lower level
of employee headcount in airline operations and less international travel needed to support fewer international flight
operations during 2014 compared to 2013.
Rent expense decreased by $0.8 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Rent expense decreased primarily due to
the purchase of two Boeing 767-300 aircraft in 2014 which were previously leased from an external provider.
Landing and ramp expense, which includes the cost of deicing chemicals, decreased by $0.9 million during 2014
compared to 2013. The decrease was due to the reduction in block hours and flights operated in 2014 compared to
2013.
Insurance expense decreased by $0.9 million during 2014 compared to 2013. While aircraft fleet insurance has
declined as the DC-8 aircraft were retired, the cost of employee insurance has risen compared to 2013.
Other operating expenses increased by $1.5 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Other operating expenses
include professional fees, navigational services, employee training, utilities, and the cost of parts sold to customers.
Operating expenses also includes net gains associated with the sale of spare aircraft engines. Other operating expenses
increased due to additional parts sold to aircraft maintenance customers and lower gains from the sale of spare equipment
during 2014.
Interest expense decreased by $0.3 million during 2014 compared to 2013. Interest expense decreased due to a
lower average debt level and interest rates on the Company's outstanding loans during 2014 compared to 2013. Lower
interest expenses were partially offset by less capitalized interest during 2014. Capitalized interest was $0.9 million
higher in 2013 while aircraft were undergoing the freighter modification process.
The Company recorded pre-tax net gains on derivatives of $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2014
compared to $0.6 million during 2013, reflecting the impact of fluctuating market interest rates.
Income tax expense from continuing operations increased $0.4 million for 2014 compared to 2013, due to higher
pre-tax earnings. The Company's effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 38.1% for the year ended
December 31, 2014. The effective tax rate from continuing operations was approximately 36.9% for the year ended
December 31, 2013 after adjusting for $52.6 million of non-deductible impairment charges. The increase in the effective
tax rate primarily reflects increased state income taxes as proportionally more earnings occurred in the U.S. during
2014 compared to 2013.
28
We estimate that the Company's effective tax rate for 2015 will be approximately 38.6%. As of December 31,
2014, the Company had operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $94.7
million, which will begin to expire in 2024 if not utilized before then. We expect to utilize the loss carryforwards to
offset federal income tax liabilities in the future. As a result, we do not expect to pay federal income taxes until 2017
or later. The Company may, however, be required to pay alternative minimum taxes and certain state and local income
taxes before then. The Company's taxable income earned from international flights are primarily sourced to the United
States under international aviation agreements and treaties. If we begin to operate in countries without such agreements,
the Company could incur additional foreign income taxes.
2013 compared to 2012
Summary
The consolidated net loss from continuing operations was $19.6 million for 2013 compared with net earnings of
$41.6 million for 2012. The pre-tax loss from continuing operations was $0.4 million for 2013 compared with pre-tax
earnings from continuing operations of $66.3 million for 2012. The decrease in earnings from continuing operations
in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of a goodwill impairment charge of $52.6 million
that is not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, a
non-GAAP measure (a definition and reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax earnings follows), after removing the impairment
charges were $51.6 million for 2013 compared to $64.4 million for 2012. Adjusted pre-tax earnings from continuing
operations for 2013 declined compared to 2012 due to lower revenues, primarily in the ACMI Services segment, as
well as higher depreciation expenses, due to additional aircraft in service condition.
Total customer revenues from continuing operations decreased by $27.4 million to $580.0 million during 2013
compared to 2012. Revenues were negatively impacted by FAA requirements which delayed the deployment of Boeing
757 aircraft and the training of the related flight crews, as well as continued softness in international cargo markets.
Excluding directly reimbursed revenues, customer revenues decreased 4%, or by $20.4 million during 2013 compared
with 2012. Total operating expenses, without impairment charges, declined as we restructured the ATI airline, falling
3% during 2013 compared with 2012.
CAM
As of December 31, 2013, CAM had 49 freighter aircraft in service condition, 29 of them leased internally to the
Company's airlines. CAM's revenues grew $5.8 million during 2013 compared to 2012, as a result of additional internal
aircraft leases. CAM's revenues from the Company's airlines totaled $88.7 million during 2013, compared to $80.0
million for 2012. Since the beginning of 2012, CAM has placed one Boeing 767-200 freighter aircraft, four Boeing
767-300 freighter aircraft, one Boeing 757-200 freighter aircraft and three Boeing 757 combi aircraft under leases with
internal airlines. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, CAM leased 20 aircraft to external customers. Revenues from
external customers decreased $3.0 million for 2013 compared to 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2012, a regional
carrier returned a Boeing 767-200 aircraft to CAM before the end of the original lease term. The aircraft was redeployed
internally within ACMI services.
CAM's pre-tax earnings, inclusive of an interest expense allocation were $66.2 million and $68.5 million during
2013 and 2012, respectively. Reduced earnings reflect additional internal lease revenues offset by higher depreciation
expense for Boeing 767 and Boeing 757 aircraft, increased expenses to place and support the larger fleet of Boeing
767 and 757 aircraft and higher allocated interest expense compared to 2012.
ACMI Services Segment
Revenues from ACMI Services were $444.5 million and $479.0 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively. ACMI
Services incurred pre-tax losses of $78.2 million during 2013, compared to pre-tax losses of $14.5 million for 2012.
Excluding asset impairment charges of $52.6 million recorded during 2013, ACMI Services incurred pre-tax losses of
$25.6 million in 2013. Larger pre-tax losses in 2013 compared to 2012 were primarily a result of lower revenues.
Revenues from ACMI Services declined $34.5 million during 2013 compared with 2012. Airline services revenues
from external customers, which do not include revenues for the reimbursement of fuel and certain operating expenses,
declined $26.2 million. Lower revenues resulted from operating fewer international cargo lanes for our customers,
including the U.S. Military, as well as fewer ad hoc charters. Since mid-2012, some of our aircraft were replaced by
29
our customer's own airlift capacity on certain international cargo lanes. Block hours flown for the U.S. Military were
down 4% compared to 2012, primarily due to the phase-in of the Boeing 757 combi aircraft, which replaced the DC-8
combi aircraft operated by ATI. Revenues for the U.S. Military were negatively impacted by delays in FAA approvals
for the Boeing 757 combi aircraft and the pilot training program. Before the Boeing 757 combi aircraft could begin
operations, the aircraft had to be certified by the FAA and our pilots trained to conduct Boeing 757 passenger operations.
Additionally, during the phase-in of the Boeing 757 aircraft, we experienced reduced availability of combi aircraft as
the DC-8 combi airframe maintenance requirements became due. In addition, expenses for non-reimbursed airframe
maintenance checks increased $3.6 million compared to 2012. The increase is primarily due to a larger required work
scope for the checks scheduled in 2013 compared to 2012.
Billable block hours declined 13% for 2013 compared to 2012. Revenues declined relatively less than block hours
because a larger portion of our 2013 revenues were derived from shorter express routes instead of longer international
routes flown during 2012. The effective average revenue rates per block hour paid by non-military customers are higher
for express routes in which aircraft utilization is lower, compared to lower rates per block hour for longer, international
routes.
Operating expense for ACMI Services declined $15.1 million during 2013 compared to 2012, excluding impairment
charges, in part as a result of combining the ATI and CCIA operations, which resulted in a 28% reduction in airline
related headcount compared to the beginning of 2012. Operating expenses for landings, ramp and travel declined due
to the lower level of international block hours flown. These expense reductions, which were related to personnel and
the level of flights, were partially offset by higher aircraft depreciation expense and aircraft rent expense, which increased
due to the addition of Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Fleet Summary 2013
The Company’s cargo aircraft fleet is summarized below as of December 31, 2013 ($'s in thousands):
In-service aircraft
Aircraft owned
Boeing 767-200
Boeing 767-300
Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757-200 Combi
Total
Carrying value
Operating lease
Boeing 767-200
Boeing 767-300
Total
Carrying value
Aircraft for freighter and combi modification
Boeing 767-300
Boeing 757-200 Combi
Total
Carrying value
ACMI
Services
CAM
Total
16
6
4
3
29
4
2
6
—
—
—
20
—
—
—
20
—
—
—
1
1
2
36
6
4
3
49
$ 714,835
4
2
6
$
1,275
1
1
2
$
58,533
As of December 31, 2013, ACMI Services leased 29 of its in-service aircraft internally from CAM. As of
December 31, 2013, 13 of CAM's 20 Boeing 767-200 aircraft shown above were leased to DHL and operated by ABX.
CAM leased the other seven Boeing 767-200 aircraft to external airlines.
30
Aircraft fleet activity during 2013 is summarized below:
- CAM completed the modification of one Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft and leased the aircraft internally to
ABX.
- CAM completed the modification of one Boeing 757 freighter aircraft and leased the aircraft internally to ATI.
- CAM purchased two Boeing 757 combi aircraft that had not been certified for airworthiness. CAM completed
the airworthiness requirements for three Boeing 757 combi aircraft and leased them internally to ATI, which
deployed the aircraft for the U.S. Military.
- We removed four DC-8 combi aircraft from the in-service fleet.
As of December 31, 2013, CAM also had a Boeing 767-200 passenger aircraft which was placed in temporary
storage when its airframe maintenance cycle expired. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had Boeing 727 and
DC-8 airframes and engines with a carrying value of $3.0 million that were available for sale. This carrying value was
based on fair market values less the estimated costs to sell the airframes, engines and parts.
Other Activities
External customer revenues from all other activities were $63.9 million and $55.1 million for 2013 and 2012,
respectively. Revenues from services provided to the USPS increased $6.4 million during 2013 primarily due to
increased volumes at the facilities that we operate for the USPS. In addition to the increased revenues from the USPS,
aircraft maintenance revenues from external customers increased by $1.5 million.
The pre-tax earnings from other activities were $12.2 million and $11.7 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The increase of $0.5 million of pre-tax earnings for 2013 compared to 2012 primarily reflects additional volumes
processed for the USPS during the year and additional aircraft maintenance revenues for external customers.
Discontinued Operations
Pre-tax losses related to the former sorting operations were less than $0.1 million for 2013 compared to $1.2 million
for 2012. During 2013, pension expense for discontinued operations decreased approximately $1.2 million due primarily
to the effects of recent investment returns used to actuarially calculate the Company's annual pension expense.
Expenses from Continuing Operations
Salaries, wages and benefits expense decreased $9.3 million during 2013 compared to 2012. The lower expenses
are the result of the lower number of employees after merging and restructuring ATI and CCIA. Headcount declined
10% between the beginning of 2012 and the end of 2013. Pension expense for continuing operations decreased $4.4
million during 2013 due to strong investment returns on pension plan assets.
Fuel expense decreased by $4.6 million during 2013 compared to 2012. Fuel expense primarily reflects the costs
of fuel to operate U.S. Military charters, position aircraft for service and for maintenance purposes. The decrease during
2013 compared to 2012 reflects a decline in the number of flights flown for the U.S. Military, fewer ad hoc charter
flights and the use of the more fuel efficient Boeing 757 combi aircraft instead of DC-8 combi aircraft.
Maintenance, materials and repairs expense decreased by $0.5 million during 2013 compared to 2012. The decline
in maintenance expense reflects fewer customer reimbursed airframe heavy maintenance events, offset by higher engine
maintenance expenses compared to the previous year. Engine maintenance expenses increased during 2013 due to
higher costs for engine parts and engine maintenance services.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $7.3 million during 2013 compared to 2012. The increase in
depreciation expense reflects the removal of the Boeing 727 aircraft and the DC-8 aircraft from service, offset by
incremental depreciation expense for one Boeing 767 aircraft, one Boeing 757 freighter aircraft and three Boeing 757
combi aircraft added to the in-service fleet since December 2012.
Travel expense decreased by $4.0 million during 2013 compared to 2012. The decrease reflects the lower level
of employee headcount and less international travel needed to support fewer international flight operations during 2013.
Rent expense increased by $1.5 million during 2013 compared to 2012. Rent expense increased primarily due to
the lease of an additional Boeing 767-300 aircraft beginning in May 2012.
31
Landing and ramp expense, which includes the cost of deicing chemicals, decreased by $4.8 million during 2013
compared to 2012. The decrease was due to the reduction in block hours and flights operated in 2013 compared to
2012.
Insurance expense decreased by $1.5 million during 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to the reduction in
Boeing 727 and DC-8 aircraft.
Other operating expenses increased by $1.3 million during 2013 compared to 2012. Other operating expenses
include professional fees, navigational services, employee training, utilities, the cost of parts sold to customers and the
net gains from the sales of spare aircraft engines. The increase was primarily due to lower gains from the sales of spare
equipment in 2013 compared to 2012.
Interest expense decreased by $0.1 million during 2013 compared to 2012. Lower interest expense on interest rate
swaps held by the Company was partially offset by higher interest expense on additional borrowings under the Senior
Credit Agreement and lower capitalized interest during 2013 compared to 2012.
The Company recorded pre-tax net gains on derivatives of $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2013
compared to pre-tax net gains on derivatives of $1.9 million during 2012, reflecting the impact of fluctuating market
interest rates.
