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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
Commission file number 001-33159
AerCap Holdings N.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
The Netherlands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
AerCap House
65 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin D02 YX20
Ireland
+ 353 1 819 2010
(Address of principal executive offices)
Vincent Drouillard, AerCap House, 65 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 YX20, Ireland
Telephone number: +353 1 819 2010, Fax number: +353 1 672 0270
(Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Ordinary Shares | AER | The New York Stock Exchange |
5.875% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079 | AER79 | The New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or ordinary stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
| | | | | |
Ordinary Shares, Euro 0.01 par value | 202,493,168 | |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. GAAP | ☒ | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board | ☐ | Other | ☐ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow: Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, principally under the captions “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” We have based these forward looking statements largely on our current beliefs and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Many important factors, in addition to those discussed in this annual report, could cause our actual results to differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward looking statements, including, among other things:
•the availability of capital to us and to our customers and changes in interest rates;
•the ability of our lessees and potential lessees to make lease payments to us;
•our ability to successfully negotiate flight equipment (which includes aircraft, engines and helicopters) purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to repossess flight equipment under defaulted leases, and to control costs and expenses;
•changes in the overall demand for commercial aviation leasing and aviation asset management services;
•the continued impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, including the resulting sanctions by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries, on our business and results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
•the effects of terrorist attacks on the aviation industry and on our operations;
•the economic condition of the global airline and cargo industry and economic and political conditions;
•the impact of current hostilities in the Middle East, or any escalation thereof, on the aviation industry or our business;
•development of increased government regulation, including travel restrictions, sanctions, regulation of trade and the imposition of import and export controls, tariffs and other trade barriers;
•a downgrade in any of our credit ratings;
•competitive pressures within the industry;
•regulatory changes affecting commercial flight equipment operators, flight equipment maintenance, engine standards, accounting standards and taxes;
•disruptions and security breaches affecting our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers; and
•the risks set forth in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” included in this annual report.
The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify forward looking statements. Forward looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. Forward looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward looking statements because of new information, future events or other factors. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the forward looking events and circumstances described in this annual report might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance.
PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
RISK FACTORS
Summary Risk Factors
Risks relating to our funding, liquidity and financial structure
•We require significant capital resources and cash flows to fund our business and service our debt, and changes in the availability of capital, our ability to raise funding or in the interest rates we pay on our debt may affect our operations or financial results.
•We have a substantial level of indebtedness and we might incur significantly more debt, which could adversely impact our operating flexibility and subject us to covenants that impose restrictions that may affect our ability to operate our business.
Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business
•We are exposed to geopolitical, economic and legal risks associated with the international operations of our business and those of our lessees, including many of the economic and political risks associated with emerging markets. We are exposed to concentrated political and economic risks in certain geographical regions in which our lessees are concentrated, particularly China.
•Our assets are subject to various environmental regulations and concerns, including those relating to climate change, that may be supplemented by additional regulations and requirements or become more stringent, which may negatively affect our operations. In addition, corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters, may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks.
•Our insurance policies may not adequately cover our risks, the costs of our insurance policies may increase and/or our insurance coverage may be reduced, and we may not be able to recover under insurance policies in a timely manner or at all should we suffer loss.
Risks related to disease, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other world events
•Global or regional public health developments, extreme weather or natural disasters or other force majeure events may adversely affect the demand for air travel, the financial condition of our lessees and the aviation industry more broadly, and ultimately our financial condition, results and cash flows.
•The effects of terrorist attacks and the threat of terrorist attacks, war or armed hostilities may adversely affect the financial condition of the airline industry.
Risks relating to market demand for, and lease rates and value of, flight equipment in our fleet
•Our business depends heavily on the level of demand for the flight equipment in our fleet, which may decline as a result of factors outside our control, thereby affecting the returns on our flight equipment investments.
•Our operations depend on flight equipment manufacturers, whose behavior may change in ways that adversely affect the lease rates and value of flight equipment in our fleet or our results of operations more broadly.
•If a decline in demand for certain flight equipment causes a decline in their projected lease rates, or if we expect to dispose of flight equipment for a price that is less than their depreciated book value on our balance sheet, then we will be required to recognize impairments, losses on disposals or make fair value adjustments.
Risks related to the financial strength of, and our relationship with, our lessees
•Our financial condition depends, in part, on the financial strength of our lessees, and factors outside of our control may adversely affect our lessees’ operations, their ability to meet their payment obligations to us or their demand for our flight equipment.
•Airline bankruptcy proceedings or reorganizations may limit our ability to collect lease rentals and other payments, depress flight equipment market values and adversely affect our ability to re-lease or sell flight equipment at favorable rates, if at all, particularly where such proceedings involve our lessees.
•If our lessees encounter financial difficulties and we restructure or terminate our leases, our ability to re-lease flight equipment on favorable lease terms, collect outstanding amounts due to us, and repossess flight equipment under defaulted leases may be limited and require us to incur additional costs and expenses.
•We have limited control over the operation of our flight equipment while it is under lease and we depend on our lessees to properly maintain and insure our flight equipment, which may expose us to additional and unexpected costs.
Risks related to competition and the aviation industry
•We face significant competition and our business may be adversely affected if market participants change as a result of restructuring or bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions, or new entities entering or exiting the industry, or if existing competitors enter into new or different market segments.
•We rely on a small number of manufacturers for the supply of commercial flight equipment, and disruptions in these manufacturers’ operating abilities, including as a result of supply chain issues, have caused us to experience delays, and may cause us to experience further delays, on the delivery of our flight equipment orders. We may experience additional delivery delays and associated costs if flight equipment manufacturers encounter quality issues that delay the manufacture of new flight equipment or if flight equipment fails to meet the contractual requirements or the requirements of air travel regulators.
Risks related to our information technology, structure and taxation
•We depend on our information systems and those of third parties, and our business may suffer if they are damaged or interrupted, including by cyberattack.
•We are incorporated in the Netherlands and it may be difficult to obtain or enforce judgments against us or our executive officers, some of our directors and some of our named experts in the United States.
•We are subject to taxation regimes in various jurisdictions, including Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) 2.0, which includes a global minimum tax rate of 15% for groups, such as AerCap, with a global turnover in excess of $750 million. We may become subject to additional taxes in those jurisdictions, taxes in other jurisdictions, or experience changes in our tax status in certain jurisdictions, which may affect the effective tax rates that we are subject to and the results of our operations.
Risks relating to our funding, liquidity and financial structure
We require significant capital to fund our business.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 338 new aircraft, 37 engines, and eight helicopters on order, which will require substantial purchase contract payments. In order to meet these commitments and to maintain an adequate level of unrestricted cash, we will need to raise additional funds by accessing committed debt facilities, securing additional financing from banks or through capital markets transactions, or possibly by selling flight equipment.
If we are unable to meet our purchase commitments as they come due, we will be subject to several risks, including:
•forfeiting deposits and progress payments to manufacturers and having to pay certain significant costs related to these commitments such as actual damages and legal, accounting and financial advisory expenses;
•defaulting on our lease commitments, which could result in monetary damages and strained relationships with lessees;
•failing to realize the benefits of purchasing and leasing such flight equipment; and
•risking harm to our business reputation, which would make it more difficult to purchase and lease flight equipment in the future on agreeable terms, if at all.
Any of these events could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
To service our debt and meet our other cash needs, we will require a significant amount of cash, which may not be available.
Our ability to make payments on, and to repay or refinance, our debt, depends largely upon our operating performance, which is in part subject to factors beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds to make payments on our debt depends on our maintaining specified financial ratios and satisfying financial condition tests and other covenants in certain of the agreements governing our debt. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future borrowings may not be available in amounts sufficient to pay our debt and to satisfy our other liquidity needs.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to seek alternatives, such as to reduce or delay investments and flight equipment purchases, sell assets, restructure or refinance our indebtedness, or seek additional capital, including through new types of debt, equity or hybrid securities. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates, which would increase our debt service requirements accordingly, and this has become significantly more likely given the current interest rate environment. Moreover, any such refinancing might require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or to meet our flight equipment purchase commitments as they come due. Failure to make payments on our debt would result in a default under those agreements and could result in a default under other agreements containing cross default provisions. Moreover, the issuance of additional equity may be dilutive to existing shareholders or otherwise may be on terms not favorable to us or existing shareholders. Under these circumstances, we may have insufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all our obligations.
Despite our substantial indebtedness, we might incur significantly more debt.
Despite our current indebtedness levels, we may increase our levels of debt in the future to finance our operations, including to purchase aircraft or to meet our contractual obligations, or for any other purpose. The agreements relating to our debt, including our indentures, term loan facilities, Export Credit Agency (“ECA”)-guaranteed financings, revolving credit facilities, securitizations, other commercial bank financings, and other financings do not prohibit us from incurring additional debt. As of December 31, 2023, we had $11.0 billion of undrawn lines of credit available under our revolving credit and term loan facilities, subject to certain conditions, including compliance with certain financial covenants. If we increase our total indebtedness, our debt service obligations will increase, and we will become more exposed to the risks arising from our substantial level of indebtedness.
Our level of indebtedness, which requires significant debt service payments, could adversely impact our operating flexibility and financial results.
The principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness, which excludes debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium of $213 million, was $46.7 billion as of December 31, 2023 (66% of our total assets as of December 31, 2023), and our interest payments, net of amounts capitalized, were $1.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. Due to the capital-intensive nature of our business, we expect that we will incur additional indebtedness in the future and continue to maintain significant levels of indebtedness.
Our level of indebtedness:
•requires a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to be dedicated to interest and principal payments and therefore not available to fund our operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansion, acquisitions or general corporate or other purposes;
•may impair our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all in the future;
•may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry; and
•may make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business, our industry or the economy in general.
The agreements governing our debt contain various covenants that impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to operate our business.
Certain of our indentures, term loan facilities, ECA-guaranteed financings, revolving credit facilities, securitizations, other commercial bank financings, and other agreements governing our debt impose operating and financial restrictions on our activities that limit our operational flexibility. Among other negative covenants customary for such financings, certain of these restrictions limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on, sell or access certain assets, declare or pay certain dividends and distributions or enter into certain transactions, investments, acquisitions, loans, guarantees or advances. Additionally, a substantial portion of our owned aircraft are held through Special Purpose Entities (“SPEs”) or finance structures that finance or refinance the aircraft through funding agreements that place restrictions on distributions of funds to us.
Agreements governing certain of our indebtedness also contain financial covenants, including requirements that we comply with certain loan-to-value, interest coverage and leverage ratios. These restrictions could impede our ability to operate our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition and other corporate opportunities. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control including war or other hostilities or the imposition of sanctions. Please refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—The international operations of our business and those of our lessees expose us to geopolitical risks that may have a negative impact on our and our lessees’ businesses, including the risk of legal and regulatory responses.” Failure to comply with any of the covenants in our financing agreements would result in a default under those agreements and could result in a default under other agreements containing cross-default provisions. Under these circumstances, we may have insufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all our obligations.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our net income, particularly by increasing our cost of borrowing.
Like many leasing companies, we are subject to interest rate risk. We use a mix of fixed rate and floating rate debt to finance our business. The principal amount of our outstanding floating rate debt was $10.3 billion, or 22% of the total principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023. Our cost of borrowing is affected by the interest rates that we obtain on our debt financings, which can fluctuate based on, among other things, general market conditions, the market’s assessment of our credit risk, prevailing interest rates in the market, fluctuations in U.S. Treasury rates and other benchmark rates, changes in credit spreads or swap spreads, and the duration of the debt we issue. While we routinely enter into hedging transactions to mitigate this risk, those hedging transactions may not sufficiently insulate us from the impact of changes in interest rates and may cause us to forgo any benefit that might result from favorable fluctuations in such rates. In addition, we are exposed to the credit risk that the counterparties to our derivative contracts will default on their obligations. Please refer to “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Interest rate risk” for further details on our interest rate risk. One of our primary sources of income is leases with multi-year fixed rates. A mismatch in the rates that we are obligated to pay to finance our business and the rents that accrue to us under leases of our flight equipment can negatively impact our net income.
During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, interest rates increased significantly in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries, and may remain high or increase further during 2024. If and when interest rates increase, we are obligated to make higher interest payments to the lenders of our floating rate debt; this negatively impacts our net income to the extent that those payments are not hedged. Increasing rates are also likely to increase the cost of any new financing we may raise during this period, which could, if not hedged, impact our net income. Typically, we are not able to immediately offset this negative impact by increasing the rates on our leases. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 98.5% of our basic lease rents from flight equipment under operating leases was attributable to leases with fixed lease rates and 1.5% was derived from leases with lease rates tied to floating interest rates. As our leases are primarily for multiple years with fixed lease rates for the duration of the lease, we generally cannot increase the lease rates with respect to a particular aircraft until the expiration of the lease, even if the market is able to bear the increased lease rates. As a result, there will be a lag in our ability to adjust and pass on the costs of increasing interest rates. Rising interest rates may also have a negative impact on the financial condition of our lessees, who may find it more difficult to service their debt and obtain new financing on favorable terms. While most of our leases have fixed lease rates, some lessees do have floating rate leases, and rising interest rates may increase the risk of a lessee with floating rate lease rates defaulting as payments due to us increase.
We are also exposed to certain risks from interest rate decreases. Decreases in interest rates may adversely affect our interest revenue on cash deposits and our lease revenue, in part because a decrease in interest rates would cause a decrease in our lease revenue from leases with lease rates tied to floating interest rates. We could also experience reduced lease revenue from our fixed rate leases if interest rates decrease because these are based, in part, on prevailing interest rates at the time we enter into the lease. As a result, new fixed rate leases we enter into at a time of lower interest rates may be at lower lease rates than had no such interest rate decrease occurred, adversely affecting our lease revenue. This may be particularly harmful to our business if we incur debt at higher interest rates and enter into leases at a time of lower interest rates.
Inflationary pressure may have a negative impact on our financial results, including by diminishing the value of our leases.
After a sustained period of relatively low inflation rates, rates of inflation increased significantly during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, reaching or exceeding recent historical highs in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries. While rates of inflation in a number of these countries have decreased from their recent highs, they remain above levels of recent years and in some cases above the inflationary targets of the relevant central banks. High rates of inflation may have a number of adverse effects on our business. Inflation may increase the costs of goods, services and labor used in our operations, thereby increasing our expenses. To the extent that we derive our income from leases with fixed rates of payment, high rates of inflation will cause a greater decrease in the value of those payments than had the rates of inflation remained lower. Because our leases are generally for multi-year periods, there may be a lag in our ability to adjust the lease rates for a particular aircraft accordingly. High rates of inflation may also lead policymakers to attempt to decrease demand or to adopt higher interest rates to combat inflationary pressures, resulting in the risks detailed in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks relating to our funding, liquidity and financial structure—Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our net income, particularly by increasing our cost of borrowing.” Our suppliers and lessees may also be subject to material adverse effects as a result of high rates of inflation, including as a result of the impact on their financial conditions, changes in demand patterns, price volatility, and supply chain disruption.
Negative changes in our credit ratings may limit our ability to obtain financing or increase our borrowing costs.
Our cost of borrowing and access to the capital markets are affected by our credit ratings.
We are currently subject to periodic review by independent credit rating agencies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, each of which currently maintains an investment grade rating with respect to us.
We cannot assure you that these credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn. Any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings could negatively impact our ability to obtain secured or unsecured financing, increase our borrowing costs or limit our access to the capital markets, which could adversely impact our financial results.
Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business
The international operations of our business and those of our lessees expose us to geopolitical risks that may have a negative impact on our and our lessees’ businesses, including the risk of legal and regulatory responses.
Our business, and the aviation industry generally, is subject to certain geopolitical risks. Geopolitical turmoil and uncertainty can have a significant disruptive effect on global markets, lead to regulatory and legal uncertainty and the imposition of requirements that may adversely affect our business, and impact trade markets, currency exchange rates, supply chains, and demand for and regulation concerning international and domestic travel, among other areas. This could have a negative impact on our ability to lease aircraft, engines and helicopters to, collect payments from, and support and recover aviation assets from customers in certain regions based on trade restrictions, embargoes, and export control laws, and could disrupt airline travel through, among other avenues, the imposition of closures of air space. Sanctions, including prohibitions regarding the supply of aircraft and aircraft components to specific persons, or for use in specific territories, may have a material adverse impact on our business, including reduced revenues and operating cash flows and the impairment or write-off of assets. For example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued conflict in that area (the “Ukraine Conflict”), the resulting sanctions imposed against Russia and actions of our former Russian lessees and the Russian government have had an adverse impact on our business and resulted in our loss of flight equipment, and associated revenue, in Russia. Refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—We suffered losses as a result of the Ukraine Conflict for which we have submitted insurance claims, and we may not be able to collect under all policies in a timely manner or at all.”
Future geopolitical events and their associated responses, particularly in or between countries and regions where we have substantial exposure, could have similar or worse effects on our operations and financial results. For example, tensions and potential conflict between mainland China and Taiwan, tensions between China and the United States, territorial disputes between Japan and China or tensions in the South China Sea could lead to further instability in these regions and materially and adversely impact our lessees’ businesses and our business and results of operations, including our ability to comply with financial covenants. Please refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our funding, liquidity and financial structure—The agreements governing our debt contain various covenants that impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to operate our business.” Our business, and that of our lessees, may also be negatively impacted by escalation or the continuation of the Ukraine Conflict or other hostilities in that region or between Russia and NATO, intensification or expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict and other tensions or conflicts in the Middle East, the situation in Syria, Venezuela, Sudan and Ethiopia, tension over the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran, or political instability, hostilities or conflicts in other regions. For example, as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict, a number of airlines have suspended flights to Israel and the “Big Twin” freighter program between AerCap Cargo and Israel Aerospace Industries, which involves the conversion of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft into long-haul large-capacity freighters, may encounter disruptions.
Additionally, the international distribution of our assets exposes us to risks associated with limitations on the repossession and repatriation of our assets or the expropriation of our assets, which could lead to impairments or other write-offs. For example, at the time of Russia’s launch of the Ukraine Conflict, we had significant assets on lease to Russian airlines. While we sought to repossess the affected assets, we were only able to recover a small minority of the assets and concluded that it was likely that we would not regain possession of the remainder of the assets. As a result, we recognized a pre-tax net charge of $2.7 billion to our earnings during the year ended December 31, 2022, comprised of write-offs and impairments of flight equipment, which were partially offset by the derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities (including maintenance rights and lease premium intangible assets, maintenance liabilities, security deposits and other balances) and the collection of letter of credit proceeds. It is not possible to predict all of the consequences of geopolitical events and their associated regulatory legal responses on our business. Please refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details.
The international nature of our business and our lessees’ businesses exposes us to a wide range of regulatory and legal regimes. We also face uncertainty from changes in political regimes globally. Changes in international regulations, laws, taxes, export controls, tariffs, embargoes, sanctions or other restrictions on trade or travel, including changes in response to geopolitical events, could adversely affect the profitability of our lessees’ businesses, the operations of aircraft manufacturers or the results of our operations. For an example, please refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—We are subject to regulatory and compliance risks and requirements associated with transacting business in many countries.” There is also a risk that we may become subject to contradictory legal obligations.
Because our lessees are concentrated in certain geographical regions, we have concentrated exposure to the geopolitical, political and economic risks associated with those regions, particularly China.
Through our lessees and the countries in which they operate, we are exposed to the specific economic, geopolitical and political conditions and associated risks of those jurisdictions. These risks can include economic recessions, regional impacts of epidemic diseases, burdensome local regulations, armed conflicts or, in extreme cases, increased risks of requisition or other loss of our flight equipment and risks of wide-ranging sanctions prohibiting us from leasing flight equipment in certain jurisdictions. These risks can be exacerbated in jurisdictions where we have a concentration of customers or assets. For instance, 15.7% of our long-lived assets were on lease to Chinese airlines as of December 31, 2023, and therefore we have significant exposure to the economic and political conditions in that country and to the increasingly adversarial relationship between China and the West. Please refer to Note 21—Geographic Information to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details. An adverse geopolitical, political or economic event in any region or country in which our lessees or our flight equipment are concentrated, such as China, could affect the ability of our lessees to meet their obligations to us, expose us to legal or political risks associated with the affected jurisdictions, or impact our ability to recover our assets (as happened as a result of the Ukraine Conflict) all of which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows, liquidity and results of operations and our ability to comply with financial covenants. Please refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our funding, liquidity and financial structure—The agreements governing our debt contain various covenants that impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to operate our business.”
We conduct substantial business in emerging markets, and are subject to the economic, legal and political risks associated with this strategy.
We derive substantial lease revenue (53% in 2023, 53% in 2022 and 54% in 2021) from airlines in countries that are defined as emerging market countries based on the Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Programme. Emerging market countries have less developed economies, are more vulnerable to economic and political problems and may experience significant fluctuations in gross domestic product, interest rates and currency exchange rates, as well as civil disturbances, government instability, nationalization and expropriation of private assets and the imposition of taxes or other charges by government authorities. The occurrence of any of these events could result in economic instability that adversely affects the value of our ownership interest in flight equipment subject to lease in such countries, or the ability of our lessees that serve such markets to meet their lease obligations. As a result, lessees that operate in emerging market countries may be more likely to default than lessees that operate in developed countries. In addition, legal systems in emerging market countries may be less developed, which could make it more difficult for us to enforce our legal rights in such countries. For these and other reasons, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected by economic and political developments in emerging market countries.
Existing and future litigation could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
We are, and from time to time in the future may be, a party to lawsuits relating to our business. We cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any litigation due to its inherent uncertainties. These uncertainties may be increased by our exposure to different liability standards and legal systems internationally, including some that may be less developed and less predictable than those in advanced economies. An unfavorable outcome could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, liquidity or results of operations. In addition, regardless of the outcome of any litigation, we may be required to devote substantial resources and executive time to the defense of such actions. For a description of certain pending litigation involving our business, refer to Note 31—Commitments and contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
We are subject to regulatory and compliance risks and requirements associated with transacting business in many countries.
Our international operations expose us to trade and economic sanctions, export controls and other restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union, China, the United Kingdom, and other governments or organizations. Any failure on our part to comply with applicable sanctions regimes or trade regulations could have negative consequences for our business. The U.S. Departments of Justice, Commerce, State and Treasury and other U.S. federal agencies and authorities have a broad range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against corporations and individuals for violations of economic sanctions laws, export control laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other U.S. federal statutes and regulations, including those established by the Office of Foreign Asset Control. Under these laws and regulations, the U.S. government may require export licenses, may seek to impose modifications to business practices, including cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries, and modifications to compliance programs, which may increase compliance costs, and may subject us to fines, penalties and other sanctions. A violation of any of these laws or regulations and those imposed by other relevant jurisdictions (including the European Union) could materially and adversely impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by us, our subsidiaries and our directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents with respect to various export control, anti-corruption, anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. However, such personnel could engage in unauthorized conduct for which we may be held responsible. Violations of such laws and regulations may result in severe criminal or civil penalties, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became law in the EU in 2018, regulates the ways in which businesses process personal data in Europe. There are extensive documentation obligations and transparency requirements, which may impose significant costs on us. Failure to comply with the GDPR may subject us to significant litigation or enforcement actions, fines, claims for compensation by customers and other affected individuals, damage to our reputation, orders to remedy breaches or criminal prosecutions, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition. For example, under the GDPR, we could incur significant fines of up to 4% of our annual global revenue. The development of additional, or enhancement of existing, data protection regulations in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, may impose additional costs on us.
Our assets are subject to various environmental regulations and concerns, including those relating to climate change.
Our operations and assets are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations, and non-U.S. laws and regulations related to the protection of the environment. We could incur substantial costs, including capital and other expenditures, to comply with such requirements, as well as fines, penalties, or civil or criminal sanctions and third-party claims, if we were to violate or become liable under such laws or regulations. For example, jurisdictions around the world have adopted regulations regarding aircraft and engine noise and emissions levels that apply based on where the relevant aircraft is registered and where the aircraft is operated and that have become more stringent over time. These or other future regulations applicable to our aircraft could limit the usability or the economic life of certain of our aircraft and engines, reduce their value, limit our ability to lease or sell the non-compliant aircraft and engines or, if engine modifications are permitted, require us to make significant additional investments in the aircraft and engines to make them compliant.
Due to growing concerns over the risks of climate change, the United States, the EU and other jurisdictions are moving towards imposing more stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines. Although current emissions control laws generally apply to newer engines, new laws could be passed in the future that also impose limits on older engines, thereby subjecting our older engines to existing or new emissions limitations or indirect taxation. These limits may also impact growth levels in air travel. In particular, the aviation sector is subject to the EU Emissions Trading System (“ETS”), a cap‐and‐trade system for greenhouse gas emissions, under which airlines currently are granted free emissions allowances based on historical performance and a carbon dioxide efficiency benchmark. However, in an April 2023 directive, the European Parliament and European Council adopted components of the European Commission’s “Fit for 55” proposal, which will modify the ETS system by phasing out free emissions allowances for the aviation sector by 2026. The directive entered force in June 2023, and was required to be transposed into national law by member states by December 31, 2023. In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization (“ICAO”) has adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (“CORSIA”), a global market-based scheme aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation that will become mandatory in 2027. At least 126 countries, including the United States, have indicated that they will participate in the voluntary phase-in of CORSIA from 2024 onwards. Limitations on emissions, such as the ETS and CORSIA, could favor the use of younger, more fuel-efficient aircraft, since they generally produce lower levels of emissions per passenger, which could adversely affect our ability to re-lease or otherwise dispose of less efficient older aircraft on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all. This is an area of law that is rapidly evolving and varies by jurisdiction. While it is uncertain whether new emissions restrictions will be passed, or if passed, what impact these laws might have on our business, any future emissions limitations or other future requirements to address climate change concerns could adversely affect us.
The airline industry has also come under increased scrutiny by the press, the public and investors regarding the impact of air travel on the environment, including emissions to the air, discharges to surface and subsurface waters, safe drinking water, aircraft noise, the management of hazardous substances, oils and waste materials and other environmental impacts related to aircraft operations. If such scrutiny results in reduced air travel or increased costs to air travel, it may affect demand for our aircraft, lessees’ ability to make rental and other lease payments and reduce the value we receive for our aircraft upon any disposition, which would negatively affect our financial condition, cash flow and results of operations. In addition, growing demand to transition to lower-carbon technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels that may be developed over time, may increase our costs or reduce demand for our aircraft or engines or airline travel more generally.
Corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters, may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks.
Public ESG and sustainability reporting is becoming more broadly expected by lenders, investors, shareholders and other third parties. Certain organizations that provide corporate governance and other corporate risk information to investors and shareholders have developed, and others may in the future develop, scores and ratings to evaluate companies and investment funds based upon ESG or “sustainability” metrics. The level of a company’s greenhouse gas emissions is one such metric that is receiving heightened attention by lenders, investors, shareholders and lawmakers. Many investment funds focus on positive ESG business practices and sustainability scores when making investments and may consider a company’s ESG or sustainability scores as a reputational or other factor in making an investment decision. Moreover, investors, particularly institutional investors, use these scores to benchmark companies against their peers, and if a company is perceived as lagging, these investors may engage with the company to improve ESG disclosure or performance and may also make voting decisions, or take other actions, to hold these companies and their boards of directors accountable for such scores. In addition, current EU regulations require financial firms to disclose how sustainability risks are incorporated into their lending decisions, and further regulations in the EU, and similar regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, may come into force in the future. Such regulations may encourage or require lenders to consider the sustainability impact of their loans, and if we, or the aviation sector generally become disfavored, the availability or terms of financing and our cost of funds could be materially and adversely impacted. We may also face reputational damage in the event our corporate responsibility initiatives or objectives (including with respect to greenhouse gas emissions) do not meet (or are perceived not to meet) the standards set by our lenders, investors, shareholders, lawmakers or other constituencies, or if we are unable to achieve an acceptable ESG or sustainability rating from third-party rating services. A low ESG or sustainability rating or score by a third-party rating service could also result in the exclusion of our common stock or debt from consideration by certain investors who may elect to invest with our competition instead. Ongoing focus on corporate responsibility matters by lenders, investors, lawmakers and other parties as described above may impose additional costs or expose us to new risks.
Our insurance policies, including our use of a captive insurance company, may not provide adequate protection against risks, events outside of our control may cause insurers to raise premiums and/or reduce or cancel available coverage, and we may not be able to recover losses under our policies.
We seek protection from a number of our key operational risk exposures by purchasing insurance to cover insurable risks, by requiring our lessees to maintain insurance, and through a captive insurance program. We require our lessees to provide insurance coverage with respect to leased flight equipment, with AerCap (or our relevant affiliate) named as an insured under those policies in the event of a total loss of an aircraft or engine. We also purchase contingent and possessed insurance (“C&P Policy”) which provides us with coverage when our flight equipment is not subject to a lease or where a lessee’s policy fails to indemnify us. We have also adopted a captive insurance program to complement our overall insurance program.
Although we believe that our insurance coverage is consistent with industry practice and available cover from the insurance market, our insurance may not adequately cover certain risks. Our and our lessees’ insurance policies are subject to periodic review by insurers and may not be renewed at all or may be renewed on less favorable terms. Events outside of our control may cause insurers to increase premiums and/or decrease coverage under insurance policies, or even withdraw from the market entirely. For example, the Ukraine Conflict led insurers to reassess their exposure to certain risks and geographical locations and since the start of the Ukraine Conflict, we have experienced a significant increase in the cost of our insurance and a significant reduction in our insurance cover. We expect to continue to experience difficulty in obtaining appropriate policy limits and coverage at a reasonable cost and on reasonable terms. An inability to obtain insurance, significant increases in the cost of insurance we obtain, higher deductibles under our policies or losses in excess of our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we established a Bermuda-domiciled wholly-owned captive insurance company, Aistrigh Limited (“Aistrigh”), to help mitigate significant increases to our insurance costs. As of December 31, 2023, Aistrigh was providing approximately 25% of our hull war insurance, and Aistrigh’s participation in our aviation insurance may increase in future years. Aistrigh may not provide the intended benefits, and our funding of Aistrigh may be insufficient to adequately cover the costs of any insured events. In addition, there is no guarantee that reinsurance will continue to be available to Aistrigh, which would negatively impact our captive insurance coverage.