Income tax expense from continuing operations decreased $5.4 million for 2013 compared to 2012, due to lower
pre-tax earnings. The Company's effective income tax rate from continuing operations was approximately 36.9% for
the year ended December 31, 2013 after adjusting for $52.6 million of non-deductible impairment charges. The effective
tax rate from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 was to 37.2%.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Net cash generated from operating activities totaled $148.8 million, $94.4 million and $110.6 million in 2014,
2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash flows generated from operating activities increased in 2014 compared to 2013
primarily due to additional payments received from DHL, decreased pension contributions and better operating
profitability. Cash flows generated from operating activities decreased in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to
lower receipts from DHL and lower operating profits in the ACMI Services segment. Cash outlays for pension
contributions were $6.1 million, $27.5 million and $24.7 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Capital spending levels were primarily the result of aircraft modification costs and the acquisition of aircraft for
freighter modification. Cash payments for capital expenditures were $112.2 million, $112.7 million and $155.2 million
in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2014 included $61.9 million for the acquisition of two
Boeing 767-300 aircraft and next generation navigation and communication modifications, $26.0 million for required
heavy maintenance, $7.3 million for construction of the new aircraft hangar and $17.0 million for other equipment,
including purchases of aircraft engines and rotables. Our capital expenditures in 2013 included $79.0 million for the
acquisition of two Boeing 757 combi aircraft and the costs of Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 aircraft modifications, $23.9
million for required heavy maintenance, $6.7 million for construction of the new aircraft hangar and $3.1 million for
other equipment costs. Our capital expenditures in 2012 included $134.9 million for the acquisition and modification
of aircraft, $11.3 million for required heavy maintenance and $9.0 million for other equipment costs. During 2014,
we made an investment in West Atlantic AB for $15 million.
Cash proceeds of $3.6 million, $1.5 million and $5.8 million were received in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively,
for the sale of aircraft engines, airframes and parts.
During 2014, net cash used for financing activities was $26.3 million, as we paid down debt obligations. Net cash
provided by financing activities was $26.2 million and $23.8 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our borrowing
activities were necessary to acquire and modify aircraft for deployment into air cargo markets and modernize the combi
fleet we operate for the U.S. Military. During 2014, we drew $45.0 million from the revolving credit facility under the
Senior Credit Agreement to fund capital spending and we made debt principal payments of $79.2 million. Additionally,
$6.2 million of the principal balance of the DHL promissory note was extinguished during 2014, pursuant to the CMI
agreement with DHL.
32
Commitments
The table below summarizes the Company's contractual obligations and commercial commitments (in thousands)
as of December 31, 2014.
Contractual Obligations
Long term debt, including interest payments
Facility leases
Other leases
Payments Due By Period
Total
Less Than
1 Year
2-3
Years
4-5
Years
After 5
Years
$ 376,696
$
34,322
$ 78,275
$ 262,549
$
1,550
33,445
1,411
4,723
894
8,627
434
6,315
83
13,780
—
Total contractual cash obligations
$ 411,552
$
39,939
$ 87,336
$ 268,947
$ 15,330
The long term debt bears interest at 2.55% to 7.36% per annum.
The Company provides defined benefit pension plans to certain employee groups. The table above does not include
cash contributions for pension funding, due to the absence of scheduled maturities. The timing of pension and post-
retirement healthcare payments cannot be reasonably determined, except for $7.3 million expected to be funded in
2015.
We estimate that capital expenditures for 2015 will total $80 million for an aircraft purchase, airframe and engine
maintenance and other expenditures. Actual capital spending for any future period will be impacted by aircraft
acquisitions, maintenance and modification processes. We expect to finance the capital expenditures from current cash
balances, future operating cash flow and the Senior Credit Agreement.
Liquidity
The Company has a Senior Credit Agreement with a consortium of banks that includes an unsubordinated term
loan of $116.3 million and a revolving credit facility from which the Company has drawn $180.0 million, net of
repayments as of December 31, 2014. On May 6, 2014, the Company executed the third amendment to the Senior
Credit Agreement (the "Third Credit Amendment"). The Third Credit Amendment extends the maturity of the term
loan and revolving credit facility to May 6, 2019, provides for annual, one year extension options, provides for an
accordion feature whereby the Company can draw up to an additional $50 million subject to the lenders' consent,
reduces the EBITDA based pricing, eases requirements for stock dividends and stock buybacks and reduces the collateral
requirements. The Senior Credit Agreement is collateralized by the Company's fleet of Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft
that are not collateralized under aircraft loans. Under the amended terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, the Company
is required to maintain collateral coverage equal to 150% of the outstanding balances of the term loan and the maximum
capacity of the revolving credit facility or 175% of the outstanding balance of the term loan and the total funded
revolving credit facility, whichever is less. The minimum collateral coverage which must be maintained is 50% of the
outstanding balance of the term loan plus the revolving credit facility commitment of $275 million. Beginning May
6, 2015, and each year thereafter through May 6, 2019, the Company may request a one year extension of the final
maturity date, subject to the lenders' consent.
Under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Company is subject to covenants and warranties that are usual and
customary, including among other things, limitations on certain additional indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness,
as well as a total debt to EBITDA ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The Senior Credit Agreement stipulates
events of default including unspecified events that may have a material adverse effect on the Company. If an event of
default occurs, the Company may be forced to repay, renegotiate or replace the Senior Credit Agreement.
Additional debt or lower EBITDA may result in higher interest rates. Under the Senior Credit Agreement, interest
rates are adjusted quarterly based on the prevailing LIBOR or prime rates and a ratio of the Company's outstanding
debt level to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses ("EBITDA"). At the Company's
current debt-to-EBITDA ratio, the unsubordinated term loan and the revolving credit facility both bear a variable interest
rate of 2.17%
At December 31, 2014, the Company had $30.6 million of cash balances. The Company had $86.0 million available
under the revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, which totaled $9.0 million. As specified under
the terms of ABX's CMI agreement with DHL, the $1.6 million balance at December 31, 2014 of the unsecured note
33
payable to DHL will be extinguished ratably without payment through March 31, 2015. We believe that the Company's
current cash balances and forecasted cash flows provided from its operating agreements, combined with its Senior
Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to fund operations, scheduled debt payments, required pension funding and planned
capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated
entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities
(“SPEs”), which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other
contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we were not involved in any material
unconsolidated SPE transactions.
Certain of our operating leases and agreements contain indemnification obligations to the lessor or one or more
other parties that are considered usual and customary (e.g. use, tax and environmental indemnifications), the terms of
which range in duration and are often limited. Such indemnification obligations may continue after the expiration of
the respective lease or agreement. No amounts have been recognized in our financial statements for the underlying fair
value of guarantees and indemnifications.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as certain
disclosures included elsewhere in this report, are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation
of these financial statements requires us to select appropriate accounting policies and make estimates and judgments
that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingencies.
In certain cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques which could be selected. On an ongoing basis,
we evaluate our selection of policies and the estimation techniques we use, including those related to revenue recognition,
post-retirement liabilities, bad debts, self-insurance reserves, valuation of spare parts inventory, useful lives, salvage
values and impairment of property and equipment, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates
on historical experience, current conditions and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under
the circumstances. Those factors form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
that are not readily apparent from other sources, as well as for identifying and assessing our accounting treatment with
respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions
or conditions. We believe the following significant and critical accounting policies involve the more significant
judgments and estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues generated from airline service agreements are typically recognized based on hours flown or the amount
of aircraft and crew resources provided during a reporting period. Certain agreements include provisions for incentive
payments based upon on-time reliability. These incentives are typically measured on a monthly basis and recorded to
revenue in the corresponding month earned. Revenues for operating expenses that are reimbursed through customer
agreements, including consumption of aircraft fuel, are generally recognized as the costs are incurred. Revenues from
charter service agreements are recognized on scheduled and non-scheduled flights when the specific flight has been
completed. Aircraft lease revenues are recognized as operating lease revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of
the applicable lease agreements. Revenues from the sale of aircraft parts and engines are recognized when the parts
are delivered. Revenues earned and expenses incurred in providing aircraft-related maintenance, repair or technical
services are recognized in the period in which the services are completed and delivered to the customer. Revenues
derived from sorting parcels are recognized in the reporting period in which the services are performed. Revenue is
not recognized until collectibility is reasonably assured.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We assess in the fourth quarter of each year whether the Company’s goodwill acquired in acquisitions is impaired
in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) Topic
34
350-20 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. Additional assessments may be performed on an interim basis whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are
not amortized but are assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators occur. Finite-lived
intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful economic lives and are periodically reviewed for impairment.
The application of the goodwill impairment test requires significant judgment, including the determination of the
fair value of each reporting unit that has goodwill. We estimate the fair value using a market approach and an income
approach utilizing discounted cash flows applied to a market-derived rate of return. The market approach utilizes
market multiples from comparable publicly traded companies. The market multiples include revenues and EBITDA
(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). We derive cash flow assumptions from many factors
including recent market trends, expected revenues, cost structure, aircraft maintenance schedules and long term strategic
plans for the deployment of aircraft. Key assumptions under the discounted cash flow models include projections for
the number of aircraft in service, capital expenditures, long term growth rates, operating cash flows and market-derived
discount rates.
The first step of the goodwill impairment test requires a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its
respective carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit is less than its fair value, no indication of impairment
exists and a second step is not performed. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit is higher than its fair value, there
is an indication that an impairment may exist and a second step is performed. In the second step, fair values are assigned
to all of the assets and liabilities of a reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, and the implied fair
value of goodwill is calculated. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the recorded goodwill, an impairment
loss is recorded for the difference and charged to operations.
We have used the assistance of an independent business valuation firm in estimating an expected market rate of
return, and in the development of a market approach for CAM using multiples of EBITDA and revenues from comparable
publicly traded companies. Based on our analysis, as of December 31, 2014, CAM's fair value exceeded its carrying
value by more than 25%. The Company's key assumptions used for goodwill testing include uncertainties, including
the level of demand for cargo aircraft by shippers, the U.S. Military and freight forwarders and CAM's ability to lease
aircraft and the lease rates that will be realized. The demand for customer airlift is projected based on input from
customers, management's interface with customer planning personnel and aircraft utilization trends. Certain events or
changes in circumstances could negatively impact our key assumptions. Customer preferences for cargo aircraft may
be impacted by changes in aviation fuel prices. Key customers, including DHL and the U.S. Military, may decide that
they do not need as many aircraft as projected, or they may find alternatives.
Long-lived assets
Aircraft and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Factors which may cause an impairment include termination
of aircraft from a customer's network, extended operating cash flow losses from the assets and management's decisions
regarding the future use of assets. To conduct impairment testing, we group assets and liabilities at the lowest level
for which identifiable cash is largely independent of cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets that are to be
held and used, impairment is recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with an asset group
is less than the carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the assets down to fair value, and
a loss is recorded as the difference between the carrying value and fair value. Fair values are determined considering
quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable.
Depreciation
Depreciation of property and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the lesser of an asset’s useful life
or lease term. We periodically evaluate the estimated service lives and residual values used to depreciate our property
and equipment. The acceleration of depreciation expense or the recording of significant impairment losses could result
from changes in the estimated useful lives of our assets. We may change the estimated useful lives due to a number of
reasons, such as the existence of excess capacity in our air networks, or changes in regulations grounding or limiting
the use of aircraft.
Self-Insurance
We self-insure certain claims related to workers’ compensation, aircraft, automobile, general liability and employee
healthcare. We record a liability for reported claims and an estimate for incurred claims that have not yet been reported.
35
Accruals for these claims are estimated utilizing historical paid claims data and recent claims trends. Changes in claim
severity and frequency could result in actual claims being materially different than the costs provided for in our results
of operations. We maintain excess claim coverage with common insurance carriers to mitigate our exposure to large
claim losses.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal matters that have a degree of uncertainty associated with them. We continually assess the
likely outcomes of these matters and the adequacy of amounts, if any, provided for these matters. There can be no
assurance that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not differ materially from our assessment of them. There also
can be no assurance that we know all matters that may be brought against us at any point in time.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740-10 Income Taxes. The objectives of
accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred
tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial
statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been
recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. Fluctuations in the actual outcome of expected future
tax consequences could materially impact the Company’s financial position or its results of operations.
The Company has significant deferred tax assets including net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL CFs”) for federal
income tax purposes which begin to expire in 2024. Based upon projections of taxable income, we determined that it
was more likely than not that the NOL CF’s will be realized prior to their expiration. Accordingly, we do not have an
allowance against these deferred tax assets at this time.
We recognize the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based
on the technical merits of the position.
Post-retirement Obligations
The Company sponsors qualified defined benefit pension plans for ABX’s flight crewmembers and other eligible
employees. The Company also sponsors non-qualified, unfunded excess plans that provide benefits to executive
management and crewmembers that are in addition to amounts permitted to be paid through our qualified plans under
provisions of the tax laws. Employees are no longer accruing benefits under any of the defined benefit pension plans.