Even where we have insurance, we may face difficulties in pursuing claims under our policies. War risk insurance policies may be invalidated as a result of events outside of our control, including hostilities between the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Russia and China, or through the use of tactical nuclear devices in active conflicts. Where insurance claims can be made, they may take years to fully settle and we may be in dispute with our insurers about the extent of coverage as we have experienced as a result of the Ukraine Conflict. Pursuing claims may require certain legal, regulatory and other enforcement costs for which we may not be reimbursed. For example, refer to the discussion in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposures of our business—We suffered losses as a result of the Ukraine Conflict for which we have submitted insurance claims, and we may not be able to collect under all policies in a timely manner or at all.”
We suffered losses as a result of the Ukraine Conflict for which we have submitted insurance claims, and we may not be able to collect under all policies in a timely manner or at all.
As a result of the Ukraine Conflict, in addition to reduced revenues and operating cash flows, we suffered losses with respect to our assets that have remained in Russia and Ukraine. We have submitted, and are pursuing, insurance claims in respect of these assets. Please refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details. We intend to continue to vigorously pursue all such insurance claims. However, the collection, timing and amount of any potential recoveries under our C&P Policy and under the respective airlines’ insurance and reinsurance policies are uncertain and we have not recognized any claim receivables as of December 31, 2023.
Risks related to disease, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other world events
Global or regional public health developments, extreme weather or natural disasters or other force majeure events may adversely affect the demand for air travel, the financial condition of our lessees and the aviation industry more broadly, and ultimately our financial condition, results and cash flows.
Our international operations expose us to risks associated with unforeseen global and regional events. Epidemic diseases such as Covid-19, Ebola, measles, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H1N1 (swine flu) and Zika virus could materially and adversely affect the overall amount of air travel. For example, the Covid-19 pandemic caused significant economic disruption and a dramatic reduction in commercial airline traffic, resulting in a broad adverse impact to the aviation industry and our business. These diseases, or the fear of these diseases, could result in government-imposed travel restrictions and reduced passenger demand for travel. The occurrence of severe weather events or natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and volcanic eruptions, may make airlines unable to operate to or from certain regions or impact demand for air travel, and the frequency or severity of these types of events may worsen as a result of climate change. The occurrence or outbreak of any of the above events or other force majeure events could adversely affect commercial airline traffic, reduce demand for flight equipment leases or impair the financial condition of the aviation industry, including our lessees. As a result, our lessees may not be able to satisfy their payment obligations to us. These events may also cause damage to our flight equipment, the extent of losses from which may not be fully covered by insurance. For these and other reasons, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected by the occurrence of such events.
The effects of terrorist attacks, war or armed hostilities may adversely affect the financial condition of the airline industry and our lessees’ ability to meet their lease payment obligations to us.
Terrorist attacks and the threat of terrorist attacks, war or armed hostilities, or the fear of such events, have historically had a negative impact on the aviation industry and could result in:
•higher costs to airlines due to the increased security measures;
•decreased passenger and air cargo demand and revenue;
•the imposition of “no-fly zone” or other restrictions on commercial airline traffic in certain regions;
•uncertainty of the price and availability of jet fuel and the cost and practicability of obtaining fuel hedges;
•higher financing costs and difficulty in raising the desired amount of proceeds on favorable terms, if at all;
•significantly higher premiums or reduced coverage amounts for aviation insurance coverage for future claims caused by acts of war, terrorism, sabotage, hijacking and other similar perils, which may be insufficient to comply with the current requirements of aircraft lenders and lessors or applicable government regulations, or the unavailability or cancellation of certain types of insurance, as generally evidenced by the change in the war insurance market, and by the imposition by insurers of new geographical limits and restrictions on airlines’ policies;
•reliance by aircraft lenders or lessors on government programs for specified types of aviation insurance, which may not be available at the relevant time or under which governments may not pay in a timely fashion;
•inability of airlines to reduce their operating costs and conserve financial resources, taking into account the increased costs incurred as a consequence of such events;
•special charges recognized by some operators, such as those related to the impairment of aircraft and engines and other long-lived assets stemming from the grounding of aircraft as a result of terrorist attacks, economic conditions and airline reorganizations; and
•an airline becoming insolvent and/or ceasing operations.
Such events are likely to cause our lessees to incur higher costs and to generate lower revenues, which could result in a material adverse effect on their financial condition and liquidity, including their ability to make rental and other lease payments to us or to obtain the types and amounts of insurance we require. Such events could also impact the operations of our lessees and could lead to aircraft or fleet groundings (for instance due to cancellation of war insurance cover) or additional lease restructurings and repossessions, increase our cost of re-leasing or selling flight equipment, impair our ability to re-lease or otherwise dispose of flight equipment on favorable terms or at all, or reduce the proceeds we receive for our flight equipment in a disposition.
Risks relating to market demand for, and lease rates and value of, flight equipment in our fleet
We may be unable to generate sufficient returns on our flight equipment investments.
Our results depend on our ability to consistently acquire strategically attractive flight equipment, continually and profitably lease and re-lease them, and finally sell or otherwise dispose of them, in order to generate returns on the investments we have made, provide cash to finance our growth and operations, and service our existing debt. Upon acquiring flight equipment, we may not be able to enter into leases that generate sufficient cash flow to justify the cost of purchase. When our leases expire or our flight equipment is returned prior to the date contemplated in the lease, we bear the risk of re-leasing, selling or parting-out the asset. Because our leases are predominantly operating leases, only a portion of the relevant flight equipment’s value is recovered by the revenues generated from the lease and we may not be able to realize such flight equipment’s residual value after lease expiration. Our ability to profitably purchase, lease, re-lease, sell or otherwise dispose of our aircraft and engines will depend in part on conditions in the airline industry and general market and competitive conditions at the time of purchase, lease and disposition, which are outside of our control.
Our business depends heavily on the level of demand for flight equipment in our fleet, which may decline as a result of changes in market conditions and the overall health of air travel.
Flight equipment are long-lived assets and aircraft demand can change over time as a result of changes in market conditions outside of our control. Customer demand for our assets is primarily driven by long-term trends in passenger air travel and air cargo demand, and is limited by airport and air traffic control infrastructure constraints. Demand is also influenced by changes in economic growth, regulation, customer profitability, fuel prices, the availability of asset financing, pricing and other competitive factors. The imposition of more stringent regulation on air travel, may adversely impact the profitability of air travel and reduce demand for our aircraft and engines. Types of regulation that could impact flight equipment demand include environmental rules, noise or emissions limitations, age constraints, trade and import and export controls, tariffs and other trade barriers. If flight equipment demand declines, lease rates and residual values of assets could be negatively impacted and we may be unable to lease our assets on favorable terms, if at all. Flight equipment values and lease rates have occasionally experienced sharp decreases in response to market conditions or otherwise.
Demand for an aircraft can also be affected by factors unique to that aircraft, including the maintenance and operating history of the airframe and engines, the compatibility of aircraft configurations and specifications with other aircraft owned by operators of that type, the number of operators using the particular type of aircraft, the availability of documentary records for the aircraft and aircraft age. The desirability of an aircraft may also be impacted by factors pertinent to the model of an aircraft, such as the performance and reliability of the specific engine type installed on a particular aircraft model, technical limitations and technical problems associated with an aircraft model or the operating histories of an aircraft model.
In addition, new aircraft types that are introduced to the market could be more attractive for the target lessees of our aircraft, increasing the supply of older aircraft in the marketplace. This may cause the retirement and obsolescence of aircraft models, decrease comparative values of aircraft based on newly competitive aircraft and reduce the availability of spare parts for older aircraft. For instance, Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”), The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) have launched several new technology aircraft types in recent years, including the Boeing 787 Family, the Boeing 737 MAX Family, the Airbus A320neo Family, the Airbus A330neo Family, the Airbus A350 Family, the Airbus A220 Family and the Embraer E-Jet E2 Family. These new technology aircraft types, and potential variants of these types, may reduce the desirability of, and have an adverse effect on residual value and future lease rates of, older aircraft types and variants. Additionally, new manufacturers may develop a narrowbody aircraft that competes with established aircraft types from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, putting downward price pressure on, and decreasing the marketability of, aircraft from these manufacturers. The development of more fuel-efficient engines could make aircraft in our portfolio with engines that are not as fuel-efficient less attractive to potential lessees.
A decrease in demand for our flight equipment as a result of any of these factors could materially and adversely affect lease rates and residual values for our flight equipment, our ability to lease our flight equipment on favorable terms, if at all, and our financial results.
Manufacturer behavior may adversely affect the lease rates and value of aircraft in our fleet or our results of operations more broadly.
The manufacture and supply of commercial aircraft is concentrated among a limited number of manufacturers. Aircraft also have long delivery cycles. We rely, as a result, on these manufacturers responding early and appropriately to changes in the market environment, delivering aircraft that meet our lessees’ expectations and fulfilling contractual obligations they have to us. Failure on the part of manufacturers in relation to any of these requirements may cause us to experience:
•missed or late delivery of aircraft and engines ordered by us and an inability to meet our contractual obligations to our customers, resulting in lost or delayed revenues, lower growth rates and strained customer relationships. For example, the suspension of deliveries of the Boeing 787, production halts and enhanced inspection procedures required in advance of certification and clearance for delivery of Boeing aircraft have led to delays in the delivery of our aircraft on order from Boeing. A recent fuselage quality control issue identified on Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and the resulting FAA limits on expansion of 737 MAX production, is likely to lead to additional delays;
•an inability to acquire aircraft and engines and related components on terms that will allow us to lease those aircraft and engines to customers at a profit, resulting in lower growth rates or a contraction in our aircraft portfolio;
•a market environment with too many aircraft and engines available, creating downward pressure on demand for the aircraft and engines in our fleet and reduced market lease rates and sale prices;
•reduced demand for a manufacturer’s aircraft due to poor customer support or reputational damage to such manufacturer, thereby reducing the demand for those aircraft or engines in our fleet and reduced market lease rates and residual aircraft values for those aircraft and engines;
•a reduction in our competitiveness due to deep discounting by the aircraft or engine manufacturers, which may lead to reduced market lease rates and aircraft values and may affect our ability to remarket for lease or sell at a profit, some of the aircraft in our fleet; and
•technical or other difficulties with aircraft or engines after delivery that subject aircraft to operating restrictions or groundings, reducing value and lease rates of such aircraft and our ability to lease or dispose of such aircraft on favorable terms. Operating restrictions or groundings may also adversely impact our lessees’ business. For example, the recent announcement by Pratt & Whitney that production quality issues will require the removal of its geared turbofan engines for accelerated inspection is expected to lead to an increase in groundings of impacted A320neo Family aircraft, which may negatively impact the financial condition of our lessees and demand for Pratt & Whitney-powered A320neo Family aircraft.
Uncertainty regarding air travel demand may also lead to a reduction in the availability of debt financing for aircraft purchases, which could increase the gap between aircraft production and demand. Any such decrease in aircraft values and lease rates, or increase in the cost or availability of funding, could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
Risks related to the financial strength of, and our relationship with, our lessees
Our financial condition is dependent, in part, on the financial strength of our lessees.
We generate our revenue primarily from leases to airlines, and as a result we are exposed to many of the risks that airlines face. The ability of our lessees to perform their obligations depends primarily on their financial condition and cash flows, which are affected by factors outside our control. In addition to general economic and market conditions, airlines are affected by overall changes in passenger and air cargo demand, the price and availability of jet fuel, labor difficulties and costs, manufacturer production issues, disruptions to operations due to global conflicts, currency exchange rates, the availability of financial or other governmental support and governmental regulation and associated fees, including travel restrictions, restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulations and fly-over restrictions.
Generally, airlines with high financial leverage are more likely than airlines with stronger balance sheets to be affected, and are affected more quickly, by these factors. Such airlines are also more likely to seek operating leases.
A deterioration in the financial condition and cash flows of our lessees, including from the inflationary environment, supply chain issues, grounding of aircraft, higher jet fuel prices and higher interest rates or the impact of epidemic diseases would increase the risk that they will delay, reduce or fail to make rental payments when due. At any point in time, our lessees may be significantly in arrears. Some lessees encountering financial difficulties may seek a reduction in their lease rates or other concessions, such as a deferral of their obligations to make rent or supplemental maintenance rent payments or a decrease in their contribution toward maintenance obligations. Moreover, we may not correctly assess the credit risk of each lessee or charge lease rates that incorrectly reflect related risks. Many of our lessees are not rated investment grade by the principal U.S. rating agencies and may be more likely to suffer liquidity problems than those that are so rated.
Our financial condition, financial results and cash flows may be materially and adversely affected by any events adversely affecting the financial strength of our lessees.
Increases in fuel prices and fuel price volatility could affect our lessees’ ability to meet their lease payment obligations to us.
The cost of fuel represents a major expense to airlines that is not within their control, and significant increases in fuel costs or hedges that inaccurately assess the direction of fuel costs can materially and adversely affect their operating results. Historically, fuel prices have fluctuated widely depending primarily on international market conditions, geopolitical and environmental events and currency exchange rates, including events, such as natural disasters and wars, that affect fuel supply. For example, predominantly as a result of the Ukraine Conflict and resulting sanctions imposed by various governments on Russia, in 2022 oil prices and jet fuel prices rose to their highest levels since 2008.
Due to the competitive nature of the aviation industry, operators may be unable to increase airfares in a manner that fully offsets increases in fuel costs. In addition, they may not be able to enter appropriate hedging positions to manage their exposure to fuel price fluctuations. Airlines that hedge their fuel costs may suffer adverse impacts to their profitability and liquidity from swift movements in fuel prices, if their hedge agreements require them to post cash collateral. Therefore, if for any reason fuel prices return to historically high levels or show significant volatility, our lessees are likely to incur higher costs or generate lower revenues, which may affect their ability to meet their obligations to us.
Instability in the banking system or financial markets could impair our lessees’ ability to finance their operations, which could affect their ability to comply with payment obligations to us.
Adverse changes in the global banking system or the global financial markets may have a material adverse effect on our business. Many of our lessees have expanded their airline operations through borrowings and some are highly leveraged. These lessees depend on banks and the capital markets to provide working capital and to refinance existing indebtedness. Global financial markets can be highly volatile and the availability of credit from financial markets and financial institutions can vary substantially. Events that adversely impact capital markets could lead to the imposition of stricter capital requirements on borrowers, reduce the general availability of credit or otherwise result in higher borrowing costs, limiting our lessees’ abilities to finance their operations, which could affect their ability to meet payment obligations to us.
If our lessees encounter financial difficulties and we restructure or terminate our leases, including as a result of customer reorganizations or bankruptcies, we are likely to obtain less favorable lease terms.
If a lessee delays, reduces, or fails to make rental payments when due, or has advised us that it will do so in the future, we may elect or be required to restructure or terminate the lease. In addition, in recent years, several airlines and other customers, including several of our lessees, have filed for protection under their local bankruptcy and insolvency laws, and certain airlines and other customers have gone into liquidation, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on air travel caused an increase in the number of airlines and other customers filing for such protection. A restructured lease will likely contain terms that are less favorable to us. If we are unable to agree on a restructuring and we terminate the lease, we may not receive all or any payments still outstanding, and we may be unable to re-lease the flight equipment promptly and at favorable rates, if at all. Moreover, airline bankruptcies historically have led to the grounding of significant numbers of aircraft, rejection of leases and negotiated reductions in aircraft lease rentals, with the effect of depressing aircraft market values. As such, further reorganizations would adversely affect our ability to re-lease or sell aircraft at favorable rates, if at all. We have conducted restructurings and terminations in the ordinary course of our business, and we expect more will occur in the future. If we are obligated to perform a significant number of restructurings and terminations, the associated reduction in lease revenue could materially and adversely affect our financial results and cash flows.