The Company also sponsors unfunded post-retirement healthcare plans for ABX’s flight crewmembers and non-flight
crewmember employees.
The accounting and valuation for these post-retirement obligations are determined by prescribed accounting and
actuarial methods that consider a number of assumptions and estimates. The selection of appropriate assumptions and
estimates is significant due to the long time period over which benefits will be accrued and paid. The long term nature
of these benefit payouts increases the sensitivity of certain estimates on our post-retirement costs. In actuarially valuing
our pension obligations and determining related expense amounts, key assumptions include discount rates, expected
long term investment returns, retirement ages and mortality. Actual results and future changes in these assumptions
could result in future costs that are materially different than those recorded in our annual results of operations.
Our actuarial valuation includes an assumed long term rate of return on pension plan assets of 6.25%. Our assumed
rate of return is based on a targeted long term investment allocation of 30% equity securities, 65% fixed income securities
and 5% real estate. The actual asset allocation at December 31, 2014 was 28% equities, 68% fixed income, 4% real
estate and 0% cash. The pension trust includes $55.5 million of investments (8% of the plans' assets) whose fair values
have been estimated in the absence of readily determinable fair values. Such investments include private equity, hedge
fund investments and real estate funds. Management’s estimates are based on information provided by the fund managers
or general partners of those funds.
In evaluating our assumptions regarding expected long term investment returns on plan assets, we consider a
number of factors, including our historical plan returns in connection with our asset allocation policies, assistance from
investment consultants hired to provide oversight over our actively managed investment portfolio, and long term
inflation assumptions. The selection of the expected return rate materially affects our pension costs. Our expected long
term rate of return was 6.25% after analyzing expected returns on investment vehicles and considering our long term
asset allocation expectations. If we were to lower our long term rate of return assumption by a hypothetical 100 basis
36
points, expense in 2014 would be increased by approximately $7.1 million. We use a market value of assets as of the
measurement date for determining pension expense.
In selecting the interest rate to discount estimated future benefit payments that have been earned to date to their
net present value (defined as the projected benefit obligation), we match the plan’s benefit payment streams to high-
quality bonds of similar maturities. The selection of the discount rate not only affects the reported funded status
information as of December 31 (as shown in Note H to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), but also
affects the succeeding year’s pension and post-retirement healthcare costs. The discount rates selected for December 31,
2014, based on the method described above, were 4.35% for crewmembers and 4.40% for non-crewmembers. If we
were to lower our discount rates by a hypothetical 50 basis points, pension expense in 2014 would be increased by
approximately $6.1 million.
Our mortality assumptions at December 31,2014, reflect the most recent projections released by the Actuaries
Retirement Plans Experience Committee, a committee within the Society of Actuaries, a professional association in
North America. The assumed future increase in salaries and wages is not a significant estimate in determining pension
costs because each defined benefit pension plan was frozen during 2009 with respect to additional benefit accruals.
The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the aforementioned assumptions on our pension expense, pension
obligation and accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):
Change in assumption
100 basis point decrease in rate of return
50 basis point decrease in discount rate
Aggregate effect of all the above changes
Discontinued Operations
Effect of change
December 31, 2014
2014
Pension
expense
Pension
obligation
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (pre-tax)
$
7,053
$
— $
6,116
13,169
(55,762)
(55,762)
—
55,762
55,762
In accordance with the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 205-20 Presentation of Financial Statements, a business
component whose operations are discontinued is reported as discontinued operations if the cash flows of the component
have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company and the Company will no longer have any significant
continuing involvement in the business component. The results of discontinued operations are aggregated and presented
separately in the consolidated statement of operations. FASB ASC Topic 205-20 requires the reclassification of amounts
presented for prior years to reflect their classification as discontinued operations.
Exit Activities
We account for the costs associated with exit activities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 420-10 Exit or Disposal
Cost Obligations. One-time, involuntary employee termination benefits are generally expensed when the Company
communicates the benefit arrangement to the employee that it will no longer require the services of the employee
beyond a minimum retention period. Liabilities for contract termination costs associated with exit activities are
recognized in the period incurred and measured initially at fair value.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements and the expected impact on our annual
statements, see Note A "SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES" in the accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item
8 of this Form 10-K.
37
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates and changes in the price of jet fuel. The risk
associated with jet fuel, however, is largely mitigated by reimbursement through the agreements with our customers.
The Company's Senior Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain derivative instruments for fluctuating
interest rates, for at least fifty percent of the outstanding balance of the unsubordinated term loan. Accordingly, in July
2011, the Company entered into an interest rate swap instrument. Additionally, the Company entered into another
interest rate swap in June 2013. As a result, future fluctuations in LIBOR interest rates will result in the recording of
unrealized gains and losses on interest rate derivatives held by the Company. The notional values were $58.1 million
as of December 31, 2014. See Note J in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our
accounting treatment for these hedging transactions.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company has $47.8 million of fixed interest rate debt and $296.3 million of variable
interest rate debt outstanding. Variable interest rate debt exposes us to differences in future cash flows resulting from
changes in market interest rates. Variable interest rate risk can be quantified by estimating the change in annual cash
flows resulting from a hypothetical 20% increase in interest rates. A hypothetical 20% increase or decrease in interest
rates would have resulted in a change in interest expense of approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2014.
The debt issued at fixed interest rates is exposed to fluctuations in fair value resulting from changes in market
interest rates. Fixed interest rate risk can be quantified by estimating the increase in fair value of our long term debt
through a hypothetical 20% increase in interest rates. As of December 31, 2014, a 20% increase in interest rates would
have decreased the fair value of our fixed interest rate debt by approximately $0.5 million.
The Company is exposed to concentration of credit risk primarily through cash deposits, cash equivalents, marketable
securities and derivatives. As part of our risk management process, we monitor and evaluate the credit standing of the
financial institutions with which we do business. The financial institutions with which we do business are generally
highly rated. The Company is exposed to counterparty risk, which is the loss we could incur if a counterparty to a
derivative contract defaulted.
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans for certain eligible
employees. The Company's related pension expense and funding requirements are sensitive to changes in interest rates
used to discount the estimated future benefits payments that have been earned by participants in the plans. The annual
pension expense is recalculated at the beginning of each calendar year using market interest rates at that point in time.
At December 31, 2014, ABX's defined benefit pension plans had total investment assets of $719.8 million under
investment management. See Note H in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of
these assets.
38
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
39
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
Wilmington, Ohio
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. and
subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 2014. Our audits also include the financial statement schedule listed in the Table of Contents at Item 15a(2). These
financial statements and and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position
of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United State of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set
forth therein.
As discussed in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s two principal customers account
for a substantial portion of the Company’s revenue. The Company’s financial security is dependent on its ongoing
relationship with its principal customers existing as of December 31, 2014.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established
in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission and our report dated March 9, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal
control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Dayton, Ohio
March 9, 2015
40
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $812 in 2014 and $717 in 2013
Inventory
Prepaid supplies and other
Deferred income taxes
Aircraft and engines held for sale
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
Property and equipment, net
Other assets
Goodwill and acquired intangibles
Pension assets, net of obligations
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
Accrued expenses
Current portion of debt obligations
Unearned revenue
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long term debt
Post-retirement obligations
Other liabilities
Deferred income taxes
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Commitments and contingencies (Note G)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
December 31, December 31,
2014
2013
$
30,560
43,513
10,665
11,898
19,770
715
117,121
847,268
28,230
39,010
—
$ 1,031,629
$
31,699
52,247
9,050
9,730
13,957
2,995
119,678
838,172
21,143
39,291
14,855
$ 1,033,139
$
$
40,608
25,633
8,201
24,344
12,914
111,700
319,750
92,050
57,647
102,993
684,140
34,818
23,163
9,695
23,721
8,733
100,130
360,794
30,638
62,740
109,869
664,171
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, including 75,000 Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 75,000,000 shares authorized;
64,854,950 and 64,618,305 shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013,
respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
—
—
649
526,669
(96,953)
(82,876)
347,489
$ 1,031,629
646
524,953
(126,813)
(29,818)
368,968
$ 1,033,139
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
41
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
REVENUES
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages and benefits
Fuel
Maintenance, materials and repairs
Depreciation and amortization
Travel
Rent
Landing and ramp
Insurance
Pension settlement
Impairment of goodwill
Other operating expenses
OPERATING INCOME
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income
Net gain on derivative instruments
Interest expense
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
TOTAL BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
TOTAL DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
Basic
Diluted
$
$
$
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31
2013
580,023
2014
589,592
$
$
2012
607,438
166,526
53,521
91,528
108,254
17,662
26,650
10,305
5,304
6,700
—
38,617
525,067
64,525
92
1,096
(13,937)
(12,749)
51,776
(19,702)
32,074
(2,214)
175,383
49,376
97,053
91,749
18,693
27,468
11,204
6,216
—
52,585
37,111
566,838
13,185
74
631
(14,249)
(13,544)
184,644
53,928
97,540
84,477
22,683
25,970
15,973
7,716
—
—
35,819
528,750
78,688
136
1,879
(14,383)
(12,368)
(359)
66,320
(19,266)
(19,625)
(3)
(24,672)
41,648
(774)
29,860
$
(19,628) $
40,874
0.50
(0.04)
0.46
0.49
(0.03)
0.46
$
$
$
$
(0.31) $
—
(0.31) $
(0.31) $
—
(0.31) $
0.66
(0.02)
0.64
0.65
(0.02)
0.63
64,253
65,211
63,992
63,992
63,461
64,420
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
42
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
Years Ended December 31
2013
2012
2014
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Defined Benefit Pension
Defined Benefit Post-Retirement
Gains and Losses on Derivatives
Foreign Currency Translation
$
29,860
$
(19,628) $
40,874
(50,119)
(1,875)
(5)
(1,059)
90,530
(3,032)
(29)
—
(10,976)
(3,227)
(37)
—
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax
$
(23,198) $
67,841
$
26,634
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
43
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Years Ended December 31
2013
2012
2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Impairment of goodwill and acquired intangibles
Depreciation and amortization
Pension and post-retirement
Deferred income taxes
Amortization of stock-based compensation
Amortization of DHL promissory note
Net gain on derivative instruments
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Inventory and prepaid supplies
Accounts payable
Unearned revenue
Accrued expenses, salaries, wages, benefits and other liabilities
Pension and post-retirement assets
Other
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from property and equipment
Investment in nonconsolidated affiliate
Other proceeds
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on long term obligations
Proceeds from borrowings
Funding for hangar construction
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid, net of amount capitalized
Federal alternative minimum and state income taxes paid
SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH INFORMATION:
Debt extinguished
Accrued capital expenditures
$
32,074
(2,214)
$ (19,625) $
(3)
41,648
(774)
—
108,254
8,492
17,757
2,924
(6,200)
(1,096)
9,582
(4,164)
(803)
1,148
344
(14,662)
(2,651)
148,785
52,585
91,749
7,061
18,772
2,732
(6,200)
(631)
(4,994)
(900)
2,012
(6,205)
(112)
(38,352)
(3,478)
94,411
—
84,477
5,562
23,749
3,231
(6,200)
(1,879)
(4,328)
(1,759)
(5,688)
654
4,898
(27,926)
(5,032)
110,633
(112,184)
3,602
(15,000)
—
(123,582)
(112,712)
1,521
—
6,803
(104,388)
(155,243)
5,772
—
—
(149,471)
(79,221)
45,000
7,879
(26,342)
(1,139)
31,699
30,560
13,576
604
6,200
7,648
$
$
$
$
$
(53,766)
80,000
—
26,234
16,257
15,442
31,699
13,752
1,313
6,200
1,055
(26,223)
50,000
—
23,777
(15,061)
30,503
15,442
13,195
377
6,200
4,770
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
44
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Accumulated
Deficit
(148,059) $
$
Total
(103,047) $ 270,147
—
(756)
—
40,874
(107,185) $
3,231
(14,240)
26,634
(117,287) $ 299,256
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2012
Stock-based compensation plans
Grant of restricted stock
Withholdings of common shares, net
of issuances
Forfeited restricted stock
Amortization of stock awards and
restricted stock
Common Stock
Number
64,015,789
Amount
640
$
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
$ 520,613
254,200
(83,933)
(56,000)
3
(1)
(1)
(3)
(755)
1
3,231
Total comprehensive income (loss)
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2012 64,130,056
Stock-based compensation plans
$
641
$ 523,087
$
Grant of restricted stock
Withholdings of common shares, net
of issuances
Forfeited restricted stock
Tax benefit from common stock
compensation
Amortization of stock awards and
restricted stock
258,800
238,049
(8,600)
3
2
—
(3)
(1,050)
—
187
2,732
Total comprehensive income (loss)
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2013 64,618,305
Stock-based compensation plans
$
646
$ 524,953
$
(19,628)
(126,813) $
Grant of restricted stock
Issuance of common shares, net of
withholdings
Forfeited restricted stock
Tax benefit from common stock
compensation
Amortization of stock awards and
restricted stock
196,000
49,545
(8,900)
2
1
—
(2)
(939)
—
(267)
2,924
Total comprehensive income (loss)
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2014 64,854,950
$
649
$ 526,669
$
29,860
(96,953) $
2,924
(53,058)
(23,198)
(82,876) $ 347,489
—
(1,048)
—
187
2,732
67,841
87,469
(29,818) $ 368,968
—
(938)
—
(267)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
45
AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A—SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries include an aircraft leasing
company and two independently certificated airlines. The Company provides airline operations, aircraft leases, aircraft
maintenance and other support services primarily to the cargo transportation and package delivery industries. Through
the Company's subsidiaries, it offers a range of complementary services to delivery companies, freight forwarders,
airlines and government customers.