If our lessees fail to cooperate in returning our assets following lease terminations, we may encounter obstacles and are likely to incur significant costs and expenses conducting repossessions.
Our legal rights and the relative difficulty of repossession vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction in which our flight equipment is located and the applicable law. We may need to obtain a court order or consents for deregistration or re-export, a process that can differ substantially in different countries. Where a lessee or other operator flies only domestic routes in the jurisdiction in which the asset is registered or in which the lessee operator is based, repossessing and exporting the asset may be challenging, especially if the jurisdiction permits the lessee or the other operator to resist deregistration or export of the asset. For example, due to the Ukraine Conflict and sanctions imposed against Russia, we sought to repossess all of our aircraft and engines from Russian airlines and remove them from Russia, but we have been unable to repossess the vast majority of those assets. Please refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details.
When a defaulting lessee is in bankruptcy, protective administration, insolvency or similar proceedings, additional limitations may apply. For example, certain jurisdictions entitle the lessee or another third-party to retain possession of the flight equipment without paying lease rent or performing all or some of the obligations under the relevant lease. Certain of our lessees are partially or wholly owned by government-related entities, which can complicate our efforts to repossess our aircraft in that government’s jurisdiction. If we encounter any of these difficulties, we may be delayed in, or prevented from, enforcing certain of our rights under a lease and in re-leasing the affected flight equipment.
When conducting a repossession, we are likely to incur significant costs and expenses that are unlikely to be recouped, including, for example, legal and regulatory expenses, taxes, lost revenue, maintenance and refurbishment and repair costs necessary to put the flight equipment in suitable condition for re-lease or sale. We may also make payments to discharge liens placed on our flight equipment by third parties and, until these liens are discharged, be restricted in our ability to repossess, release or sell our flight equipment. Although the financial obligations relating to these liens are the contractual responsibility of our lessees, if they fail to fulfill these obligations, such liens may ultimately become our responsibility and impose additional repossession costs on us. If we incur significant costs in repossessing our flight equipment, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected.
We have limited control over the operation of our flight equipment while it is under lease and depend on our lessees to properly maintain and insure our flight equipment.
While our flight equipment is on lease, we do not directly control its operation. Under our leases, our lessees are primarily responsible for maintaining our assets, obtaining adequate levels of insurance and complying with all governmental requirements applicable to the lessee and the flight equipment, including operational, maintenance, government agency oversight, registration requirements and airworthiness directives. We also require many of our lessees to pay us supplemental maintenance rents. Nevertheless, because we still own and hold title to the flight equipment we could be exposed to costs resulting from a lessee’s failure to properly maintain an asset under lease or be held liable for losses resulting from its operation while under lease. If a lessee fails to perform required maintenance on our asset during the term of the lease, the asset’s market value may decline or we might be required to incur maintenance and modification costs, which would result in lower revenues from its subsequent lease or sale, or the asset might be grounded. Additionally, if our lessees are unable to procure, or fail to maintain, adequate insurance coverage, default in their indemnification or insurance obligations to us, or are exposed to losses for which they do not have coverage, our lessees’ operations may be curtailed or halted, and we could face increased costs from pursuing corrective action or face reductions in, or the absence of, insurance proceeds that would otherwise be payable to us in the case of loss. If our lessees fail to meet their obligations to pay supplemental maintenance rents or end-of-lease (“EOL”) compensation, fail to perform required scheduled maintenance, fail to obtain and maintain insurance coverage for losses to which they are exposed, or if we are required to incur unexpected costs associated with any of the above, our financial results may be materially and adversely affected.
In certain countries, an engine affixed to an aircraft may become an accession to the aircraft and we may not be able to exercise our ownership rights over the engine.
Under some legal principles, an engine affixed to an aircraft may become an accession to the aircraft, whereby the ownership rights of the owner of the airframe supersede those of the owner of the engine. In such cases, where an aircraft is security for the owner’s obligations to a third-party, the security interest in the aircraft may supersede our rights as owner of the engine. As a substantial part of the value of an aircraft derives from its engines, we would suffer a substantial loss if our ability to repossess a leased engine was limited in the event of a lease default, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
Risks related to competition and the aviation industry
Competition and changes in market participants, including lessors, manufacturers and aircraft lessees, may adversely affect our business operations.
The aviation leasing industry is highly competitive. Our competitors are primarily other major aircraft leasing companies, but we may also encounter competition from emerging aircraft leasing companies that we do not currently consider our main competitors. We may also face competition from other market participants, such as airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft brokers, financial institutions (including those seeking to dispose of repossessed aircraft at distressed prices) and other entities that invest in aircraft and engines. Some of these competitors may have greater operating and financial resources than we do and we may not always be able to compete successfully, which could materially and adversely affect our financial results.
Over the past several years, market participants in the aviation industry have changed as a result of restructuring or bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions, entities entering or exiting the industry or entities entering into new or different market segments. We expect similar transitions to continue to take place into the future. Changes in market participants may affect our business by, for instance, reducing competition amongst manufacturers, changing the offering of aircraft types and models in the market, reducing demand for our aircraft from lessees or increasing the competition we face for new lessees or favorable terms on our transactions. New aircraft manufacturers, such as JSC United Aircraft Corporation in Russia and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. in China, could produce aircraft that compete with current offerings from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer. These changes may materially affect our business.
The financial instability of, or manufacturing delays suffered by, an aircraft or engine manufacturer could impact delivery of our aircraft and engines on order and negatively affect our cash flow and results of operations.
The supply of commercial aircraft is dominated by Airbus and Boeing and there are a limited number of engine manufacturers. There is a risk that disruptions, including supply chain issues, manufacturing and quality control issues, and any financial instability, at any of these manufacturers could harm our business, as our ability to deliver new aircraft and engines to our lessees depends on these manufacturers timely fulfilling their contractual delivery obligations to us. For additional detail, please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks relating to market demand for, and lease rates and value of, flight equipment in our fleet—Manufacturer behavior may adversely affect the lease rates and value of aircraft in our fleet or our results of operations more broadly.” Our leases contain lessee cancellation clauses related to aircraft delivery delays, typically for new aircraft delivery delays greater than one year, and our purchase agreements contain similar provisions. If there are manufacturing delays for new aircraft for which we have made future lease commitments, some or all of our affected lessees could elect to terminate their lease arrangements with respect to such delayed aircraft. Any such termination could negatively affect our cash flow and results of operations. For example, the “Big Twin” freighter program between AerCap Cargo and Israel Aerospace Industries, which involves the conversion of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft into long-haul large-capacity freighters, may encounter delivery delays due to delays in achieving regulator certification.
Further, we may experience additional delivery delays and associated costs if aircraft manufacturers encounter quality issues that delay the manufacture of new aircraft or those aircraft fail to meet the contractual requirements or the requirements of air travel regulators. For example, the suspension of deliveries of the Boeing 787, production halts and enhanced inspection procedures required in advance of certification and clearance for delivery of Boeing aircraft have led to delays in the delivery of our aircraft on order from Boeing. A recent fuselage quality control issue identified on Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and the resulting FAA limits on expansion of 737 MAX production, is likely to lead to additional delays. Delivery delays can materially affect our revenues, results of operations, net income and operating cash flows. Refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks relating to market demand for, and lease rates and value of, flight equipment in our fleet—Manufacturer behavior may adversely affect the lease rates and value of aircraft in our fleet or our results of operations more broadly.”
Risks related to accounting and impairments
If a decline in demand for certain assets causes a decline in its projected lease rates and residual values, or if we expect to dispose of an asset for a price that is less than its depreciated book value on our balance sheet, then we will recognize impairments or make fair value adjustments.
We test long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the asset value (including the lease-related assets and liabilities of that asset, such as the maintenance rights assets, lease incentives, and maintenance liabilities), an impairment loss is recognized. The loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. Factors that may contribute to impairment charges include, but are not limited to, unfavorable airline industry trends affecting the residual values of certain flight equipment types, high fuel prices and development of more fuel-efficient aircraft shortening the useful lives of certain aircraft, management’s expectations that certain flight equipment is more likely than not to be parted-out or otherwise disposed of sooner than their expected life, and new technological developments. Cash flows supporting carrying values of older flight equipment are more dependent upon current lease contracts. In addition, we believe that residual values of older flight equipment are more exposed to non-recoverable declines in value in the current economic environment.
If economic conditions deteriorate, we may be required to recognize impairment losses. In that event, our estimates and assumptions regarding forecasted cash flows from our long-lived assets would need to be reassessed, including the duration of the economic downturn and the timing and strength of the pending recovery, both of which are important variables for purposes of our long-lived asset impairment tests. Any of our assumptions may prove to be inaccurate, which could adversely impact forecasted cash flows of certain long-lived assets, especially for older aircraft. If so, it is possible that there may be an event-driven impairment for other long-lived assets in the future and that any such impairment amounts may be material.
As of December 31, 2023, 375 of our owned passenger aircraft under operating leases were 15 years of age or older. These aircraft represented 7% of our total flight equipment and lease-related assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023. Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Critical accounting estimates—Flight equipment held for operating leases, net” for a detailed description of our impairment policy.
Risks related to information technology
A cybersecurity incident, including a ransomware attack, could lead to a material disruption of our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers, the loss of business information or losses attributable to fraud, which may hinder our ability to conduct our business effectively or result in lost revenues or other costs.
Our business depends on the secure operation of our information systems and the information systems of our third-party providers to manage, process, store and transmit information associated with aviation leasing. Like other global companies, we have, from time to time, experienced cybersecurity threats to our data and information systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, internet network scans, systems failures and disruptions.
As previously disclosed on January 22, 2024, the Company experienced a cybersecurity incident related to ransomware in January 2024. We promptly took steps to contain, assess and remediate the incident with the support of third-party cybersecurity experts. In addition, we notified law enforcement and appropriate regulatory authorities. There was no material disruption to the Company’s operations.
Our investigation into this incident, which has been and continues to be supported by third-party cybersecurity forensic review experts, has determined that on January 13, 2024, the perpetrator exploited a vulnerability in third-party software to obtain access to data hosted on a small number of the Company’s IT servers. During the period from January 13, 2024 to January 17, 2024 the perpetrator attempted to gain broader access to the Company’s information systems, and also attempted to encrypt the Company’s data through the use of ransomware. All evidence to date indicates these attempts failed as a result of the successful operation of the Company’s cybersecurity safeguards. We became aware of the cybersecurity incident on January 17, 2024 and immediately deployed business continuity and cybersecurity measures, which we believe excluded the perpetrator from our systems by the following day and eliminated the identified vulnerability.
Our investigation has determined that the perpetrator did not gain access to our key document management systems, our treasury or payment systems, or other information systems which are key to internal controls over financial reporting. However, the perpetrator did exfiltrate certain data of the Company, representing less than 0.5% of the Company’s overall data by volume. Our review of the exfiltrated data remains ongoing. To date, we have suffered no financial loss related to this incident. However, the Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, expenses related to this attack. Further, the Company remains subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the incident, including related to potential exposure or exploitation of the data that was exfiltrated as noted above.
A cybersecurity incident, including a ransomware attack such as the one that occurred in January 2024, that bypasses our information security systems or the information security systems of our third-party providers, and causes an information security breach could lead to a material disruption of our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers, as applicable, and adversely impact our daily operations and cause the loss of sensitive information, including our own proprietary information and that of our customers, suppliers and employees. In addition, a cybersecurity incident at a third-party provider, lessee or other business counterparty could result in fraudulent activity that causes costs or other losses to us. Any such losses could harm our reputation or result in competitive disadvantages, litigation, regulatory enforcement actions, lost revenues, additional costs or liability. While we devote substantial resources to maintaining adequate levels of cybersecurity and other related controls, our resources and technical sophistication cannot prevent all cybersecurity incidents.
We could suffer material damage to, or interruptions in, our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers as a result of external factors, staffing shortages or difficulties in updating our existing software or developing or implementing new software.
We depend largely upon our information systems and the information systems of our third-party providers in the conduct of all aspects of our operations. Such information systems are subject to damage or interruption from events such as power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, enhanced cybersecurity threats arising from the use of artificial intelligence by bad actors, fire and natural disasters. Damage or interruption to these information systems may require a significant investment to fix or replace them, and we may suffer interruptions in our operations in the interim. In addition, we are currently pursuing a number of information systems-related projects that will require ongoing information systems-related development, conversion of existing information systems and the rollout of new information systems. Costs and potential problems or interruptions associated with the implementation of new or upgraded information systems and technology or with maintenance or support of existing information systems could also disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our operations. Any material interruptions or failures in our information systems may have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
Risks related to our structure and taxation
We are a public limited liability company incorporated in the Netherlands (“naamloze vennootschap” or “N.V.”) and it may be difficult to obtain or enforce judgments against us or our executive officers, some of our directors and some of our named experts in the United States.
We were incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands and, as such, the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and the civil liability of our directors are governed by the laws of the Netherlands and our articles of association. The rights of shareholders under the laws of the Netherlands may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in other jurisdictions. Many of our directors and executive officers and most of our assets and the assets of many of our directors are located outside the United States. In addition, our articles of association do not provide for U.S. courts as a venue for, or for the application of U.S. law to, lawsuits against us, our directors and executive officers. As a result, you may not be able to serve process on us or on such persons in the United States or obtain or enforce judgments from U.S. courts against us or them based on the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to whether the Dutch courts would enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions and enforce claims for punitive damages.
Under our articles of association, we indemnify and hold our directors, officers and employees harmless against all claims and suits brought against them, subject to limited exceptions. Under our articles of association, to the extent allowed by law, the rights and obligations among or between us, any of our current or former directors, officers and employees and any current or former shareholder shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the Netherlands and subject to the jurisdiction of the Dutch courts, unless such rights or obligations do not relate to or arise out of their capacities listed above. Although there is doubt as to whether U.S. courts would enforce such provision in an action brought in the United States under U.S. securities laws, such provision could make judgments obtained outside of the Netherlands more difficult to enforce against our assets in the Netherlands or jurisdictions that would apply Dutch law.
We may become a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We do not believe we will be classified as a PFIC for 2023. Although there can be no assurance, we do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for 2024 or subsequent years. This expectation is based on our current operations and current law. The determination as to whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a complex determination based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances and depends on the classification of various assets and income under the PFIC rules. Further, this determination must be tested annually at the end of the taxable year and, while we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC, our circumstances may change in any given year. We do not intend to make decisions regarding the purchase and sale of aircraft with the specific purpose of reducing the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC. Accordingly, our business plan may result in our engaging in activities that could cause us to become a PFIC. There can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. If we are or become a PFIC, U.S. shareholders may be subject to increased U.S. federal income taxes on a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares and on the receipt of certain distributions and will be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax reporting requirements. Refer to “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—U.S. tax considerations” for a more detailed discussion of the consequences to you if we are treated as a PFIC and a discussion of certain elections that may be available to mitigate the effects of that treatment. We urge you to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your particular circumstances.
We may become subject to income or other taxes in jurisdictions which would adversely affect our financial results.