The airlines, ABX Air, Inc. (“ABX”) and Air Transport International, Inc. (“ATI”), each have the authority, through
their separate U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT") and Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") certificates,
to transport cargo worldwide. The Company's leasing subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc. (“CAM”), leases
aircraft to each of the Company's airlines as well as to non-affiliated airlines and other lessees.
The Company provides aircraft and airline operations to its customers, typically under contracts providing for a
combination of aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance ("ACMI") services. The Company serves a base of
concentrated customers who have a diverse line of international cargo traffic. DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc.
and its affiliates, “DHL,” is the Company's largest customer. ATI provides passenger transportation, primarily to the
U.S. Military, using "combi" aircraft, which are certified to carry passengers as well as cargo on the main deck.
In addition to its airline operations and aircraft leasing services, the Company sells aircraft parts, provides aircraft
and equipment maintenance services, and operates mail sorting facilities for the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”).
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Investments in an affiliate in which the Company has significant influence but does
not exercise control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Using the equity method, the Company’s
share of the nonconsolidated affiliate's income or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings and
cumulative post-acquisition changes in the investment are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment.
Inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated. The financial statements of the Company are prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are used
to record allowances for uncollectible amounts, self-insurance reserves, spare parts inventory, depreciation and
impairments of property, equipment, goodwill and intangibles, post-retirement obligations, income taxes, contingencies
and litigation. Changes in estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on the consolidated financial
statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company classifies short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time
of purchase as cash and cash equivalents. These investments, consisting of money market funds, are recorded at cost,
which approximates fair value. Substantially all deposits of the Company’s cash are held in accounts that exceed
federally insured limits. The Company deposits cash in common financial institutions which management believes are
financially sound.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
The Company's accounts receivable is primarily due from its significant customers (see Note B), other airlines, the
USPS and freight forwarders. The Company performs a quarterly evaluation of the accounts receivable and the
46
allowance for uncollectible accounts by reviewing specific customers' recent payment history, growth prospects,
financial condition and other factors that may impact a customer's ability to pay. The Company establishes an allowance
for uncollectible accounts for probable losses due to a customer's potential inability or unwillingness to make contractual
payments. Account balances are written off against the allowance when the Company ceases collection efforts.
Inventory
The Company’s inventory is comprised primarily of expendable aircraft parts and supplies used for aircraft
maintenance. Inventory is generally charged to expense when issued for use on a Company aircraft. The Company
values its inventory of aircraft parts and supplies at weighted-average cost and maintains a related obsolescence reserve.
The Company records an obsolescence reserve on a base stock of inventory for each fleet type. The amortization of
base stock for the obsolescence reserve corresponds to the expected life of each fleet type. Additionally, the Company
monitors the usage rates of inventory parts and segregates parts that are technologically outdated or no longer used in
its fleet types. Slow moving and segregated items are actively marketed and written down to their estimated net
realizable values based on market conditions.
Management analyzes the inventory reserve for reasonableness at the end of each quarter. That analysis includes
consideration of the expected fleet life, amounts expected to be on hand at the end of a fleet life, and recent events and
conditions that may impact the usability or value of inventory. Events or conditions that may impact the expected life,
usability or net realizable value of inventory include additional aircraft maintenance directives from the FAA, changes
in DOT regulations, new environmental laws and technological advances.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company assesses, during the fourth quarter of each year, the carrying value of goodwill. Finite-lived intangible
assets are amortized over their estimated useful economic lives. The Company also conducts impairment assessments
of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in
circumstance indicate an impairment may have occurred.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment held for use is stated at cost, net of any impairment recorded. The cost and accumulated
depreciation of disposed property and equipment are removed from the accounts with any related gain or loss reflected
in earnings from operations.
Depreciation of property and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the asset’s useful life
or lease term. Depreciable lives are summarized as follows:
Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft and flight equipment
Ground equipment
Leasehold improvements, facilities and office equipment
10 to 18 years
3 to 10 years
3 to 25 years
The Company periodically evaluates the useful lives, salvage values and fair values of property and equipment.
Acceleration of depreciation expense or the recording of significant impairment losses could result from changes in
the estimated useful lives of assets due to a number of reasons, such as excess aircraft capacity or changes in regulations
governing the use of aircraft.
Aircraft and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying value of
the assets may not be recoverable. To conduct impairment testing, the Company groups assets and liabilities at the
lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For
assets that are to be held and used, impairment is recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated
with the asset group is less than the carrying value. If impairment exists, an adjustment is made to write the assets
down to fair value, and a loss is recorded as the difference between the carrying value and fair value. Fair values are
determined considering quoted market values, discounted cash flows or internal and external appraisals, as applicable.
For assets held for sale, impairment is recognized when the fair value less the cost to sell the asset is less than the
carrying value.
47
The Company’s accounting policy for major airframe and engine maintenance varies by subsidiary and aircraft
type. The costs for ABX's Boeing 767-200 airframe maintenance, which is the majority of the Company's aircraft fleet,
are expensed as they are incurred. The costs of major airframe maintenance for the Company's other aircraft are
capitalized and amortized over the useful life of the overhaul. Most of the Company's General Electric CF6 engines
that power the Boeing 767-200 aircraft are maintained under “power by the hour” agreements with an engine
maintenance provider. Under the power by the hour agreements, the engines are maintained by the service provider
for a fixed fee per flight hour; accordingly, the cost of engine maintenance is generally expensed as flight hours occur.
Maintenance for the airlines’ other aircraft engines, including those on the Boeing 767-300 and Boeing 757 aircraft,
are typically contracted to service providers on a time and material basis and the costs of those engine overhauls are
capitalized and amortized over the useful life of the overhaul.
Under certain leases, the Company is required to make periodic payments to the lessor for future maintenance
events such as engine overhauls and major airframe maintenance. These payments are recorded as deposits until drawn
for qualifying maintenance costs. The maintenance costs are expensed or capitalized in accordance with the airline's
accounting policy for major airframe and engine maintenance. The Company evaluates at the balance sheet date,
whether it is probable that an amount on deposit will be returned by the lessor to reimburse the costs of the maintenance
activities. When an amount on deposit is less than probable of being returned, it is recognized as additional maintenance
expense.
Capitalized Interest
Interest costs incurred while aircraft are being modified are capitalized as an additional cost of the aircraft until the
date the asset is placed in service. Capitalized interest was $0.1 million, $1.1 million and $2.8 million for the years
ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
A business component whose operations are discontinued is reported as discontinued operations if the cash flows
of the component have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company, and the Company will no longer
have any significant continuing involvement in the business component. The results of discontinued operations are
aggregated and presented separately in the consolidated statements of operations.
Exit Activities
The Company accounts for the costs associated with exit activities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 420-10
Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. One-time, involuntary employee termination benefits are generally expensed when
the Company communicates the benefit arrangement to the employee that it will no longer require the services of the
employee beyond a minimum retention period. Liabilities for contract termination costs associated with exit activities
are recognized in the period incurred and measured initially at fair value.
Self-Insurance
The Company is self-insured for certain workers’ compensation, employee healthcare, automobile, aircraft, and
general liability claims. The Company maintains excess claim coverage with common insurance carriers to mitigate
its exposure to large claim losses. The Company records a liability for reported claims and an estimate for incurred
claims that have not yet been reported. Accruals for these claims are estimated utilizing historical paid claims data and
recent claims trends. Other liabilities included $25.8 million and $28.3 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31,
2013, respectively, for self-insured reserves. Changes in claim severity and frequency could result in actual claims
being materially different than the costs accrued.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits
The costs of benefits provided by defined benefits pension and post-retirement health care plans are recorded in the
period the employees provide service. Costs adjustments for plan amendments are amortized over the expected working
life or the life expectancy of plan participants. The funded status of the Company's plans is measured as the difference
between the fair value of plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligations to plan participants. The overfunded or
48
underfunded status of a plan is recorded as an asset or liability. The funded status is ordinarily measured annually at
year end.
Income Taxes
Income taxes have been computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are
provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets
and liabilities. Deferred taxes are measured using provisions of currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance
against net deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be fully realized. Tax
credits are accounted for as a reduction of income taxes in the year in which the credit originates.
The Company recognizes the benefit of a tax position taken on a tax return, if that position is more likely than not
of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. An uncertain income tax benefit is not
recognized if it has a less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes interest and penalties
accrued related to uncertain tax positions in operating expense.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes net earnings and other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive
income or loss results from certain changes in the Company’s liabilities for pension and other post retirement benefits,
gains and losses associated with interest rate hedging instruments and fluctuations in currency exchange rates related
to the foreign affiliate.
Fair Value Information
Assets or liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value are reported using the exchange price that would
be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for
the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. FASB ASC Topic
820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures establishes three levels of input that may be used to measure fair
value:
•
•
•
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical,
unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities;
quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by
observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to
the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include items where the determination
of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues generated from airline service agreements are typically recognized based on hours flown or the amount
of aircraft and crew resources provided during a reporting period. Certain agreements include provisions for incentive
payments based upon on-time reliability. These incentives are typically measured on a monthly basis and recorded to
revenue in the corresponding month earned. Revenues for operating expenses that are reimbursed through customer
agreements, including consumption of aircraft fuel, are generally recognized as the costs are incurred. Revenues from
charter service agreements are recognized on scheduled and non-scheduled flights when the specific flight has been
completed. Aircraft lease revenues are recognized as operating lease revenues on a straight-line basis over the term of
the applicable lease agreements. Revenues from the sale of aircraft parts and engines are recognized when the parts
are delivered. Revenues earned and expenses incurred in providing aircraft-related maintenance, repair or technical
services are recognized in the period in which the services are completed and delivered to the customer. Revenues
derived from sorting parcels are recognized in the reporting period in which the services are performed. Revenue is
not recognized until collectibility is reasonably assured.
49
New Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting
Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." The objective of the update is to
change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations in Subtopic 205-20. It is effective in the first quarter of
2015, and the impact to the consolidated financial statements is not expected to be material.
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU
2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize
revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects
to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant
judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU
2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the methods of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect the standard
is expected to have on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows and related
disclosures.
NOTE B—SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
DHL
The Company's largest customer is DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and its affiliates ("DHL"). The Company
has had long term contracts with DHL since August 2003. Revenues from continuing operations performed for DHL
were approximately 55%, 54% and 53% of the Company's consolidated revenues from continuing operations for the
years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s balance sheets include accounts
receivable with DHL of $12.2 million and $24.1 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The Company leases Boeing 767 aircraft to DHL under both long-term and short-term lease agreements. Under
a separate crew, maintenance and insurance (“CMI”) agreement, the Company operates Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL
leases from the Company and Boeing 767 aircraft that DHL owns. Pricing for services provided through the CMI
agreement is based on pre-defined fees, scaled for the number of aircraft operated and the number of flight crews
provided to DHL for its U.S. network. The Company provides DHL with scheduled maintenance services for aircraft
that DHL leases or owns. The Company also provides Boeing 767 and Boeing 757 air cargo transportation services
for DHL through additional ACMI agreements in which the Company provides the aircraft, crews, maintenance and
insurance under a single contract. Revenues generated from the ACMI agreements are typically based on hours flown.
The Company also provides ground equipment, such as power units, air starts and related maintenance services to DHL
under separate agreements.
U.S. Military
A substantial portion of the Company's revenues are also derived from the U.S. Military. The U.S. Military awards
flights to U.S. certificated airlines through annual contracts and through temporary "expansion" routes. Revenues from
services performed for the U.S. Military were approximately 16%, 17% and 16% of the Company's total revenues from
continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company's balance
sheets included accounts receivable with the U.S. Military of $6.0 million and $4.8 million as of December 31, 2014
and December 31, 2013, respectively.
NOTE C—GOODWILL, ACQUIRED INTANGIBLES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS
As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the goodwill amounts were retested for impairment. The goodwill
included in the CAM segment was not impaired. The ATI goodwill, included in ACMI Services segment, was found
to be impaired as of December 31, 2013. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $52.6 million in 2013 to
write-off the ATI goodwill. As a result of past events and market changes, the Company did not expect ATI to generate
50
Table of Contents
the forecasted net cash flows from ATI's Boeing 767 operations as previously expected. In December 2013 and in
January 2014, the Company received notification from DHL that it would cease using ATI's Boeing 767 services in the
Middle East by the end of February 2014. Further, as a result of persistent stagnant growth conditions at the end of
2013 and excess airlift capacity, including the projections published by the U.S. Military that reflected continued
reductions in their demand for cargo (non combi) airlift, the Company allocated fewer Boeing 767 aircraft to ATI than
previously expected. The Company instead deployed more Boeing 767 aircraft with other airlines during 2014.
The Company determined the fair values of ATI and CAM separately using industry market multiples and discounted
cash flows utilizing a market-derived rate of return (level 3 fair value inputs).
The carrying amounts of goodwill by reportable segment, are as follows (in thousands):
Carrying value as of December 31, 2012
Impairment
Carrying value as of December 31, 2013
Impairment
Carrying value as of December 31, 2014
ACMI Services
CAM
Total
$
$
$
$
$
52,585
(52,585)
— $
— $
— $
34,395
—
34,395
$
$
— $
34,395
$
86,980
(52,585)
34,395
—
34,395
The Company's intangible assets relate to the ACMI Services segment and are as follows (in thousands):
Carrying value as of December 31, 2012
Amortization
Carrying value as of December 31, 2013
Amortization
Carrying value as of December 31, 2014
Customer
Airline
Relationships
Certificates
Total
$
$
$
2,146
(250)
1,896
(281)
1,615
$
$
$
3,000
—
3,000
—
3,000
$
$
$
5,146
(250)
4,896
(281)
4,615
The customer relationship intangible amortizes through 2020. The Company recorded amortization expense for
the customer relationship intangible asset of $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ending December
31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The airline certificates have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortized.
In January 2014, the Company acquired a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic AB of Gothenburg, Sweden
("West"). West, through its two airlines, Atlantic Airlines Ltd. and West Air Sweden AB, operates a fleet of approximately
40 aircraft and is Europe’s largest regional cargo aircraft operator. West operates its aircraft on behalf of European
regional mail carriers and express logistics providers. The airlines operate a combined fleet of British Aerospace ATPs,
Bombardier CRJ-200-PFs, and Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition, West Air Sweden AB is adding the Boeing 767 aircraft
to its operating capability.
The Company has significant influence, but does not exercise control, over West. Accordingly, the investment in
West is accounted for using the equity method of accounting and was initially recognized at cost. At December 31,
2014, the Company’s carrying value of West was $13.8 million, including $5.5 million of excess purchase price over
the Company's proportional fair value of West's net assets in January of 2014, is reflected in “Other Assets” in the
Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE D—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s money market funds and interest rate swaps are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance
sheets at fair values based on market values from identical or comparable transactions. The fair value of the Company’s
money market funds and interest rate swaps are based on observable inputs (Level 2) from comparable market
transactions. The use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) was not necessary in determining the fair value of
the Company’s financial assets and liabilities.
51
The following table reflects assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets
Cash equivalents—money market
Total Assets
Liabilities
Interest rate swap
Total Liabilities
As of December 31, 2013
Assets
Cash equivalents—money market
Total Assets
Liabilities
Interest rate swap
Total Liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
20
20
$
$
— $
— $
2,306
2,306
$
$
(1,419) $
(1,419) $
— $
— $
— $
— $
2,326
2,326
(1,419)
(1,419)
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
20
20
$
$
— $
— $
301
301
$
$
(2,515) $
(2,515) $
— $
— $
— $
— $
321
321
(2,515)
(2,515)
As a result of lower market interest rates compared to the stated interest rates of the Company’s fixed and variable
rate debt obligations, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations, based on Level 2 observable inputs, was
approximately $2.5 million more than the carrying value, which was $344.1 million at December 31, 2014. As of
December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was approximately $6.3 million more than the
carrying value, which was $384.5 million. The non-financial assets, including goodwill, intangible assets and property
and equipment are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
NOTE E—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The Company's property and equipment consists primarily of cargo aircraft, aircraft engines and flight equipment.
Property and equipment, to be held and used, is summarized as follows (in thousands):
$
December 31,
2014
1,285,966
33,677
25,180
18,612
1,363,435
(516,167)
847,268
$
$
December 31,
2013
1,167,737
42,368
11,737
68,487
1,290,329
(452,157)
838,172
$
Flight equipment
Ground equipment
Leasehold improvements, facilities and office equipment
Aircraft modifications and projects in progress
Accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net
52
CAM owned aircraft with a carrying value of $289.5 million and $250.9 million that were under leases to external
customers as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Minimum future lease payments for aircraft and equipment
leased to external customers as of December 31, 2014 is scheduled to be $62.8 million, $53.5 million, $34.0 million,
$17.6 million and $8.7 million for each of the next five years ending December 31, 2019. These minimum lease
payments do not reflect an agreement executed with DHL in January 2015, to amend the lease agreement for 13 aircraft
and extend their terms through March 31, 2019. Under the new agreement with DHL executed in January 2015, the
Company expects the future minimum lease payments for aircraft and equipment leased to external customers as of
December 31, 2014 to be $61.6 million, $52.0 million, $49.7 million, $44.9 million and $15.9 million for each of the
next five years ending December 31, 2019.
The carrying value of Boeing 727 and DC-8 freighter aircraft and engines available for sale totaled $0.7 million
and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Cash flows generated from sales of aircraft and
engines totaled $3.6 million, $1.5 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012,
respectively.
NOTE F—DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Long term obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):
Unsubordinated term loan
Revolving credit facility
Aircraft loans
Promissory note due to DHL, unsecured
Total long term obligations
Less: current portion
Total long term obligations, net
December 31,
December 31,
2014
2013
$
116,250
$
180,000
46,294
1,550
344,094
(24,344)
319,750
$
$
131,250
190,500
55,015
7,750
384,515
(23,721)
360,794
The Company executed a syndicated credit agreement ("Senior Credit Agreement") in May 2011 which includes
an unsubordinated term loan and a revolving credit facility. On May 6, 2014, the Company executed an amendment
to the Senior Credit Agreement (the "Third Credit Amendment"). The Third Credit Amendment extends the maturity
of the term loan and revolving credit facility to May 6, 2019, provides for annual, one year extension options, provides
for an accordion feature whereby the Company can draw up to an additional $50.0 million subject to the lenders' consent,
reduces the EBITDA-based pricing, eases requirements for stock dividends and stock buybacks and reduces the collateral
requirements. Under the amended terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain collateral
coverage equal to 150% of the outstanding balances of the term loan and the maximum capacity of revolving credit
facility or 175% of the outstanding balance of the term loan and the total funded revolving credit facility, whichever
is less. The minimum collateral coverage which must be maintained is 50% of the outstanding balance of the term
loan plus the revolving credit facility commitment which is $275.0 million. Beginning May 6, 2015, and each year
thereafter through May 6, 2019, the Company may request a one year extension of the final maturity date, subject to
the lenders' consent.
Under the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, interest rates are adjusted quarterly based on the Company's
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses ("EBITDA"), its outstanding debt level and
prevailing LIBOR or prime rates. At the Company's current debt-to-EBITDA ratio, the LIBOR based financing for
the unsubordinated term loan and revolving credit facility bear a variable interest rate of 2.17% and 2.17%, respectively.
The Credit Amendment did not affect the EBITDA based pricing or covenants of the Senior Credit Agreement. The
Senior Credit Agreement provides for the issuance of letters of credit on the Company's behalf. As of December 31,
2014, the unused revolving credit facility totaled $86.0 million, net of draws of $180.0 million and outstanding letters
of credit of $9.0 million.
53
The aircraft loans are collateralized by six aircraft, and amortize monthly with a balloon payment of approximately
20% with maturities between 2016 and early 2018. Interest rates range from 6.74% to 7.36% per annum payable
monthly.
The scheduled annual principal payments on long term debt, as of December 31, 2014, for the next five years are
as follows (in thousands):
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 and beyond
$
Principal
Payments
24,344
33,865
29,445
18,640
236,250
1,550
$
344,094
The promissory note payable to DHL becomes due in August 2028 as a balloon payment, unless it is extinguished
sooner under the terms of the CMI agreement. Beginning April 1, 2010 and extending through the term of the CMI
agreement, the balance of the note is amortized ratably without cash payment in exchange for services provided and,
thus, is expected to be completely amortized by April 2015. The promissory note bears interest at a rate of 5% per
annum, and DHL reimburses ABX the interest expense from the note through the term of the CMI agreement.
The Senior Credit Agreement is collateralized by certain of the Company's Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft that are
not collateralized under aircraft loans. The Senior Credit Agreement contains covenants including, among other things,
limitations on certain additional indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness, as well as a total debt to EBITDA ratio and
a fixed charge coverage ratio. The Senior Credit Agreement stipulates events of default, including unspecified events
that may have material adverse effects on the Company. If an event of default occurs, the Company may be forced to
repay, renegotiate or replace the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement limits the amount of dividends
the Company can pay and the amount of common stock it can repurchase to $50.0 million during any calendar year,
provided the Company's total debt to EBITDA ratio is under 2.5 times, after giving effect to the dividend or repurchase.
Under the provisions of its promissory note due to DHL, the Company is required to prepay the DHL note in the amount
of $0.20 for each dollar of dividend distributed to its stockholders. The same prepayment stipulation applies to stock
repurchases.
54
NOTE G—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease Commitments
The Company leases portions of the air park in Wilmington, Ohio, under lease agreements with a regional port
authority, the terms of which expire in May of 2019 and June of 2036 with options to extend the leases at the Company's
discretion. The leased facilities include corporate offices, 310,000 square feet of maintenance hangars and a 100,000
square foot component repair shop at the air park. ABX also has the non-exclusive right to use the airport, which
includes one active runway, taxi ways and ramp space. Additionally, the Company leases three Boeing 767 aircraft,
certain equipment and airport facilities, office space, maintenance facilities at locations outside of the airpark in
Wilmington. The future minimum lease payments of the Company as of December 31, 2014 are scheduled below (in
thousands):
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 and beyond
Total minimum lease payments
Guarantees and Indemnifications
Facility
Leases
Other
Leases
$
4,723 $
4,502
4,125
3,952
2,363
13,780
894
341
93
53
30
—
$
33,445 $
1,411
Certain leases and agreements of the Company contain guarantees and indemnification obligations to the lessor, or
one or more other parties that are considered reasonable and customary (e.g. use, tax and environmental
indemnifications), the terms of which range in duration and are often limited. Such indemnification obligations may
continue after expiration of the respective lease or agreement.
Brussels Noise Ordinance
The Brussels Instituut voor Milieubeheer ("BIM"), a governmental authority in the Brussels-Capital Region of
Belgium that oversees the enforcement of environmental matters, imposed four separate administrative penalties on
ABX in the approximate aggregate amount of €0.4 million ($0.4 million) for numerous alleged violations of an ordinance
limiting the noise caused by aircraft overflying the Brussels-Capital Region (which is located near the Brussels Airport)
during the period from May 2009 through December 2010. ABX has exhausted its appeals with respect to all four of
the administrative penalties.
The ordinance in question is controversial for the reason that it was adopted by the Brussels-Capital Region and
is more restrictive than the noise limitations in effect in the Flemish Region, which is where the Brussels Airport is
located. Numerous airlines have been levied fines under the ordinance, which is currently the subject of several court
cases pending before the Belgian courts, including with respect to demands for payment. The Brussels government
has suspended issuing demands for payment of the penalties pending the outcome of the litigation. ABX has yet to
receive a demand for payment of the penalties.
Other
In addition to the foregoing matters, we are also currently a party to legal proceedings, including FAA enforcement
actions, in various federal and state jurisdictions arising out of the operation of the Company's business. The amount
of alleged liability, if any, from these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty; however, we believe that the
Company's ultimate liability, if any, arising from the pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims
and known potential legal claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals for estimated
liabilities, should not be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
55
Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements
As of December 31, 2014, the flight crewmember employees of ABX and ATI were represented by the labor unions
listed below:
Airline
ABX
ATI
Labor Agreement Unit
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Air Line Pilots Association
Percentage of
the
Company’s
Employees
12.0%
5.9%
NOTE H—PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit and Post-retirement Healthcare Plans
ABX sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan for ABX crewmembers and a qualified defined benefit
pension plan for a major portion of its other ABX employees that meet minimum eligibility requirements. ABX also
sponsors non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain employees. These non-qualified plans are unfunded.
Employees are no longer accruing benefits under any of the defined benefit pension plans. ABX also sponsors a post-
retirement healthcare plan for its ABX employees, which is unfunded. Benefits for covered individuals terminate upon
reaching age 65 under the post-retirement healthcare plans.
The accounting and valuation for these post-retirement obligations are determined by prescribed accounting and
actuarial methods that consider a number of assumptions and estimates. The selection of appropriate assumptions and
estimates is significant due to the long time period over which benefits will be accrued and paid. The long term nature
of these benefit payouts increases the sensitivity of certain estimates of our post-retirement costs. The assumptions
considered most sensitive in actuarially valuing ABX’s pension obligations and determining related expense amounts
are discount rates and expected long term investment returns on plan assets. Additionally, other assumptions concerning
retirement ages, mortality and employee turnover also affect the valuations. Actual results and future changes in these
assumptions could result in future costs significantly higher than those recorded in our results of operations.