We and our subsidiaries are subject to the income tax laws of Ireland, the United States and other jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are incorporated or based. Our effective tax rate in any period is impacted by the source and the amount of earnings among our different tax jurisdictions. Our ability to defer the payment of some level of income taxes to future periods is dependent upon the continued benefit of accelerated tax depreciation on our flight equipment in some jurisdictions, the continued deductibility of external and intercompany financing arrangements and the application of tax losses prior to their expiration in certain tax jurisdictions, among other factors. A change in the division of our earnings among our tax jurisdictions could have a material impact on our effective tax rate and our financial results. In addition, we or our subsidiaries may be subject to additional income or other taxes in these and other jurisdictions by reason of the management and control of our subsidiaries, our activities and operations, where our aircraft operate, where the lessees of our aircraft (or others in possession of our aircraft) are located or changes in tax laws or practices, regulations or accounting principles. Although we have adopted guidelines and operating procedures to ensure our subsidiaries are appropriately managed and controlled, we may be subject to such taxes in the future and such taxes may be substantial. The imposition of such taxes could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (“OECD”) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) initiative.
In 2019, the OECD announced an initiative to create an international consensus on new rules (referred to as “BEPS 2.0”) for the framework governing international taxation, which was supported by the publication of the Pillar One and Pillar Two Blueprint Reports in 2020. In 2021, the European Commission published an EU Directive (the “EU Minimum Tax Directive”) to incorporate the Pillar Two minimum tax rate rules into EU law. Ireland has enacted the EU Minimum Tax Directive into domestic legislation and the implementation of these rules may impact the results of our operations in Ireland and certain other jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are based. The introduction of the EU Minimum Tax Directive means the group must be taxed at a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. In Ireland, the EU Minimum Tax Directive has been implemented by means of a new top-up tax to achieve an effective rate of 15% that will become effective in 2024. Further guidance is expected from the OECD or the Irish tax authority as to how certain aspects of Pillar Two will operate. Any future guidance or directives issued by the OECD or the Irish tax authority could alter the operation of this tax and any such changes to how this tax operates could have an adverse impact on our effective tax rate and cash tax liabilities in future periods.
We may become subject to additional taxes in Ireland based on the extent of our operations carried on in Ireland.
Our Irish tax resident group companies are currently subject to Irish corporate income tax on trading income at a rate of 12.5%, on capital gains at 33% and on other income at 25%. Where the 12.5% rate applies to our income, we expect to incur additional top-up tax charges following the EU Directive being transposed into Irish law, which seeks to ensure that companies are taxed at a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. As of December 31, 2023, we had significant Irish tax losses available to carry forward against our trading income. The ability to carry forward Irish tax losses to offset future taxable trading income and to avail of the 12.5% rate depends in part on the extent and nature of activities carried on in Ireland, both in the past and in the future. In the past, the Irish Revenue Commissioners (“Irish Revenue”) issued certain confirmations regarding the application of the 12.5% tax rate to the activities, such as leasing and financing, undertaken by Irish lessors. Irish Revenue has advised that these confirmations will no longer apply with effect from January 1, 2024. Instead, certain aspects of the Irish leasing regime have been codified into law in Finance Act (No.2) 2023 and Irish Revenue is expected to release new guidance in early 2024 regarding the tax treatment of leasing companies. The combination of the revised law and final guidance (when available) could impose a higher threshold on the Irish lessors within our group when evidencing that they have sufficient activity to avail of the 12.5% rate on their leasing and financing activity.
The EU Anti-tax Avoidance proposals may impact our effective rate of tax in future periods.
Irish tax law will be subject to changes as a result of the implementation of the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (“EU ATAD”) and the amending Directive (“EU ATAD 2”).
In 2021, the European Commission issued a proposal for a council directive to establish rules to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes within the EU (“EU ATAD 3”) and has since issued a number of draft amendments to this directive. While EU ATAD 3 was initially expected to be adopted and published into EU member states’ national laws by June 30, 2023, and become effective as of January 1, 2024, it has not yet become effective and there is considerable uncertainty surrounding the development of the proposal and its implementation. One of the proposed amendments has been to delay the application of EU ATAD 3 to January 1, 2025. EU ATAD 3 could result in additional reporting and disclosure obligations.
The U.S. Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (“CAMT”) may impact our effective tax rate in future periods.
In 2022, the United States enacted the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax on adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”). For a corporation that is a member of a foreign-parented multi-national group, the CAMT applies where (i) the three-year average annual AFSI from all members of the foreign-parented multi-national group exceeds $1 billion, and (ii) the three-year average annual AFSI from the group’s U.S. corporation(s) is $100 million or more. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance on the application and calculation of the CAMT, but significant additional guidance is expected to be released in future regulations to be promulgated by the U.S. Treasury. As such, the CAMT’s impact on our effective tax rate for 2023 currently remains uncertain.
We may fail to qualify for benefits under one or more tax treaties.
We do not expect that our subsidiaries located outside of the United States will have any material U.S. federal income tax liability by reason of activities we carry out in the United States and the leasing of assets to lessees that operate in the United States. This conclusion will depend, in part, on continued qualification for the benefits of income tax treaties between the United States and other countries in which we are subject to tax (particularly Ireland). That qualification may depend on, among other factors, the nature and level of activities carried on by us and our subsidiaries in each jurisdiction, the identity of the owners of equity interests in subsidiaries that are not wholly owned and the identities of the direct and indirect owners of our indebtedness.
The nature of our activities may be such that our subsidiaries may not continue to qualify for the benefits under income tax treaties with the United States and may not otherwise qualify for treaty benefits. Failure to so qualify could result in the imposition of U.S. federal and state taxes, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Item 4. Information on the Company
Business overview
Global leader in aviation leasing
AerCap Holdings N.V. (together with its subsidiaries, “AerCap,” “we,” “us,” or the “Company”) is the industry leader across all areas of aviation leasing, with a portfolio consisting of 3,452 aircraft, engines and helicopters that were owned, on order or managed as of December 31, 2023. We provide a wide range of assets for lease, including narrowbody and widebody aircraft, regional jets, freighters, engines and helicopters. We focus on acquiring in-demand flight equipment at attractive prices, funding them efficiently, hedging interest rate risk prudently and using our platform to deploy these assets with the objective of delivering superior risk-adjusted returns. We believe that by applying our expertise, we will be able to identify and execute on a broad range of market opportunities that we expect will generate attractive returns for our investors. We have the infrastructure, expertise and resources to execute a large number of diverse transactions in a variety of market conditions. Our teams of dedicated marketing and asset trading professionals have been successful in leasing and managing our asset portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we executed 953 aviation asset transactions.
We have an extensive track record of successfully acquiring and integrating companies, including the acquisition of Genesis Lease in 2010, the acquisition of International Lease Finance Corporation (“ILFC”) in 2014 and the acquisition of GE Capital Aviation Services (“GECAS”) in 2021. The acquisitions of ILFC (the “ILFC Transaction”) and GECAS (the “GECAS Transaction”) are the two largest transactions in the history of aviation leasing. We believe that our ability to successfully identify, acquire and integrate companies is a key competitive advantage.
Aircraft leasing
AerCap is the global leader in aircraft leasing, with customers in every major geographical region. As of December 31, 2023, we owned 1,556 aircraft, managed 184 aircraft and had 338 new aircraft on order. As of December 31, 2023, the average age of our owned aircraft fleet, weighted by net book value, was 7.3 years. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted average utilization rate for our owned aircraft was 98%, calculated based on the number of days each aircraft was on lease during the year, weighted by the net book value of the aircraft. Approximately 1% of our owned aircraft were undergoing or designated for cargo conversion during the year ended December 31, 2023 and were therefore not calculated as utilized.
AerCap Cargo is a global leader in the air cargo market, with more than 30 years’ experience and a global fleet of over 120 aircraft that are owned, serviced or committed for conversion. AerCap Cargo provides ten types of modern narrowbody and widebody cargo aircraft to 17 customers around the world, including e-commerce, express delivery and general cargo operators. AerCap Cargo also plays a developmental role in the provision of new cargo options, including the “Big Twin” freighter program between AerCap Cargo and Israel Aerospace Industries, which involves the conversion of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft into long-haul large-capacity freighters. AerCap Cargo was also involved in the development of the Boeing 767-300BDSF and the launch of Boeing’s 737BCF freighter conversion program and, more recently, the A321 freighter conversion programs with EFW and ST Aerospace. AerCap Cargo’s largest customers are Amazon and Maersk.
Engine leasing
AerCap is the world’s largest lessor of spare engines, with approximately 1,000 engines, including engines owned and managed by Shannon Engine Support Ltd (“SES”), our joint venture with Safran Aircraft Engines (“Safran”), and over 80 customers. Our spare engine portfolio is predominantly comprised of new technology engines manufactured by General Electric (“GE”) and CFM International (“CFMI”), the most liquid engine types that power the world’s most popular and in-demand aircraft, including Airbus A320 and A320neo Family aircraft and Boeing 737, Boeing 787, and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
We have longstanding relationships and contractual commitments with the two biggest manufacturers of commercial aviation engines, GE and CFMI, including financing and managing their spare engine portfolios. The two largest customers of our engine leasing businesses are GE and CFMI. AerCap, GE and Safran agreed to continue these relationships following completion of the GECAS Transaction.
Helicopter leasing
The Milestone Aviation Group (“Milestone”) is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company with 321 helicopters owned or on order as of December 31, 2023. Milestone partners with helicopter operators and end-users worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase and leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory services. Milestone supports 50 customers in approximately 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, offshore wind, search and rescue (“SAR”), emergency medical services, police surveillance and other utility missions. Milestone’s largest customers are CHC Helicopters, Saudi Aramco, Bristow Helicopters, and Avincis.
AerCap Materials
AerCap Materials Inc. (“AerCap Materials”) is a global distributor of airframe and engine components for leading commercial aircraft and engine manufacturers. Since its founding as the Memphis Group in 1971, it has provided quality products and services ranging from spare airframe and engine component distribution, component and asset leasing, consignment services and asset repair management. AerCap Materials has its own dismantlement facility located in Greenwood, Mississippi. AerCap Materials has a large inventory of aircraft parts to support mid-life and new-generation aircraft and provides ready access to support various aircraft types, including Boeing 737NG, Boeing 777, Airbus A320/A320neo Family and Embraer aircraft.
Aviation leases and transactions
We lease most of our flight equipment to customers under operating leases. Under these leases, the lessee is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the equipment during the lease term and we receive the benefit, and assume the risks, of the residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease. Many operators lease flight equipment under operating leases, as this reduces their capital requirements and costs and affords them flexibility to manage their fleets more efficiently as flight equipment assets are returned over time. Since the 1970s and the creation of aircraft leasing pioneers Guinness Peat Aviation (“GPA”) and ILFC, the world’s airlines have increasingly turned to operating leases to meet their aircraft needs. We serve approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. Our relationships with these customers help us place new flight equipment and remarket existing flight equipment.
Over the life of our flight equipment, we seek to increase the returns on our investments by managing the lease rates, time off-lease and financing and maintenance costs, and by carefully timing the sale of our flight equipment assets. Our current operating leases have initial terms ranging in length up to approximately 16 years. By varying our lease terms, we mitigate the effects of changes in cyclical market conditions at the time aircraft become eligible for re-lease.
Well in advance of the expiration of an operating lease, we prioritize entering into a lease extension with the then-current operator. This reduces our risk of aircraft downtime as well as aircraft transition costs. The terms of our lease extensions reflect the market conditions at the time and typically contain different terms from the original lease. Should a lessee not be interested in extending a lease, or if we believe we can obtain a more favorable return on the aircraft, we will explore other options, including the sale of the asset. If we enter into a lease agreement for the same asset with a different lessee, we generally do so well in advance of the scheduled return date of the asset. When the asset is returned, maintenance work may be required before transition to the next lessee.
Our extensive experience, global reach and operating capabilities allow us to rapidly complete numerous aviation transactions, which enables us to increase the returns on our flight equipment investments by minimizing any time that our assets are not generating revenue for us.
The following table provides details regarding the aircraft, engine and helicopter transactions we executed during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The trends shown in the table reflect the execution of the various elements of our leasing strategy for our owned and managed portfolio, as described further below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 (a) | | Total |
Owned portfolio | | | | | | | |
New leases on new assets | 202 | | | 100 | | | 45 | | | 347 | |
New leases on used assets | 113 | | | 170 | | | 107 | | | 390 | |
Extensions of lease contracts | 243 | | | 256 | | | 131 | | | 630 | |
New asset purchases | 173 | | | 109 | | | 58 | | | 340 | |
Asset sales | 167 | | | 165 | | | 56 | | | 388 | |
Managed portfolio | | | | | | | |
New leases on new assets | — | | | 4 | | | — | | | 4 | |
New leases on used assets | 13 | | | 17 | | | 14 | | | 44 | |
Extensions of lease contracts | 21 | | | 23 | | | 14 | | | 58 | |
New asset purchases | — | | | 9 | | | 7 | | | 16 | |
Asset sales | 21 | | | 42 | | | 6 | | | 69 | |
Total transactions | 953 | | | 895 | | | 438 | | | 2,286 | |
(a) Does not include GECAS transactions executed prior to November 1, 2021 (the “Closing Date”).
We perform a review of all of our prospective lessees, which generally includes reviewing financial statements, business plans, cash flow projections, maintenance capabilities, operational performance histories, hedging arrangements for fuel, foreign currency and interest rates and relevant regulatory approvals and documentation. We perform on-site credit reviews for new lessees, which typically include extensive discussions with the prospective lessee’s management before we enter into a new lease. We also evaluate the jurisdiction in which the lessee operates to ensure we are in compliance with any regulations and evaluate our ability to repossess our assets in the event of a lessee default. Depending on the credit quality and financial condition of the lessee, we may require the lessee to obtain guarantees or other financial support from an acceptable financial institution or other third party.
We typically require our lessees to provide a security deposit for their performance under a lease, including the return of the leased asset in the specified maintenance condition at the expiration of the lease.
All of our lessees are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the leased flight equipment as well as other operating costs during the lease term. Based on the credit quality of the lessee, we require some of our lessees to pay supplemental maintenance rents to cover major scheduled maintenance costs. If a lessee pays supplemental maintenance rents, we reimburse them for their maintenance events (as defined in the lease) up to the amount of their supplemental maintenance rent payments. Under the terms of our leases, at lease expiration, we retain excess maintenance rents to the extent that a lessee has paid us more supplemental maintenance rents than we have reimbursed them for their maintenance events. In most lease contracts that do not require the payment of supplemental maintenance rents, the lessee is generally required to redeliver the leased asset in a similar maintenance condition (normal wear and tear excepted) as when accepted under the lease. To the extent that the redelivery condition is different from the acceptance condition, we generally receive cash compensation for the value difference at the time of redelivery. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 33% and 31%, respectively, of our owned aircraft leases provided for supplemental maintenance rental payments.
We require the lessee to compensate us if the aircraft is not in the required condition upon redelivery. All of our leases contain provisions regarding our remedies and rights in the event of default by the lessee, and also include specific provisions regarding the required condition of the leased asset upon its redelivery.
Our lessees are also responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing the leased asset and all related costs. We require our lessees to comply with either the FAA, EASA or their equivalent standards in other jurisdictions.
During the term of our leases, some of our lessees may experience financial difficulties resulting in the need to restructure their leases. Generally, our restructurings can involve a number of possible changes to the lease terms, including the voluntary termination of leases prior to their scheduled expiration, the arrangement of subleases from the primary lessee to a sublessee, the rescheduling of lease payments and the exchange of lease payments for other consideration. In some cases, we may repossess a leased asset and, in those cases, we usually export the leased asset from the lessee’s jurisdiction to prepare it for remarketing. In the majority of repossessions, we obtain the lessee’s cooperation and the return and export of the leased asset are completed without significant delay. In some repossessions, however, our lessees may not cooperate in returning leased assets and we may be required to take legal action. In connection with the repossession of an asset, we may be required to settle claims on such asset or to which the lessee is subject, including outstanding liens on the repossessed asset. Refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the financial strength of, and our relationship with, our lessees—If our lessees fail to cooperate in returning our assets following lease terminations, we may encounter obstacles and are likely to incur significant costs and expenses conducting repossessions” for a discussion of how repossessions may affect our financial results.
Scheduled lease expirations
The following table presents the scheduled lease expirations for our owned aircraft under operating leases by aircraft type as of December 31, 2023. The table does not give effect to contracted unexercised lease extension options, aircraft on finance leases, lease extensions or re-leases that are subject to a letter of intent, aircraft sales that have been contracted or are subject to a letter of intent, or designations of a certain aircraft for sale or disassembly of an aircraft for the sale of its parts (“part-out”).
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Aircraft type | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | 2029 | | 2030 | | 2031 | | 2032 | | 2033 | | Thereafter | | | | Total |
Passenger Aircraft | | 65 | | | 130 | | | 169 | | | 184 | | | 113 | | | 86 | | | 87 | | | 104 | | | 99 | | | 88 | | | 226 | | | | | 1,351 | |
Airbus A220 Family | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9 | | | | | 9 | |
Airbus A320 Family | | 31 | | | 67 | | | 78 | | | 99 | | | 54 | | | 25 | | | 5 | | | 10 | | | 4 | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | 375 | |
Airbus A320neo Family | | — | | | 5 | | | 6 | | | 7 | | | 9 | | | 25 | | | 40 | | | 48 | | | 62 | | | 47 | | | 135 | | | | | 384 | |
Airbus A330 | | 1 | | | 14 | | | 12 | | | 9 | | | 5 | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | — | | | | | 46 | |
Airbus A330neo Family | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | | | | | 4 | |
Airbus A350 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | 7 | | | 6 | | | 6 | | | 9 | | | — | | | 5 | | | 7 | | | | | 41 | |
Boeing 737 MAX | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | 2 | | | — | | | 16 | | | 28 | | | | | 51 | |
Boeing 737NG | | 19 | | | 30 | | | 57 | | | 45 | | | 16 | | | 3 | | | 15 | | | 13 | | | 13 | | | 6 | | | 8 | | | | | 225 | |
Boeing 777-200ER | | — | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | 3 | |
Boeing 777-300ER | | 1 | | | 7 | | | 4 | | | 5 | | | 4 | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6 | | | 10 | | | | | 42 | |
Boeing 787 | | 1 | | | 4 | | | 2 | | | 6 | | | 10 | | | 15 | | | 13 | | | 17 | | | 12 | | | 7 | | | 18 | | | | | 105 | |
Embraer E190/E195/E2 | | 8 | | | — | | | 2 | | | 4 | | | 5 | | | 4 | | | — | | | 3 | | | 6 | | | — | | | 5 | | | | | 37 | |
Other | | 4 | | | 3 | | | 5 | | | 8 | | | 3 | | | 3 | | | — | | | 2 | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | | | 29 | |
Freighter Aircraft | | 2 | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | 3 | | | 8 | | | 5 | | | 17 | | | 2 | | | 8 | | | 7 | | | 5 | | | | | 59 | |
Airbus A321 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | | | 1 | |
Boeing 737 | | 2 | | | 1 | | | — | | | 2 | | | 3 | | | 5 | | | 17 | | | 1 | | | 8 | | | 6 | | | 5 | | | | | 50 | |
Boeing 747 / 767 / 777 | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | 8 | |
Total (a) (b) | | 67 | | | 131 | | | 170 | | | 187 | | | 121 | | | 91 | | | 104 | | | 106 | | | 107 | | | 95 | | | 231 | | | | | 1,410 | |
(a)As of December 31, 2023, scheduled lease expirations through the end of 2025 represented less than 7% of the aggregate net book value of our fleet. As of February 20, 2024, 40 of the 67 aircraft with leases expiring in 2024 have been re-leased, have had leases extended, have been designated for sale or part-out or sold.
(b)Includes 15 aircraft that were off-lease and under commitment for re-lease as of December 31, 2023.
Principal markets and customers
The following table presents the percentage of lease revenue of our owned portfolio from our top five lessees for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
Lessee | | Percentage of 2023 lease revenue |
American Airlines | | 6.6 | % |
China Southern Airlines | | 4.5 | % |
Azul Airlines | | 3.8 | % |
Hainan Airlines | | 2.7 | % |
Ethiopian Airlines | | 2.6 | % |
Total | | 20.2 | % |
We lease our aircraft to lessees located in every major geographical region. The following table presents the percentage of our total lease revenue by region based on our lessee’s principal place of business for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
Region | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Asia/Pacific/Russia (a) | | 34 | % | | 33 | % | | 36 | % |
Europe | | 23 | % | | 24 | % | | 26 | % |
United States/Canada/Caribbean | | 19 | % | | 20 | % | | 16 | % |
Latin America | | 12 | % | | 12 | % | | 12 | % |
Africa/Middle East | | 12 | % | | 11 | % | | 10 | % |
Total | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
(a) Total lease revenue related to Russia was recognized until the leasing of our aircraft and engines with Russian airlines was terminated in 2022. Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
For further geographic information on our total lease revenue and long-lived assets, refer to Note 21—Geographic information to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Aircraft and engine services
We provide aircraft and engine asset management and corporate services to securitization vehicles, joint ventures and other third parties. As of December 31, 2023, we had asset management servicing contracts with 21 parties that owned 184 aircraft and 186 engines. Since we have an established operating system to manage our own aircraft and engines, the incremental cost of providing asset management services to securitization vehicles, joint ventures and third parties is limited. Our primary aircraft and engine asset management activities include:
•remarketing aircraft and engines for lease or sale;
•collecting rental and supplemental maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines;
•conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews;
•periodically inspecting the leased aircraft and engines;
•coordinating technical modifications to aircraft to meet new lessee requirements;
•conducting restructuring negotiations in connection with lease defaults;
•repossessing aircraft and engines;
•arranging and monitoring insurance coverage;
•registering and de-registering aircraft;
•arranging for aircraft and engine valuations; and
•providing market research.
We charge fees for our aircraft and engine management services based on a mixture of fixed and rental-based amounts, and we also receive performance-based fees related to the managed aircraft or engine lease revenues or sale proceeds.
We also provide corporate administrative and cash management services to securitization vehicles and joint ventures. We currently have corporate administration and/or cash management service contracts with eight parties. Our corporate administrative services consist primarily of accounting and corporate secretarial services, including the preparation of budgets and financial statements. Cash management services consist primarily of treasury services such as the financing, refinancing, hedging and ongoing cash management of these companies.
Aviation parts and supply chain
Through AerCap Materials, we provide airframe and engine parts and supply chain solutions and we disassemble aircraft and engines into parts. AerCap Materials sells airframe parts to airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul service providers, and aircraft parts distributors.
Our business strategy
We develop and grow our aviation leasing business by executing on our focused business strategy, the key components of which are as follows:
Manage the profitability of our flight equipment portfolio
Our ability to profitably manage flight equipment throughout its lifecycle depends, in part, on our ability to successfully source acquisition opportunities of new and used flight equipment at favorable terms, as well as our ability to secure long-term funding for such acquisitions, lease flight equipment at profitable rates, minimize downtime between leases and associated maintenance expenses and opportunistically sell aircraft. We manage the long-term profitability of our flight equipment portfolio by:
•purchasing flight equipment directly from manufacturers;
•entering into purchase and leaseback transactions with airlines;
•using our global customer relationships to obtain favorable lease terms for flight equipment and maximizing utilization;
•maintaining diverse sources of global funding;
•optimizing our portfolio by selling flight equipment; and
•providing management services to securitization vehicles, our joint ventures and other aircraft owners at limited incremental cost to us.
Efficiently manage our liquidity
We analyze sources of financing based on pricing and other terms and conditions in order to optimize the return on our investments. We have the ability to access a broad range of liquidity sources globally. In 2023, we arranged $13.3 billion of financing, consisting primarily of notes issuances in the capital markets, bank debt and revolving credit facilities.
We have access to liquidity in the form of our revolving credit facilities and our term loan facilities, which provide us with flexibility in raising capital and enable us to deploy capital rapidly to accretive aircraft purchase opportunities that may arise. As of December 31, 2023, we had $11.0 billion of undrawn lines of credit available under our revolving credit and term loan facilities and $1.6 billion of unrestricted cash. We strive to maintain a diverse financing strategy, both in terms of capital providers and structure, through the use of bank debt, note issuance and export credit, including ECA-guaranteed loans, in order to maximize our financial flexibility. We also leverage our longstanding relationships with major aircraft financiers and lenders to secure access to capital. In addition, we attempt to maximize our operating cash flows and continue to pursue the sale of flight equipment to generate additional cash flows. Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of our outstanding indebtedness.
Manage our flight equipment portfolio
We intend to maintain an attractive portfolio of in-demand flight equipment by acquiring new flight equipment directly from manufacturers, executing purchase and leaseback transactions with airlines, assisting airlines with refleetings and pursuing other opportunistic transactions. We rely on our experienced team of portfolio management professionals to identify and purchase assets we believe are being offered at attractive prices or that we believe will experience an increase in demand over a prolonged period of time. In addition, we intend to continue to rebalance our portfolio through sales to maintain the appropriate mix of flight equipment by customer concentration, asset, age and type.
Maintain a diversified customer base
We operate our business on a global basis, leasing flight equipment to customers in every major geographical region. We have active relationships with approximately 300 customers around the world. These customer relationships are either with existing customers or airlines with which we maintain regular dialogue in relation to potential transaction opportunities. Our relationships with these airlines help us place new flight equipment and remarket existing flight equipment. We monitor our lessee exposure concentrations by both customer and country jurisdiction and intend to maintain a well-diversified customer base. We believe we offer a quality product, both in terms of assets and service, to all of our customers. We have successfully worked with many customers to find mutually beneficial solutions to operational and financial challenges. We believe we maintain excellent relations with our customers. We have been able to achieve a high utilization rate on our aviation assets as a result of our customer reach, quality product offering and strong portfolio management capabilities.
Allocate capital efficiently
We seek to deploy our capital efficiently to provide the best long-term returns for our investors. We have a broad range of options for deployment of capital, including investment in flight equipment, repayment of debt, mergers and acquisitions and the return of capital to shareholders. We have deployed our capital across all of these areas in the past and will continue to seek opportunities to do so in the future.
Joint ventures
We conduct some of our business through joint ventures. The joint venture arrangements allow us to obtain stable servicing revenues and diversify our exposure to the economic risks related to aircraft and engines.
Shannon Engine Support Ltd
SES is a joint venture 50% owned by us and 50% owned by Safran. SES is headquartered in Shannon, Ireland, with marketing offices in Singapore, Beijing, China and Budapest, Hungary. SES offers spare engine solutions to CFMI operators, including guaranteed pool access, short-term and long-term leases, trading and exchanges, all of which can be structured and combined to meet an individual airline’s fleet requirements. SES’s spare engine pools are located at certified MRO facilities around the world, close to international logistics hubs, to easily support airlines operating CFM56 and LEAP powered aircraft. We account for our investment in SES under the equity method of accounting.
Refer to Note 10—Associated companies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details on our joint ventures.
Relationship with Airbus, Boeing and other manufacturers
We are one of the largest customers of Airbus and Boeing measured by deliveries of aircraft through 2023 and our order backlog. We were also the launch customer of the Embraer E2 program. We are also among the largest purchasers of engines from each of CFMI, GE Aviation, International Aero Engines, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce. These extensive manufacturer relationships and the scale of our business enable us to place large orders with favorable pricing and delivery terms. In addition, these strategic relationships with manufacturers and market knowledge allow us to participate in new aircraft designs, which gives us increased confidence in our airframe and engine selections. AerCap cooperates broadly with manufacturers seeking mutually beneficial opportunities.
Competition
The aviation leasing and sales business is highly competitive, and we face competition from other aviation leasing companies, airlines, aviation manufacturers, aviation brokers and financial institutions. Competition for a leasing transaction is based on a number of factors, including delivery dates, lease rates, term of lease, other lease provisions, aircraft condition and the availability in the marketplace of the types of aircraft that can meet customer requirements. As a result of our geographical reach, diverse aircraft portfolio and success in remarketing our aircraft, we believe we are a strong competitor in all of these areas.
Insurance
Our lessees are required under our leases to bear responsibility, through an operational indemnity subject to customary exclusions, and to carry insurance for any liabilities arising out of the operation of our flight equipment, including any liabilities for death or injury to persons and damage to property that ordinarily would attach to the operator of the asset.
In addition, our lessees are required to carry other types of insurance that are customary in the air transportation industry, including hull all risks insurance for both the aircraft and each engine whether or not installed on our aircraft (in each case, at a value stipulated in the relevant lease that typically exceeds the aircraft net book value by approximately 10%) and hull war risks insurance covering risks such as hijacking and terrorism and, where permitted, including confiscation, expropriation, nationalization and seizure (subject to adjustment or fleet or policy aggregate limits in certain circumstances and customary exclusions). Our lessees are also required to carry aircraft spares insurance and aircraft third-party liability insurance, in each case subject to customary deductibles and exclusions. We are named as an additional insured on liability insurance policies carried by our lessees, and we or our lenders are designated as a loss payee in the event of a total loss of an asset. We monitor the compliance by our lessees with the insurance provisions of our leases by securing confirmation of coverage from the lessees’ insurance brokers.
We also purchase insurance that provides us with coverage when our assets are not subject to a lease or where a lessee’s policy fails to indemnify us, and this insurance is subject to customary deductions and exclusions. In addition, we carry customary insurance for our property, which is subject to customary deductibles, limits and exclusions. Insurance experts advise and make recommendations to us as to the appropriate amount of insurance coverage that we should obtain. Refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—Our insurance policies, including our use of a captive insurance company, may not provide adequate protection against risks, events outside of our control may cause insurers to raise premiums and/or reduce or cancel available coverage, and we may not be able to recover losses under our policies.” Also refer to Note 31—Commitments and contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of material litigation to which we are a party.
Regulation
While the air transportation industry is highly regulated, we generally are not directly subject to most of these regulations, as we do not generally operate our assets. Our lessees are subject, however, to extensive regulation under the laws of the jurisdictions in which they are registered and in which they operate. These regulations, among other things, govern the registration, operation and maintenance of our assets. Most of our aircraft are registered in the jurisdiction in which the lessee of the aircraft is certified as an air operator. Both our aircraft and engines are subject to the airworthiness and other standards imposed by our lessees’ jurisdictions of operation. Laws affecting the airworthiness of flight equipment are generally designed to ensure that all aircraft, engines and related equipment are continuously maintained in proper condition to enable safe operation of the aircraft. Most countries’ aviation laws require aircraft and engines to be maintained under an approved maintenance program with defined procedures and intervals for inspection, maintenance and repair.