ABX measures plan assets and benefit obligations as of December 31 of each year. Information regarding ABX’s
sponsored defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans follow below. The accumulated benefit
obligation reflects pension benefit obligations based on the actual earnings and service to-date of current employees.
During 2014, ABX offered vested, former employee participants of the qualified pension plan and vested employee
participants of the crewmembers qualified pension plan a one-time option to settle their pension benefit with the
Company through a single payment or a nonparticipating annuity contract. As a result, ABX settled $98.7 million of
pension obligations in December of 2014 from the pension plans assets. The settlement resulted in pre tax charges of
$6.7 million to continued operations and $5.0 million to discontinued operations for 2014 due to the reclassification
of $11.7 million of pre-tax losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
56
Funded Status (in thousands):
Accumulated benefit obligation
Change in benefit obligation
Obligation as of January 1
Service cost
Interest cost
Curtailment gain
Special termination benefits
Plan amendment
Plan transfers
Benefits paid
Settlement payments
Actuarial (gain) loss
Obligation as of December 31
Change in plan assets
Fair value as of January 1
Actual gain on plan assets
Plan transfers
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Settlement payments
Fair value as of December 31
Funded status
Overfunded plans, net asset
Underfunded plans
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Post-retirement
Healthcare Plans
2014
2013
Pension Plans
2014
807,992
761,774
—
39,517
—
—
—
2,659
(29,961)
(98,738)
132,741
807,992
$
$
$
$
751,246
88,453
2,659
6,128
(29,961)
(98,738) $
$
719,787
$
$
$
$
2013
761,774
860,463
—
35,957
—
—
—
2,448
(28,966)
—
(108,128)
761,774
682,553
67,719
2,448
27,492
(28,966)
— $
$
751,246
— $
14,855
$
6,163
7,482
239
286
—
—
—
—
(1,623)
—
(221)
6,163
$
$
$
— $
—
—
1,623
(1,623)
— $
— $
— $
(1,506) $
(86,699) $
(1,339) $
(24,044) $
(812) $
(5,351) $
7,482
8,781
275
264
—
—
—
—
(1,364)
—
(474)
7,482
—
—
—
1,364
(1,364)
—
—
—
(888)
(6,594)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
ABX’s net periodic benefit costs for its defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement healthcare plans for the
years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, are as follows (in thousands):
Pension Plans
Post-Retirement Healthcare Plan
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Settlements
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of net (gain) loss
Net periodic benefit cost
$
— $
— $
— $
39,517
35,957
37,089
(46,111)
(45,990)
(39,882)
11,660
—
(2)
—
—
—
—
$
239
286
—
—
275
264
—
—
269
379
—
—
(3,487)
(5,654)
(5,552)
12,296
10,681
321
419
433
$
5,064
$
2,263
$
7,888
$
(2,641) $
(4,696) $
(4,471)
57
Unrecognized Net Periodic Benefit Expense
The pre-tax amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that have not yet been recognized as components
of net periodic benefit expense at December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
Unrecognized prior service cost
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
Pension Plans
Post-Retirement
Healthcare Plans
2014
2013
2014
2013
$
— $
— $
118,932
40,190
(696) $ (4,182)
2,027
1,486
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
$ 118,932
$ 40,190
$
790
$ (2,155)
The following table sets forth the amounts of unrecognized net actuarial loss and (gain) recorded in accumulated
other comprehensive loss that is expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense during 2015
(in thousands):
Amortization of actuarial loss
Prior Service Cost
Assumptions
Post-
Retirement
Healthcare
Plans
Pension
Plans
$
7,170
$
—
292
(543)
Assumptions used in determining the funded status of ABX’s pension plans at December 31 were as follows:
Discount rate - crewmembers
Discount rate - non-crewmembers
Expected return on plan assets
2014
4.35%
4.40%
6.25%
Pension Plans
2013
5.25%
5.35%
6.25%
2012
4.25%
4.25%
6.75%
Net periodic benefit cost was based on the discount rate assumptions at the end of the previous year.
The discount rate used to determine post-retirement healthcare obligations was 3.35% for pilots and 3.30% for non-
pilots at December 31, 2014. The discount rate used to determine post-retirement healthcare obligations was 4.15%
for pilots and 3.85% for non-pilots at December 31, 2013. The discount rate used to determine post-retirement healthcare
obligations was 3.35% for pilots and 2.95% for non-pilots at December 31, 2012. Post-retirement healthcare plan
obligations have not been funded. The Company's retiree healthcare contributions have been fixed for each participant,
accordingly, healthcare cost trend rates do not effect the post-retirement healthcare obligations.
58
Plan Assets
The weighted-average asset allocations by asset category are as shown below:
Asset category
Cash
Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Real estate
Composition of Plan Assets
as of December 31
2014
2013
—%
28%
68%
4%
100%
—%
50%
47%
3%
100%
ABX uses an investment management firm to advise it in developing and executing an investment policy. The
portfolio is managed with consideration for diversification, quality and marketability. The investment policy permits
the following ranges of asset allocation: equities – 15% to 35%; fixed income securities – 60.0% to 80.0%; real estate
– 0% to 5%; cash – 0% to 5%. Except for U.S. Treasuries, no more than 10% of the fixed income portfolio and no
more than 5% of the equity portfolio can be invested in securities of any single issuer.
The overall expected long term rate of return was developed using various market assumptions in conjunction with
the plans’ targeted asset allocation. The assumptions were based on historical market returns.
Cash Flows
In 2014 and 2013, the Company made contributions to its defined benefit plans of $6.1 million and $27.5 million,
respectively and $98.7 million for settlement payments in 2014. The Company estimates that its contributions in 2015
will be approximately $6.5 million for its defined benefit pension plans and $0.8 million for its post-retirement healthcare
plans.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid out
of the respective plans as follows (in thousands):
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Years 2020 to 2024
Fair Value Measurements
Pension
Benefits
Post-retirement
Healthcare
Benefits
$
33,380
$
38,172
37,706
39,998
41,967
235,515
812
709
685
619
596
2,574
The pension plan assets are valued at fair value. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used
for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the
valuation hierarchy.
Temporary Cash Investments—These investments consist of U.S. dollars and foreign currencies held in master
trust accounts at The Northern Trust Company. Foreign currencies held are reported in terms of U.S. dollars based
on currency exchange rates readily available in active markets. These temporary cash investments are classified
as Level 1 investments.
59
Common Trust Funds—Common trust funds are composed of shares or units in non-publicly traded funds
whereby the underlying assets in these funds (cash, cash equivalents, fixed income securities and equity securities)
are publicly traded on exchanges and price quotes for the assets held by these funds are readily available. Holdings
of common trust funds are classified as Level 2 investments.
Corporate Stock—This investment category consists of common and preferred stock issued by domestic and
international corporations that are regularly traded on exchanges and price quotes for these shares are readily
available. These investments are classified as Level 1 investments.
Mutual Funds—Investments in this category include shares in registered mutual funds, unit trust and
commingled funds. These funds consist of domestic equity, international equity and fixed income strategies.
Investments in this category that are publicly traded on an exchange and have a share price published at the close
of each business day are classified as Level 1 investments and holdings in the other mutual funds are classified as
Level 2 investments.
Fixed Income Investments—Securities in this category consist of U.S. Government or Agency securities, state
and local government securities, corporate fixed income securities or pooled fixed income securities. Securities
in this category that are valued utilizing published prices at the close of each business day are classified as Level
1 investments. Those investments valued by bid data prices provided by independent pricing sources are classified
as Level 2 investments.
Real Estate—The real estate investment in a commingled trust account consists of publicly traded real estate
investment trusts and collateralized mortgage backed securities as well as private market direct property
investments. The valuations for the holdings in these investments are not based on readily observable inputs and
are classified as Level 3 investments.
Hedge Funds and Private Equity—These investments are not readily tradeable and have valuations that are
not based on readily observable data inputs. The fair value of these assets is estimated based on information provided
by the fund managers or the general partners. Therefore, these assets are classified as Level 3.
The pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Plan assets
Temporary cash investments
$
Common trust funds
Corporate stock
Mutual funds
Fixed income investments
Real estate
Hedge funds and private equity
— $
—
17,878
51,568
1,978
—
—
— $
— $
4,238
—
100,252
488,399
—
—
—
—
—
—
26,057
29,417
—
4,238
17,878
151,820
490,377
26,057
29,417
Total plan assets
$
71,424
$
592,889
$
55,474
$
719,787
60
As of December 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Plan assets
Temporary cash investments
$
Common trust funds
Corporate stock
Mutual funds
Fixed income investments
Real estate
Hedge funds and private equity
— $
—
63,313
107,635
6,761
—
—
— $
— $
10,503
—
164,230
349,904
—
—
—
—
—
—
19,561
29,339
—
10,503
63,313
271,865
356,665
19,561
29,339
Total plan assets
$
177,709
$
524,637
$
48,900
$
751,246
ABX’s pension investments include hedge funds, private equity and real estate funds whose fair values have been
estimated in the absence of readily determinable fair values. Management’s estimates are based on information provided
by the fund managers or general partners of those funds. The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning
and ending balances of the fair value measurements using significant Level 3 unobservable inputs (in thousands):
January 1, 2013
Unrealized gains
Purchases & settlements
December 31, 2013
Unrealized gains
Purchases & settlements
December 31, 2014
Defined Contribution Plans
Hedge Funds &
Private Equity
Real Estate
Investments
Total
$
$
$
26,969
$
17,181
$
3,884
(1,514)
29,339
2,376
(2,298)
29,417
$
$
2,380
—
19,561
$
6,496
—
26,057
$
44,150
6,264
(1,514)
48,900
8,872
(2,298)
55,474
The Company sponsors defined contribution capital accumulation plans (401k) that are funded by both voluntary
employee salary deferrals and by employer contributions. Expenses for defined contribution retirement plans were
$5.4 million, $5.1 million and $5.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
NOTE I—INCOME TAXES
At December 31, 2014, the Company had cumulative net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL CFs”) for federal
income tax purposes of approximately $94.7 million, which begin to expire in 2024 if not utilized before then. The
deferred tax asset balance includes $2.0 million net of a $0.2 million valuation allowance related to state NOL CFs,
which have remaining lives ranging from one to twenty years. These NOL CFs are attributable to excess tax deductions
related primarily to the accelerated tax depreciation of fixed assets.
61
The significant components of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are
as follows (in thousands):
Deferred tax assets:
December 31
2014
2013
Net operating loss carryforward and federal credits
$
35,902
$
Capital and operating leases
Post-retirement employee benefits
Employee benefits other than post-retirement
Inventory reserve
Deferred revenue
Other
Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation
Partnership items
State taxes
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax (liability)
—
31,067
16,489
2,930
9,154
1,810
97,352
36,624
2,841
6,470
16,667
3,050
8,903
1,262
75,817
(164,858)
(9,493)
(5,995)
(229)
(180,575)
(83,223) $
(155,769)
(9,466)
(6,265)
(229)
(171,729)
(95,912)
$
The following summarizes the Company’s income tax provisions (benefits) (in thousands):
Current taxes:
Federal
Foreign
State
Deferred taxes:
Federal
Foreign
State
Total deferred tax expense
Total income tax expense from continuing operations
Income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations
Years Ended December 31
2014
2013
2012
$
338
$
—
345
17,411
—
1,608
19,019
$
$
$
19,702
(1,262) $
$
67
—
425
17,902
—
872
18,774
19,266
$
(2) $
—
337
145
23,454
—
736
24,190
24,672
(441)
62
The reconciliation of income tax from continuing operations computed at the U.S. statutory federal income tax
rates to effective income tax rates is as follows:
Statutory federal tax rate
Foreign income taxes
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
Tax effect of non-deductible goodwill
Tax effect of other non-deductible expenses
Other
Effective income tax rate
Years Ended December 31
2014
2013
2012
35.0 %
— %
2.5 %
— %
0.8 %
(0.2)%
38.1 %
35.0 %
— %
(234.7)%
(5,121.2)%
(26.4)%
(19.3)%
(5,366.6)%
35.0 %
0.3 %
0.9 %
— %
1.1 %
(0.1)%
37.2 %
The reconciliation of income tax from discontinued operations computed at the U.S. statutory federal income tax
rates to effective income tax rates is as follows:
Statutory federal tax rate
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
Effective income tax rate
Years Ended December 31
2013
2014
2012
(35.0)%
(1.3)%
(36.3)%
(35.0)%
(1.3)%
(36.3)%
(35.0)%
(1.3)%
(36.3)%
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various international, state and local
jurisdictions. The returns may be subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other jurisdictional
authorities. International returns consist of disclosure returns where the Company is covered by the sourcing rules of
U.S. international treaties. The Company recognizes the impact of an uncertain income tax position in the financial
statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the
position. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits were $0.0 million, $0.0
million and $0.0 million respectively. Accrued interest and penalties on tax positions are recorded as a component of
interest expense. Interest and penalties expense was immaterial for 2014, 2013 and 2012.