Limitations on emissions, such as the ETS and CORSIA, could favor the use of younger, more fuel-efficient aircraft, since they generally produce lower levels of emissions per passenger, which could adversely affect our ability to re-lease or otherwise dispose of less efficient older aircraft on a timely basis, on favorable terms, or at all. This is an area of law that is rapidly evolving and varies by jurisdiction. While it is uncertain whether new emissions restrictions will be passed, or if passed, what impact these laws might have on our business, any future emissions limitations or other future requirements to address climate change concerns could adversely affect us.
In addition, under our leases, we may be required in some instances to obtain specific licenses, consents or approvals for different aspects of the leases. These required items include consents from governmental or regulatory authorities for certain payments under the leases and for the import, re-export or deregistration of the leased assets. Also, to perform some of our cash management services and insurance services from Ireland under our management arrangements with our joint ventures and securitization entities, we are required to have a license from the Irish regulatory authorities, which we have obtained.
The United States, among other jurisdictions, regulates the export of goods, software, technology, and military items from the United States. In addition to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, two principal U.S. Government agencies have regulatory authority in this area. The U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) administers the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security administers the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”).
ITAR and EAR compliance are an integral part of AerCap’s compliance activities. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Milestone Aviation, is a helicopter operating lessor that engages in defense trade activities. While our fleet is comprised of civil helicopters, certain of the helicopters (generally helicopters configured for SAR or police services missions) are equipped with controlled equipment covered by active ITAR licenses. In view of our defense trade activities, The Milestone Aviation Group LLC is registered with DDTC as an exporter and broker under ITAR. The controlled equipment in our fleet may require prior authorizations to be exported to certain jurisdictions. Any failures by us or our customers or suppliers to comply with these laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal penalties, fines, investigations, adverse publicity or restrictions on its ability to continue to engage in business activities involving controlled equipment, and repeat failures could carry more significant penalties. Any changes in export or sanctions regulations may further restrict business activities involving controlled equipment. The length of time required by the licensing processes can vary, potentially delaying helicopter lease transactions and the recognition of the corresponding revenue.
Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—We are subject to regulatory and compliance risks and requirements associated with transacting business in many countries” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to the geopolitical, regulatory, corporate responsibility and legal exposure of our business—Our assets are subject to various environmental regulations and concerns, including those relating to climate change” for a detailed discussion of government sanctions, export controls and other regulations that could affect our business.
Litigation
Please refer to Note 31—Commitments and contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of material litigation to which we are a party.
Trademarks
AerCap Holdings N.V. has registered the “AerCap” trademark with various intellectual property offices, including those in the United States, Argentina, Australia, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, Chile, European Union, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, as well as filed the “AerCap” trademark with the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”). AerCap Holdings N.V. has also filed trademark applications for the “AerCap” logos and the “Never Stand Still” trademark with various intellectual property offices, including those in the United States, Australia, Belarus, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and WIPO. The Milestone Aviation Group LLC has registered the “Milestone” trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and various local trademark authorities.
Culture and values
We are proud of our high-performance culture, which is built on the values of Ambition, Excellence and Respect. We believe that true success is built upon a foundation of trust and integrity, and we endeavor to create an environment where our people feel included and empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. We strive to conduct our business with integrity and in an honest and responsible manner and to build and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. These values contribute to sustainable long-term value creation for AerCap and its stakeholders and are further specified in our code of conduct and our ethics-related compliance policies, procedures, trainings and programs. Ethical behavior is strongly promoted by the senior leadership team. The Company has an excellent track record in relation to ethics and compliance. These ethical values are reflected in the Company’s long-term strategy and our way of doing business. During 2023, we launched our new corporate brand identity and our new employer brand, which emphasize and reinforce our culture and values.
Sustainability and community
During 2023, our Board-level ESG Committee (“the ESG Committee”) met four times to discuss and review AerCap’s approach to ESG-related topics. The ESG Committee comprises three independent directors of the AerCap Board and three members of the AerCap senior leadership team. We believe this creates a balance between the execution of strategy at an executive level and the independent oversight and counsel of the experienced board members. These individuals have relevant experience in areas such as governance, sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions management, charitable outreach, financial reporting and reputational risk management. The ESG Committee is responsible for assisting AerCap’s Board of Directors in defining and reviewing the Company’s strategy relating to ESG and developing and maintaining the Company’s policies, programs, targets and initiatives in this space. This approach is designed to provide dedicated oversight of ESG issues at the highest level. In December 2022, AerCap’s Board of Directors approved AerCap’s ESG Strategy, which is aligned with AerCap’s overall strategic approach to be positioned for growth and resilient against risks. This ESG Strategy outlines the Company’s overall ESG goals, risks and opportunities and is focused on the impact AerCap can have through asset purchases and sales, leasing activity, financing and investment, collaboration with partnerships, engagement on policy, governance and AerCap’s role as an employer.
In April 2023, we published our latest annual ESG report (the “2022 ESG Report”), which was based on Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) Standards. The 2022 ESG Report is publicly available on our website and is not incorporated by reference into this annual report. The 2022 ESG Report sets forth in detail our commitment to growing our business in a responsible and sustainable way. We continue to expand and refine our ESG reporting, based on best practices and our engagement with stakeholders and their expectations. In 2022, AerCap published its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions from downstream leased assets (owned aircraft only) for every year since 2015. Since 2014, AerCap has transformed its fleet from approximately 6% new technology aircraft measured by net book value to approximately 70% new technology aircraft at the end of 2023, among the highest percentages of all major aircraft lessors. New technology aircraft produce significantly lower emissions than the previous generation aircraft they replace and drive emissions reductions for our airline customers as well as significant cost savings. The reduction in Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions that AerCap achieved from 2015 to 2020 was the direct result of AerCap’s strategy of purchasing what we believe are the most fuel-efficient, and newest technology aircraft available from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) and disposing of older technology and less fuel-efficient aircraft. With the acquisition of GECAS in November 2021, our fleet of owned aircraft nearly doubled, and as a result, our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 increased. However, as we continue to progress towards our target of 75% new technology aircraft by the end of 2024, we aim to reduce our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions going forward.
In 2023, AerCap purchased 80 fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft and sold 74 primarily current technology aircraft with an average age of 16 years. Approximately 80 of our airline customers now lease new technology aircraft from us. We believe the best way for us to support the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions is to follow the “leading-edge” approach, which means taking the best steps available to our industry. Today, that means investing in new technology aircraft, and we are on track to meet our ambitious target to transition our fleet to 75% new technology aircraft by net book value by the end of 2024.
Through AerCap Materials, we are able to efficiently retire aircraft. ICAO estimates that approximately 85-90% of an aircraft can be recycled back into the supply chain either as spare parts or raw materials. AerCap Materials has been certified by the International Organization for Standardization and the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association and has over 50 years’ experience in this field, contributing to our processes designed to help ensure that aircraft are retired with adherence to strict environmental and safety protocols.
AerCap is a member of Aircraft Leasing Ireland (“ALI”) and is a signatory to ALI’s inaugural Sustainability Charter, which outlines ten priority sustainability principles focused on areas including climate action and net zero greenhouse gas emissions, technology and innovation and waste and the circular economy. AerCap has a dedicated Government Affairs function based in Brussels that is focused on legislative developments and strategic matters emerging from Europe and beyond. We are engaged in active and frequent dialogue and collaboration with regulatory policymakers, government bodies, industry trade associations and key business partners on aviation decarbonization policies.
In our offices globally, AerCap is committed to increasing our efficient use of resources and reducing unnecessary waste. Our headquarters in Dublin has been Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certified in areas such as building materials, energy and water use and accessibility. We are working with our landlords to improve the efficiency of our other offices.
At AerCap, we believe our employees are our greatest asset. We actively seek to hire and retain talented employees and remunerate our employees with what we believe are some of the most attractive packages in the industry. This includes not only competitive salaries and benefits, but also performance-based-bonuses and employee share schemes. In addition, we also provide opportunities for employees to move and grow within the organization through continuous development programs, industry insights, training and knowledge sharing sessions. In 2022, we introduced a flexible working policy which was well received by our employees. We see great value in having a diverse workforce, in terms of gender diversity as well as diversity of cultural, social and educational backgrounds. We aim to recruit, employ and promote employees on the basis of qualifications and performance and we are committed to treating all current and prospective employees equally irrespective of race, religion, gender, marital status, family/civil status, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. AerCap is committed to maintaining a productive working environment in which all employees are treated with mutual dignity and respect. All employees have the right to work in an environment that is free from sexual harassment, other forms of harassment and bullying. In 2022, AerCap launched its first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (“DEIB”) survey, to help develop a framework for our Diversity and Inclusion (“D&I”) strategy in line with our greater headcount, following the GECAS Transaction. The survey was aimed at understanding what DEIB means to our employees, their views on how AerCap supports these efforts and where and how we can do better. In 2023, we also conducted several D&I focus groups across the Company to gain further insight into the key themes that emerged from the survey, with a view to implementing tangible actions. As a result of the survey and the focus groups, training on topics related to D&I was made available to all employees during 2023. In addition, all relevant corporate policies and procedures were reviewed, and adapted where necessary, to ensure alignment with the Company’s D&I objectives. AerCap’s senior leadership team, together with the ESG Committee, will continue to engage and utilize feedback from employees to further develop programs and initiatives that support our D&I strategy.
We participate in a significant number of charitable events and industry-related educational programs each year. In 2017, AerCap established a Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) Committee. This Committee is employee-led and is responsible for the selection and implementation of fundraising and volunteering initiatives across the Company. At the beginning of each calendar year, AerCap employees vote for four charitable and social themes from a shortlist selected by the CSR committee. Throughout the year, the CSR Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating requests for support for charitable and community-related initiatives aligned with the chosen themes. In 2023, the themes employees chose to support were mental health and suicide prevention services, cancer care and hospice services, domestic abuse, gender-based violence and violence against women, child protection and adults and children with special needs. We encourage employees to support local and national organizations that strengthen the communities in which they live and work. Several of our charitable initiatives involve the Company’s matching of funds raised through employee team efforts for the benefit of local community projects. In addition to this, the CSR Committee can nominate chosen charity partners that would benefit from longer-term partnerships with AerCap, rather than one-time donations. As an example, in 2023 AerCap was pleased to support Concern Worldwide’s CHANGE program in Ethiopia, as well as the Museum of Literature Ireland’s “MoLI in the Classroom” program. In 2023, together with our employees, AerCap donated over $800,000 to charitable and social causes.
AerCap is proud to be a sponsor of the prestigious MSc in Aviation Finance program at University College Dublin (“UCD”) Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School since the program launched in 2015. In addition to sponsorship, the Company also arranges for key employees to give lectures to students and provides internships to a number of students from the program. This gives graduates the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in a range of disciplines. In 2019, AerCap established a scholarship program with the University of Limerick (“UL”), the first Women in Aviation program of its type in Ireland. The program aims to create awareness amongst female students of Aeronautical Engineering as a career option and encourage more women to join the industry. Since the launch of the initiative five first-year students of the UL Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering have been awarded the AerCap Women in Aviation Scholarship. As well as an annual financial bursary provided to the scholarship recipients, students have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience through an eight-month internship in the AerCap technical department with mentoring from experienced professionals in the team.
AerCap launched a four-year scholarship program in 2021 in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering at the International School of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, the country’s number one ranked university and a world-class leader in aerospace engineering education. In addition to the scholarships, AerCap provides a range of tailored support to students, including guest lectures, workshops, and summer internships. As part of the program, students undertake a research project focused on ESG and related innovations in the aviation industry, supported by AerCap. As part of our scholarship program with Chulalongkorn University, we sponsored the AerCap ESG Challenge, where we invited aerospace engineering students to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions to tackle ESG challenges in the aviation industry.
Flight equipment portfolio
The following table presents our flight equipment portfolio by type as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | Number of owned assets | | % Net Book Value | | Number of managed assets | | Number of assets on order | | Total assets owned, managed and on order |
Passenger Aircraft | | 1,487 | | | 85 | % | | 177 | | | 338 | | | 2,002 | |
Airbus A220 Family | | 9 | | | 1 | % | | 6 | | | 10 | | | 25 | |
Airbus A320neo Family | | 384 | | | 29 | % | | 23 | | | 148 | | | 555 | |
Airbus A320 Family | | 428 | | | 9 | % | | 63 | | | — | | | 491 | |
Airbus A330neo Family | | 4 | | | 1 | % | | 1 | | | 8 | | | 13 | |
Airbus A330 | | 48 | | | 2 | % | | 9 | | | — | | | 57 | |
Airbus A350 | | 41 | | | 8 | % | | 6 | | | — | | | 47 | |
Boeing 737 MAX | | 59 | | | 4 | % | | 8 | | | 120 | | | 187 | |
Boeing 737NG | | 264 | | | 9 | % | | 59 | | | — | | | 323 | |
Boeing 777-200ER | | 4 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4 | |
Boeing 777-300ER | | 45 | | | 3 | % | | 1 | | | — | | | 46 | |
Boeing 787 | | 106 | | | 18 | % | | 1 | | | 19 | | | 126 | |
Embraer E190/E195/E2 | | 66 | | | 1 | % | | — | | | 28 | | | 94 | |
Other (a) | | 29 | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | 34 | |
Freighter Aircraft | | 69 | | 2 | % | | 7 | | — | | 76 |
Airbus A321 | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | 1 | |
Boeing 737 | | 51 | | 1 | % | | 7 | | — | | 58 |
Boeing 747/767/777 | | 17 | | 1 | % | | — | | — | | 17 |
Engines | | 439 | | | 7 | % | | 577 | | | 37 | | | 1,053 | |
Helicopters | | 313 | | | 6 | % | | — | | | 8 | | | 321 | |
Total | | 2,308 | | | 100 | % | | 761 | | | 383 | | | 3,452 | |
(a)Other includes 29 owned aircraft (including five Embraer E170/175 aircraft; seven Boeing 767 aircraft; 16 ATR and De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 aircraft, and one Boeing 757 aircraft) and five regional jet aircraft on order.
The following table presents our owned aircraft portfolio by type of aircraft as a percentage of total net book value as of each of the five years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
Aircraft type | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Passenger Aircraft | | 97 | % | | 98 | % | | 97 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
Airbus A220 Family | | 1 | % | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Airbus A320neo Family | | 34 | % | | 31 | % | | 27 | % | | 23 | % | | 18 | % |
Airbus A320 Family | | 10 | % | | 12 | % | | 13 | % | | 13 | % | | 14 | % |
Airbus A330neo Family | | 1 | % | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Airbus A330 | | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | 3 | % | | 4 | % | | 7 | % |
Airbus A350 | | 9 | % | | 10 | % | | 10 | % | | 10 | % | | 10 | % |
Boeing 737 MAX | | 5 | % | | 4 | % | | 3 | % | | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
Boeing 737NG | | 10 | % | | 12 | % | | 13 | % | | 15 | % | | 16 | % |
Boeing 777-200ER | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
Boeing 777-300/300ER | | 4 | % | | 4 | % | | 5 | % | | 3 | % | | 4 | % |
Boeing 787 | | 20 | % | | 21 | % | | 20 | % | | 29 | % | | 28 | % |
Embraer E190/195/E2 | | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | 2 | % | | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
Other | | — | | | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | — | | | — | |
Freighter Aircraft | | 3 | % | | 2 | % | | 3 | % | | — | | | — | |
Airbus A321 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Boeing 737 | | 2 | % | | 1 | % | | 2 | % | | — | | | — | |
Boeing 747/767/777 | | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | — | | | — | |
Total | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
New technology aircraft (a) | | 70 | % | | 66 | % | | 61 | % | | 63 | % | | 58 | % |
(a)New technology aircraft include Airbus A220 Family, Airbus A320neo Family, Airbus A330neo Family, Airbus A350, Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 787 and Embraer E2 aircraft.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we had the following activity related to owned aircraft:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held for operating leases | | Investment in finance leases, net | | Held for sale | | Total owned aircraft |
Number of owned aircraft at beginning of period | 1,422 | | | 136 | | | 14 | | | 1,572 | |
Aircraft purchases (a) | 83 | | | — | | | — | | | 83 | |
Aircraft reclassified to held for sale | (27) | | | — | | | 27 | | | — | |
Aircraft sold or designated for part-out (b) | (50) | | | (21) | | | (28) | | | (99) | |
Aircraft reclassified from investment in finance leases, net | (6) | | | 6 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Number of owned aircraft at end of period | 1,422 | | | 121 | | | 13 | | | 1,556 | |
(a)Includes 80 new aircraft purchases and three used aircraft purchases.