The Company began to file, effective in 2008, federal tax returns under a common parent of the consolidated group
that includes ABX and all the wholly-owned subsidiaries. All returns related to the current consolidated group remain
open to examination with the exception of the 2008. The consolidated federal tax returns prior to 2007 remain open
to federal examination only to the extent of net operating loss carryforwards carried over from or utilized in those years.
State and local returns filed for 2005 through 2013 are generally also open to examination by their respective
jurisdictions.
63
NOTE J—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company's Senior Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain derivative instruments for protection
from fluctuating interest rates, for at least fifty percent of the outstanding balance of term loan. As a result, the Company
entered into an interest rate swap in July of 2011 having an initial notional value of $75.0 million and a forward start
date of December 31, 2011. Under this swap, the Company pays a fixed rate of 2.02% and receives a floating rate that
resets quarterly based on LIBOR. In addition to the interest rate swap above, the Company entered into an interest rate
swap in June of 2013 having an initial notional value of $65.6 million and a forward start date of December 31, 2013.
Under this swap, the Company will pay a fixed rate of 1.1825% and receive a floating rate that resets monthly based
on LIBOR.
The outstanding interest rate swaps are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The effects of future
fluctuations in LIBOR interest rates on derivatives held by the Company will result in the recording of unrealized gains
and losses into the statement of operations. The Company recorded nets gains on derivatives of $1.1 million, $0.6
million and $1.9 million for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The liability for
outstanding derivatives is recorded in other liabilities and in accrued expenses. The table below provides information
about the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):
Expiration Date
May 9, 2016
June 30, 2017
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
Stated
Interest
Rate
2.020%
1.183%
Notional
Amount
58,125
58,125
Market
Value
(Liability)
(1,071)
(348)
Notional
Amount
65,625
65,625
Market
Value
(Liability)
(1,988)
(527)
64
NOTE K—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the following items by components for the years ended
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
Balance as of January 1, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications:
Defined
Benefit
Pension
(110,626)
Defined
Benefit Post-
Retirement
7,504
Gains and
Losses on
Derivative
75
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Total
— (103,047)
Actuarial gain (loss) for retiree liabilities
(27,518)
168
—
—
(27,350)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income:
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages
and benefits)
Negative prior service cost (reclassified to
salaries, wages and benefits)
Hedging gain (reclassified to interest expense)
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications:
10,681
433
—
—
5,861
(10,976)
(121,602)
(5,552)
—
1,724
(3,227)
4,277
—
—
(57)
20
(37)
38
—
11,114
—
(5,552)
(57)
—
7,605
—
(14,240)
—
— (117,287)
Actuarial gain for retiree liabilities
129,856
474
—
— 130,330
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income:
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages
and benefits)
Negative prior service cost (reclassified to
salaries, wages and benefits)
Hedging gain (reclassified to interest expense)
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Balance as of December 31, 2013
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications:
Actuarial gain (loss) for retiree liabilities
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
Pension settlement
Actuarial costs (reclassified to salaries, wages
and benefits)
Negative prior service cost (reclassified to
salaries, wages and benefits)
Hedging gain (reclassified to interest expense)
Income Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Balance as of December 31, 2014
12,296
419
(5,654)
—
1,729
(3,032)
1,245
220
—
—
321
(3,487)
—
1,071
(1,875)
(630)
—
—
(51,622)
90,530
(31,072)
(90,400)
—
11,660
(2)
—
—
28,623
(50,119)
(81,191)
65
—
—
(50)
21
(29)
9
—
—
—
—
—
(42)
37
(5)
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
12,715
(5,654)
(50)
(49,872)
87,469
(29,818)
—
(1,629)
(90,180)
(1,629)
—
—
—
—
570
(1,059)
(1,059)
11,660
319
(3,487)
(42)
30,301
(53,058)
(82,876)
NOTE L—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company's Board of Directors has granted stock incentive awards to certain employees and board members
pursuant to a long term incentive plan which was approved by the Company's stockholders in May 2005. Employees
have been awarded non-vested stock units with performance conditions, non-vested stock units with market conditions
and non-vested restricted stock. The restrictions on the non-vested restricted stock awards lapse at the end of a specified
service period, which is typically approximately three years from the date of grant. Restrictions could lapse sooner
upon a business combination, death, disability or after an employee qualifies for retirement. The non-vested stock units
will be converted into a number of shares of Company stock depending on performance and market conditions at the
end of a specified service period, lasting approximately three years. The performance condition awards will be converted
into a number of shares of Company stock based on the Company's average return on invested capital during the service
period. Similarly, the market condition awards will be converted into a number of shares depending on the appreciation
of the Company's stock compared to the NASDAQ Transportation Index. Board members were granted time-based
awards with vesting periods of approximately a six or twelve months. The Company expects to settle all of the stock
unit awards by issuing new shares of stock. The table below summarizes award activity.
Year Ended December 31
2014
2013
2012
Number of
Awards
Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
Number of
Awards
Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
Number of
Awards
Weighted
average
grant-date
fair value
Outstanding at beginning of period
1,477,762
$
Granted
Converted
Expired
Forfeited
Outstanding at end of period
Vested
467,567
(404,179)
(116,800)
(17,800)
1,406,550
555,927
$
$
5.83
7.52
6.49
5.70
6.26
6.21
5.73
1,463,272
$
627,488
(526,848)
(68,950)
(17,200)
1,477,762
506,644
$
$
5.97
5.73
5.72
8.25
7.07
5.83
4.47
1,458,037
$
601,647
(472,112)
—
(124,300)
1,463,272
736,541
$
$
5.77
5.93
5.25
—
6.24
5.97
4.90
The average grant-date fair value of each performance condition award, non-vested restricted stock award and time-
based award granted by the Company was $7.44, $5.46 and $5.63 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the fair value
of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The average grant-date fair value of each market condition award granted
was $7.83, $6.78 and $7.05 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The market condition awards were valued using a
Monte Carlo simulation technique based on volatility over three years for the awards granted in 2014, 2013 and 2012
using daily stock prices and using the following variables:
Risk-free interest rate
Volatility
2014
0.8%
48.9%
2013
0.4%
61.0%
2012
0.4%
90.1%
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded expense of $2.9 million, $2.7
million and $3.2 million, respectively, for stock incentive awards. At December 31, 2014, there was $2.6 million of
unrecognized expense related to the stock incentive awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of 1.4 years. As of December 31, 2014, none of the awards were convertible, 415,550 units of the Board members
time-based awards had vested and none of the outstanding shares of the restricted stock had vested. These awards
could result in a maximum number of 1,684,250 additional outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock
depending on service, performance and market results through December 31, 2016.
66
NOTE M—EARNINGS PER SHARE
The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
December 31
2014
2013
2012
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
$
32,074
$
(19,625) $
64,253
63,992
Common equivalent shares:
Effect of stock-based compensation awards
Weighted-average shares outstanding assuming dilution
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
958
65,211
0.50
0.49
$
$
—
63,992
(0.31) $
(0.31) $
$
$
41,648
63,461
959
64,420
0.66
0.65
Basic weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of basic earnings per share are less than the shares
outstanding due to 435,600 shares, 481,900 shares and 370,400 shares of restricted stock for 2014, 2013 and 2012,
respectively, which are accounted for as part of diluted weighted average shares outstanding in diluted earnings per
share. The number of equivalent shares that were not included in weighted average shares outstanding assuming
dilution, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive, was none, none and 229,000 at December 31, 2014, 2013
and 2012, respectively.
NOTE N—SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates in two reportable segments. The CAM segment consists of the Company's aircraft leasing
operations and its segment earnings includes an allocation of interest expense. The ACMI Services segment consists
of the Company's airline operations, including the CMI agreement with DHL as well as ACMI and charter service
agreements that the Company has with other customers. Due to the similarities among the Company's airline operations,
the airline operations are aggregated into a single reportable segment, ACMI Services. The Company's other activities,
which include contracts with the USPS, the sale of aircraft parts and maintenance services, facility and ground equipment
maintenance services and management services for workers' compensation do not constitute reportable segments and
are combined in “All other” with inter-segment profit eliminations. Inter-segment revenues are valued at arms-length,
market rates. Cash, cash equivalents and deferred tax assets are reflected in Assets - All other below. The Company's
segment information from continuing operations is presented below (in thousands):
67
Total revenues:
CAM
ACMI Services
All other
Eliminate inter-segment revenues
Total
Customer revenues:
CAM
ACMI Services
All other
Total
Depreciation and amortization expense:
CAM
ACMI Services
All other
Total
Other Charges
ACMI Services - pension settlement
ACMI Services - goodwill impairment
Total
Segment earnings (loss):
CAM
ACMI Services
All other
Net unallocated interest expense
Net gain on derivative instruments
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31
2013
2012
2014
166,303
$
160,342
$
439,919
142,294
444,504
117,292
154,565
478,993
112,343
(158,924)
(142,115)
(138,463)
589,592
$
580,023
$
607,438
77,668
$
71,604
$
439,919
72,005
444,504
63,915
589,592
$
580,023
$
78,866
$
64,096
$
29,929
(541)
27,546
107
108,254
$
91,749
$
6,700
—
—
52,585
6,700
$
52,585
$
53,159
$
66,208
$
(12,081)
11,363
(1,761)
1,096
(78,186)
12,200
(1,212)
631
(359) $
74,599
477,722
55,117
607,438
59,351
24,599
527
84,477
—
—
—
68,499
(14,503)
11,650
(1,205)
1,879
66,320
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
$
51,776
$
The Company's assets are presented below by segment (in thousands):
Assets:
CAM
ACMI Services
Discontinued operations
All other
Total
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2014
2013
2012
$
801,195
$
808,987
$
135,109
—
95,325
141,664
294
82,194
810,664
161,650
—
63,297
$
1,031,629
$
1,033,139
$
1,035,611
Interest expense of $0.2 million, $0.6 million and $0.9 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was reimbursed
through the commercial agreements with DHL and included in the ACMI Services segment earnings above. Interest
expense allocated to CAM was $11.8 million, $12.4 million and $12.2 million for the years ending December 31, 2014,
2013 and 2012, respectively.
68
During 2014, the Company had capital expenditures of $44.6 million and $66.3 million for the ACMI Services and
CAM segments, respectively. The ACMI Services segment reflects a goodwill impairment charge of $52.6 million
recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Entity-Wide Disclosures
The Company's international revenues were approximately $205.0 million, $235.1 million and $314.2 million for
2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, derived primarily from international flights departing from or arriving in foreign
countries. All revenues from the CMI agreement with DHL are attributed to U.S. operations.
The Company's external customers revenues from other activities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013
and 2012 are presented below (in thousands):
Mail handling services
Aircraft maintenance and part sales
Facility and ground equipment maintenance
Other
Total customer revenues
NOTE O—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
December 31,
2014
2013
2012
$
$
$
$
$
34,025
26,393
11,119
468
$
$
30,117
23,175
10,030
593
23,671
21,669
8,304
1,473
72,005
$
63,915
$
55,117
The Company's results of discontinued operations consist primarily of pension expenses, adjustments to workers
compensation liabilities and other benefits for former employees previously associated with ABX's former freight
sorting and aircraft fueling services provided to DHL through 2009. ABX sponsors defined benefit plans for retirees
that include the former employees of the hub operations. Additionally, ABX is self-insured for medical coverage and
workers' compensation. The Company may incur expenses and cash outlays in the future related to pension obligations,
reserves for medical expenses and wage loss for former employees. Carrying amounts of significant assets and liabilities
of the discontinued operations are below (in thousands):
Assets
Pension assets, net of obligations
Total Assets
Liabilities
Employee compensation and benefits
Post-retirement
Total Liabilities
December 31
2014
2013
—
—
$
$
25,997
10,086
36,083
$
$
294
294
34,007
—
34,007
The revenues and pre-tax earnings of the discontinued operations are below (in thousands):
Pre-tax loss
2014
December 31
2013
2012
$
(3,477) $
(5) $
(1,215)
69
Table of Contents
NOTE P—QUARTERLY RESULTS (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2014
Revenues from continuing operations
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Weighted average shares:
Basic
Diluted
Earnings per share from continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
2013
Revenues from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Weighted average shares:
Basic
Diluted
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
1st
Quarter
2nd
Quarter
3rd
Quarter
4th
Quarter
$
143,593
$
149,618
$
138,443
$ 157,938
6,522
211
64,148
65,141
0.10
0.10
143,279
8,501
(1)
$
$
$
9,298
211
64,285
65,207
0.14
0.14
138,904
6,915
(1)
$
$
$
9,595
312
64,286
65,271
6,659
(2,948)
64,289
65,222
0.15
0.15
$
$
0.10
0.10
140,877
7,799
—
$ 156,963
(42,840)
(1)
63,810
64,524
64,050
64,859
64,052
65,036
64,054
64,054
0.13
0.13
$
$
0.11
0.11
$
$
0.12
0.12
$
$
(0.67)
(0.67)
$
$
$
$
$
1.
2.
In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $52.6 million on goodwill (see
Note C).
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded pre-tax pension settlement charges of $6.7 million to
continued operations and $5.0 million to discontinued operations (see Note H).
70
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2014, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation
of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation
of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based upon the evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective
to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial
reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems
determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on management’s assessment of those criteria, management believes that, as of December 31, 2014, the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
March 9, 2015
71
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
Wilmington, Ohio
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of
the effectiveness of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness
exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the
company’s principle financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board
of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management
and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because of the inherent limitation of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion
or improper management override of controls, material misstatement due to error or fraud may not be prevented or
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial
reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because changes in conditions,
or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December
31, 2014 of the Company and our report dated March 9, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial
statements and the financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s two
principal customers.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Dayton, Ohio
March 9, 2015
72
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance,” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters.”
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information about the Company’s executive officers. The executive officers serve at
the pleasure of the Company’s Board of Directors.
Name
Joseph C. Hete
Age
60
Quint O. Turner
52
Richard F. Corrado
55
W. Joseph Payne
51
Information
President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Transport Services Group,
Inc., since December 2007 and Chief Executive Officer, ABX Air, Inc.,
since August 2003.
Mr. Hete was President of ABX Air, Inc. from January 2000 to February
2008. Mr. Hete was Chief Operating Officer of ABX Air, Inc. from
January 2000 to August 2003. From 1997 until January 2000, Mr. Hete
held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of ABX Air, Inc. Mr. Hete served as Senior Vice President,
Administration of ABX Air, Inc. from 1991 to 1997 and Vice President,
Administration of ABX Air, Inc. from 1986 to 1991. Mr. Hete joined
ABX Air, Inc. in 1980.
Chief Financial Officer, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., since
February 2008 and Chief Financial Officer, ABX Air, Inc. since
December 2004.
Mr. Turner was Vice President of Administration of ABX Air, Inc. from
February 2002 to December 2004. Mr. Turner was Corporate Director
of Financial Planning and Accounting of ABX Air, Inc. from 1997 to
2002. Prior to 1997, Mr. Turner held positions of Manager of Planning
and Director of Financial Planning of ABX Air, Inc. Mr. Turner joined
ABX Air, Inc. in 1988.
Chief Commercial Officer, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., and
President of Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc. since April 2010.
President of Airborne Global Solutions, Inc. since July 2010.
Before joining ATSG, Mr. Corrado was President of Transform
Consulting Group from July 2006 through March 2010 and Chief
Operating Officer of AFMS Logistics Management from February
2008 through March 2010. He was Executive Vice President of Air
Services and Business Development for DHL Express from September
2003 through June of 2006; and Senior Vice President of Marketing
for Airborne Express from August 2000 through August 2003.
Senior Vice President, Corporate General Counsel and Secretary, Air
Transport Services Group, Inc., since February 2008 and Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary ABX Air, Inc. since January
2004.
Mr. Payne was Corporate Secretary/Counsel of ABX Air, Inc. from
January 1999 to January 2004, and Assistant Corporate Secretary from
July 1996 to January 1999. Mr. Payne joined ABX Air, Inc. in April
1995.
73
The executive officers of the Company are appointed annually at the Board of Directors meeting held in conjunction
with the annual meeting of stockholders. There are no family relationships between any directors or executive officers
of the Company.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The responses to this Item are incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015
Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” “Voting at the Meeting,”
“Stock Ownership of Management” and “Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.”
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Related Person Transactions” and “Independence.”
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders under the caption “Fees of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)
List of Documents filed as part of this report:
(1)
Consolidated Financial Statements
The following are filed in Part II, item 8 of this Form 10-K Annual Report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules
74
Description
Accounts receivable reserve:
Year ended:
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2013
December 31, 2012
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Account
Balance at
beginning
of period
Additions
charged to
cost and expenses
Deductions
Balance at end
of period
$
$
716,913
748,929
433,671
$
137,555
193,046
347,686
$
42,593
225,062
32,428
811,875
716,913
748,929
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or are not required, or because the required
information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this report.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
Articles of Incorporation
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
Certificate of Incorporation of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (formerly known as ABX
Holdings, Inc.). (6)
Bylaws of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (formerly known as ABX Holdings, Inc.). (6)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
reflecting corrections and amendments through May 17, 2013. [This document represents the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. in
compiled form, incorporating all corrections and amendments. This compiled document has not
been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State.] (20)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., reflecting amendments
through May 10, 2013. (20)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
reflecting corrections and amendments through August 16, 2013. [This document represents the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. in
compiled form, incorporating all corrections and amendments. This compiled document has not
been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State.] (21)
Material Contracts
Director compensation fee summary. (9)
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated August 24, 2006, by
and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (2)
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated October 10, 2006, by
and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (3)
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated February 16, 2007, by
and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (4)
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated April 25, 2007, by
and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (5)
75
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated October 26, 2007, by
and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (8)
Aircraft Loan and Security Agreement and related promissory note, dated December 19, 2007,
by and among ABX Air, Inc. and Chase Equipment Leasing, Inc. (8)
Amended and Restated First Non-Negotiable Promissory Note between ABX Air, Inc., as
maker, and DHL Express (USA), Inc., as holder, dated May 8, 2009. (7)
Guaranty by Air Transport Services Group, Inc. in favor of DHL Express (USA), Inc., dated
May 8, 2009. (7)
Lease Assumption and Option Agreement between DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and
ABX Air, Inc., dated May 29, 2009. (7)
Air Transportation Services Agreement between DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and
ABX Air, Inc., dated March 29, 2010. (10)
Mutual Termination Agreement and Release, made among DPWN Holdings (USA), Inc., DHL
Network Operations (USA), Inc., DHL Express (USA), Inc., Air Transport Services Group, Inc.,
and ABX Air, Inc., dated March 29, 2010. (10)
Second Amendment to Lease Assumption and Option Agreement and Exercise of Lease Option,
between DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. and ABX Air, Inc., dated March 29, 2010. (10)
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement under Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
2005 Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. (11)
Form of Performance-Based Stock Unit Award Agreement under Air Transport Services Group,
Inc. 2005 Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. (11)
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under Air Transport Services Group, Inc. 2005
Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. (22)
Conversion Agreement dated August 3, 2010, between Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc., M&B
Conversions Limited and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (12)
Letter Agreement, dated October 15, 2010, between Precision Conversions, LLC and Cargo
Aircraft Management, Inc. (13)
Credit Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2011, among Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc., as
Borrower, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., the Lenders from time to time party thereto,
SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Regions Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
Syndication Agents, and Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation Agent. (14)
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2011, made by Cargo Aircraft
Management, Inc. and certain of its Affiliates in favor of SunTrust Bank, as Administrative
Agent. (14)
Amendment to Confidentiality and Standstill Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2012, between
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. and Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC. (15)
Form of amended and restated change-in-control agreement in effect between Air Transport
Services Group, Inc. and its executive officers. (17)
Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated July 20, 2012, among Cargo Aircraft Management,
Inc., as Borrower, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., the Lenders from time to time party
thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Regions Bank and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., as Syndication Agents, and Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation Agent. (16)
76
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
Purchase and sale agreement, dated December 17, 2012, between Cargo Aircraft Management,
Inc., and National Air Cargo Group, Inc. for the purchase of three Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
Those portions of the Agreement marked with an [*] have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the SEC. (18)
Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated December 27, 2012, between Clinton County
Port Authority and Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (18)
Loan Agreement, Chapter 166, Ohio Revised Code, dated December 1, 2012, between the
Director of Development Services Agency of Ohio and Clinton County Port Authority. (18)
Guaranty Agreement, dated December 1, 2012, among Air Transport Services Group, Inc.,
Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc., Air Transport International, LLC,
Clinton County Port Authority, the Directory of Development Services Agency of Ohio, and the
Huntington National Bank. (18)
Lease Agreement for the Jump Hangar Facility, dated December 1, 2012, between Clinton
County Port Authority and Air Transport International, LLC. (18)
Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Financing
Statement, dated December 1, 2012, among Air Transport International, LLC and the Director
of Development Services Agency of Ohio. (18)
Bond Purchase Agreement, dated December 13, 2012, among the State of Ohio, acting by and
through its Treasurer of State, the Development Services Agency of Ohio, acting by and through
a duly authorized representative, Clinton County Port Authority, Air Transport International,
LLC and Stifel, Niolaus & Company, Inc. (18)
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, last modified
March 18, 2013. (19)
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, dated October
31, 2013. (21)
Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated October 22, 2013, among Cargo Aircraft
Management, Inc., as Borrower, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., the Lenders from time to
time party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Regions Bank and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agents, and Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation
Agents. (21)
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral
Agreement, dated May 6, 2014, by and among Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc., as Borrower,
Air Transport Services Group, Inc., each of the Guarantors party thereto, each of the financial
institutions party thereto as "Lenders", and SunTrust Bank as Administrative Agent. (23)
77
14.1
21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics—CEO and CFO. (1)
List of Significant Subsidiaries
List of Significant Subsidiaries of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., filed within.
Consent of experts and counsel
Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, filed herewith.
Certifications
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
101.INS
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.DEF
101.LAB
101.PRE
XBRL Instance Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
____________________
(1)
(2)
The Company's Code of Ethics can be accessed from the Company's Internet website at www.atsginc.com.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 9, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on August 14, 2007 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 14, 2007.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 14, 2007.
Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-A/A of ABX Holdings, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange
on January 2, 2008.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 10, 2009.
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 17, 2008 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
Corporate Governance and Board Matters, filed March 28, 2014 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 10, 2010. Those portions of the Agreement marked with an [*] have been
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the SEC.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 10, 2010.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
78
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 3, 2010. Those portions of the Agreement marked with an [*] have been
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the SEC.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 8, 2011. Those portions of the Agreement marked with an [*] have been
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the SEC.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 3, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on June 18, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 24, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 2, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 4, 2013. Those portions of the Agreement marked with an [*] have been
omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and have been filed separately with the SEC.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 18, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 8, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 6, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 12, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on August 5, 2014.
79
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
Signature
/S/ JOSEPH C. HETE
Joseph C. Hete
Title
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
Date
March 9, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature
/S/ JAMES H. CAREY
James H. Carey
Director and Chairman of the Board
March 9, 2015
Title
Date
/S/ RICHARD M. BAUDOUIN
Richard M. Baudouin
Director
/S/ JOSEPH C. HETE
Joseph C. Hete
/S/ ARTHUR J. LICHTE
Arthur J. Lichte
/S/ RANDY D. RADEMACHER
Randy D. Rademacher
/S/ J. CHRISTOPHER TEETS
J. Christopher Teets
/S/ JEFFREY J. VORHOLT
Jeffrey J. Vorholt
/S/ QUINT O. TURNER
Quint O. Turner
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
March 9, 2015
March 9, 2015
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Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Air Transport Services Group 2014 Annual Report
Investor Information
Board of Directors
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©
Stock Information
NASDAQ: ATSG
Company documents electronically filed with the
SEC also may be found at www.atsginc.com.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
Computershare Investor Services
(877) 581-5548 or (781) 575-2879
www.computershare.com/investor
By mail:
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
By courier:
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021
Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dayton, Ohio
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of stockholders will be May
7, 2015, at 11 a.m. local time at The Roberts
Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, Ohio.
Investor Relations
Telephone inquiries may be directed
to (937) 434-2700.
James H. Carey
Executive Vice President (Retired) of the Chase
Manhattan Bank. Mr. Carey has been the Chairman of
the Board of the Company since May 2004, and has
been a Director since August 2003. He is a member of
both the Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Governance Committee.
Richard A. Baudouin
Principal at Infinity Aviation Capital LLC,
an investment firm involved in aircraft leasing.
Mr. Baudouin has been a Director of the Company
since January 2013 and is a member of both the
Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Governance Committee.
Joseph C. Hete
President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Transport
Services Group, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of
ABX Air, Inc. Mr. Hete has been with the company
since 1980.
General Arthur J. Lichte, USAF (retired)
Retired four-star general of the U.S. Air Force and
former Commander of the Air Mobility Command.
General Lichte has been a Director of the Company
since February 2013 and is a member of the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Randy D. Rademacher
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of
Reading Rock, Inc. Mr. Rademacher has been a
Director of the Company since December 2006. He is
the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance
Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.
J. Christopher Teets
Partner of Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC.
Mr. Teets has been a Director of the Company
since February 2009. He is the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the
Nominating and Governance Committee.
Jeffrey J. Vorholt
Independent consultant and private investor.
Mr. Vorholt has been a Director of the Company
since January 2004. He is the Chairman of the
Audit Committee and is a member of the
Compensation Committee.
INSIDE FRONT COVER
INSIDE BACK COVER
2014 Annual Report
SM
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.
145 Hunter Drive
Wilmington, Ohio 45177
www.atsginc.com
OUTSIDE BACK COVER
OUTSIDE FRONT COVER