(b)Includes 25 aircraft that were reclassified to inventory.
Aircraft on order
The following table details our 338 aircraft on order as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Aircraft type | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total |
Airbus A220 Family | | 10 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10 | |
Airbus A320neo Family | | 43 | | | 45 | | | 33 | | | 22 | | | 5 | | | — | | | 148 | |
Airbus A330neo Family | | 8 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boeing 737 MAX | | 17 | | | 32 | | | 38 | | | 33 | | | — | | | — | | | 120 | |
Boeing 787 | | 4 | | | 10 | | | 5 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 19 | |
Embraer E190/195-E2 | | 10 | | | 18 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 28 | |
Other | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5 | | | 5 | |
Total | | 92 | | | 105 | | | 76 | | | 55 | | | 5 | | | 5 | | | 338 | |
Due to our aircraft order book, we believe that we are well-positioned to take advantage of trading opportunities and expand our aircraft portfolio. We believe that our global network of strong relationships with airlines, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance, repair and overhaul service providers and commercial and financial institutions gives us a competitive advantage in sourcing and executing transactions. Our revolving credit facilities are designed to allow us to rapidly execute our portfolio management strategies by providing us with large-scale committed funding to acquire new and used aircraft.
Aircraft acquisitions and dispositions
We purchase new and used aircraft directly from aircraft manufacturers, airlines and financial investors. The aircraft we purchase are both on-lease and off-lease, depending on market conditions and the composition of our portfolio. The buyers of our aircraft include airlines, financial investors and other aircraft leasing companies. We acquire aircraft at attractive prices in three primary ways: by purchasing large quantities of aircraft directly from manufacturers to take advantage of volume discounts; by purchasing portfolios consisting of aircraft of varying types and ages; and by entering into purchase and leaseback transactions with airlines. In addition, we also opportunistically purchase individual aircraft that we believe are being offered at attractive prices. Through our marketing team, which is in frequent contact with airlines worldwide, we are also able to identify attractive acquisition and disposition opportunities. We sell aircraft when we believe the market price for the type of aircraft has reached its peak or to rebalance the composition of our aircraft portfolio.
Prior to a purchase or disposition, our dedicated portfolio management group analyzes the aircraft’s price, fit in our aircraft portfolio, specification and configuration, maintenance history and condition, the existing lease terms, financial condition and creditworthiness of the existing lessee, the jurisdiction of the lessee, industry trends, financing arrangements and the aircraft’s redeployment potential and value, among other factors. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased 80 new aircraft and sold 74 aircraft from our owned portfolio.
History and development of the Company
AerCap Holdings N.V. was incorporated in the Netherlands as a public limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” or “N.V.”) on July 10, 2006. AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with 2,078 aircraft owned, managed or on order, approximately 1,000 engines (including engines owned and managed by SES), over 300 owned helicopters, and total assets of $71 billion as of December 31, 2023. Our ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol AER. Our headquarters is located in Dublin, and we have offices in Shannon, Miami, Singapore, Memphis, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Dubai and other locations. We also have representative offices at the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, Boeing in Seattle and Airbus in Toulouse.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 215,543,739 ordinary shares issued, including 202,493,168 ordinary shares issued and outstanding, and 13,050,571 ordinary shares held as treasury shares. Our issued and outstanding ordinary shares included 4,561,249 shares of unvested restricted stock.
The address of our headquarters in Dublin is AerCap House, 65 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 YX20, Ireland, and our general telephone number is +353 1 819 2010. Our website address is www.aercap.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. Puglisi & Associates is our authorized representative in the United States. The address of Puglisi & Associates is 850 Liberty Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711 and their general telephone number is +1 (302) 738-6680. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You can review our SEC filings, including this annual report, by accessing the SEC’s internet website at www.sec.gov.
AerCap completed the acquisition of the GECAS business from GE on November 1, 2021. Immediately following the completion of the GECAS Transaction, GE held approximately 46% of AerCap’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. As a result of several sales of their shares during the year ended December 31, 2023, as of November 16, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Our primary capital expenditure is the purchase of flight equipment under purchase agreements with the manufacturers (primarily, Airbus, Boeing and Embraer for aircraft). Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and capital resources” for a detailed discussion of our capital expenditures. The following table presents our capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) |
Purchase of flight equipment | $ | 4,662,680 | | | $ | 3,480,074 | | | $ | 1,703,395 | |
Prepayments on flight equipment | 1,569,706 | | | 391,498 | | | 86,386 | |
Facilities
We lease our Dublin, Ireland headquarters office facility under a 25-year lease that began in December 2015, that has a termination right, at our option, in 2031. We lease our Shannon, Ireland office facility under a lease that expires in 2033, with an option to terminate in 2029. We lease our Singapore office facility under a lease that expires in February 2029. We lease our Miami office facility under a lease that expires in December 2034, with an option to terminate in 2030. In addition to the above facilities, we also lease offices in various locations around the world, including: Dublin, Ireland; Memphis, Tennessee; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; London, United Kingdom; Shanghai, China; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Organizational structure
AerCap Holdings N.V. is a holding company that holds directly and indirectly consolidated subsidiaries, which in turn own our aviation assets. As of December 31, 2023, AerCap Holdings N.V. did not own significant assets other than its direct and indirect investments in its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2023, our major operating subsidiaries, each of which is ultimately 100%-owned by AerCap Holdings N.V., are AerCap Ireland Limited (Ireland) (“AerCap Ireland”), AerCap Ireland Capital DAC (Ireland), AerCap Global Aviation Trust (United States) (“AerCap Trust”), AerCap Aviation Leasing Limited (Ireland), Celestial Aviation Funding Unlimited Company (Ireland) and Celestial Aviation Services Limited (Ireland). Refer to Exhibit 8.1—List of Subsidiaries of AerCap Holdings N.V. for a complete list of all our subsidiaries.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in this annual report. Our financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The discussion below contains forward looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes of circumstances. Refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors” and “Special Note About Forward Looking Statements.”
Overview
Net income attributable to AerCap Holdings N.V. for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $3.1 billion, compared to net loss attributable to AerCap of $726 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, diluted earnings per share was $13.78 and the weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding was 227,656,343, compared to diluted net loss per share of $3.02 and weighted average number of diluted shares of 240,486,849 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $5.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $5.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Major developments in 2023
In 2023, AerCap:
•Executed a total of 953 transactions, including 592 lease agreements;
•Completed purchases of 173 assets, including 80 fuel-efficient, new technology owned aircraft, for approximately $6.4 billion;
•Completed sales of 167 assets for aggregate proceeds of approximately $2.8 billion, including 74 owned aircraft with an average age of 16 years;
•Repurchased an aggregate of 44.3 million ordinary shares for approximately $2.6 billion under share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors in 2023, including the repurchase of 36.4 million shares from GE for $2.1 billion;
•Arranged $13.3 billion of financing, consisting primarily of notes issuances in the capital markets, bank debt and revolving credit facilities; and
•Recognized recoveries of $1.3 billion related to cash insurance settlement proceeds pursuant to insurance settlements with six Russian airlines and their Russian insurers in respect of 67 aircraft and ten spare engines lost in Russia.
Also in 2023, GE sold all 111,500,000 of our ordinary shares, which represented 46% of our ordinary shares immediately following the GECAS Transaction. As of November 16, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Aviation assets
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased 80 new technology owned aircraft, 76 engines and 17 helicopters for approximately $6.4 billion. As of December 31, 2023, we owned 1,556 aircraft and managed 184 aircraft. We also owned or managed approximately 1,000 engines (including engines owned and managed by SES) and owned over 300 helicopters. As of December 31, 2023, we had 338 new aircraft on order. The average age of our fleet of 1,556 owned aircraft, weighted by net book value, was 7.3 years as of December 31, 2023.
Significant components of revenues and expenses
Revenues and other income
Our revenues and other income consist primarily of basic lease rents, maintenance rents and other receipts, net gain on sale of assets and other income.
Basic lease rents and maintenance rents and other receipts
Our aircraft lease agreements generally provide for the periodic payment of a fixed or a floating amount of rent. Floating rents for aircraft are tied to interest rates during the terms of the respective leases. During the year ended December 31, 2023, 1.5% of our basic lease rents from aircraft under operating leases was attributable to leases with lease rates tied to floating interest rates. In addition, our leases require the payment of supplemental maintenance rent based on aircraft utilization during the lease term, or EOL compensation calculated with reference to the condition of the aircraft at lease expiration. The amount of basic lease rents and maintenance rents and other receipts (together, “lease revenue”) we recognize is primarily influenced by the following five factors:
•the contracted lease rate, which is highly dependent on the age, condition and type of the leased aircraft;
•for leases with rates tied to floating interest rates, interest rates during the term of the lease;
•the number of aircraft currently subject to lease contracts;
•the lessee’s performance of its lease obligations; and
•the amount of EOL compensation payments we receive, maintenance revenue and other receipts recognized during the lease and accrued maintenance liabilities recognized as revenue at the end of a lease.
In addition to aircraft-specific factors such as the type, condition and age of the aircraft, the lease rates for our leases with fixed rental payments are initially determined in part by reference to the prevailing interest rate for a debt instrument with a term similar to the lease term and with a similar credit quality as the lessee at the time we enter into the lease. Many of the factors described above are influenced by global and regional economic trends, airline market conditions, the supply and demand balance for the type of aircraft we own and our ability to remarket our aircraft subject to expiring lease contracts under favorable economic terms.
As of December 31, 2023, 1,529 of our 1,556 owned aircraft were on lease, with no lessee representing more than 10% of total lease revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, our owned aircraft portfolio included 27 aircraft that were off-lease. As of February 20, 2024, of these 27 aircraft, 17 were re-leased or under commitments for re-lease, two aircraft were designated for sale or part-out (which represented less than 1% of the aggregate net book value of our fleet), six aircraft were being marketed for re-lease (which represented less than 1% of the aggregate net book value of our fleet) and two aircraft were sold.
Net gain on sale of assets
Our net gain on sale of assets is generated from the sale of our flight equipment and is largely dependent on the condition of the asset being sold, prevailing interest rates, airline market conditions and the supply and demand balance for the type of asset we are selling. The timing of aircraft sale closings is often uncertain, as a sale may be concluded swiftly or negotiations may extend over several weeks or months. As a result, even if net gain on sale of assets is comparable over a long period of time, during any particular reporting period we may close significantly more or fewer sale transactions than in other reporting periods. Accordingly, net gain on sale of assets recorded in one reporting period may not be comparable to net gain on sale of assets in other reporting periods.
Other income
Other income consists of proceeds from interest revenue, management fee revenue, insurance proceeds, claims sales, inventory sales and income related to other miscellaneous activities.
Our interest revenue is derived primarily from interest on unrestricted and restricted cash balances and on financial instruments we hold, such as notes receivable, loans receivable and subordinated debt investments in unconsolidated securitization vehicles or affiliates. The amount of interest revenue we recognize in any period is influenced by our unrestricted or restricted cash balances, the principal balance of financial instruments we hold, contracted or effective interest rates, and movements in provisions for financial instruments which can affect adjustments to valuations or provisions.
We generate management fee revenue by providing management services to non-consolidated aircraft securitization vehicles, joint ventures, and other third parties. Our management services include aircraft asset management services, such as leasing, remarketing and technical advisory services, cash management and treasury services, and accounting and administrative services.
Operating expenses
Our operating expenses consist primarily of depreciation and amortization, net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict, interest expense, leasing expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Depreciation and amortization
Our depreciation expense is influenced by the adjusted gross book values, depreciable lives and estimated residual values of our flight equipment. Adjusted gross book value is the original cost of our flight equipment, adjusted for subsequent capitalized improvements, impairments and accounting basis adjustments associated with a business combination or a purchase and leaseback transaction. In addition, we have definite-lived intangible assets which are amortized over the period which we expect to derive economic benefits from such assets.
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict
The Ukraine Conflict, including the sanctions and the actions of our former Russian lessees and the Russian government, represents an unusual and infrequent event that is classified separately on our Consolidated Income Statements. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized recoveries of $1.3 billion, which primarily consisted of insurance settlement proceeds received. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a pre-tax net charge of $2.7 billion to our earnings, comprised of write-offs and impairments of flight equipment, which were partially offset by the derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities (including maintenance rights and lease premium intangible assets, maintenance liabilities, security deposits and other balances) and the collection of letter of credit proceeds. We recognized a total loss write-off on our assets that remain in Russia and Ukraine, and impairment losses on the assets we have recovered from Russian and Ukrainian airlines. Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Interest expense
Our interest expense arises from a variety of debt funding structures and related derivative financial instruments as described in “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” Note 12—Derivative financial instruments and Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. Interest expense in any period is primarily affected by contracted interest rates, amortization of fair value adjustments, amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts and premiums, principal amounts of indebtedness and unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on derivative financial instruments for which we do not achieve cash flow hedge accounting treatment.
Leasing expenses
Our leasing expenses consist primarily of maintenance rights asset amortization expense, maintenance expenses on our flight equipment, which we incur during the lease through lessor maintenance contributions or when we perform maintenance on our off-lease aircraft, expenses we incur to monitor the maintenance condition of our flight equipment during a lease, expenses to transition flight equipment from an expired lease to a new lease contract, non-capitalizable flight equipment expenses, litigation expenses, insurance expenses and provisions for credit losses on notes receivable, loans and investment in finance leases, net.
Maintenance rights assets are recognized at fair value when we acquire flight equipment subject to existing leases. These assets represent the contractual right to receive the aircraft in a specified maintenance condition at the end of the lease under lease contracts with EOL payment provisions, or our right to receive the aircraft in better maintenance condition due to aircraft maintenance events performed by the lessee either through reimbursement of maintenance deposit rents held under lease contracts with maintenance reserve (“MR”) provisions, or through a lessor contribution to the lessee.
For leases with EOL maintenance provisions, upon lease termination, we recognize receipt of EOL cash compensation as lease revenue to the extent those receipts exceed the EOL maintenance rights asset, and we recognize leasing expenses when the EOL maintenance rights asset exceeds the EOL cash received. For leases with maintenance reserve payment provisions, we recognize maintenance rights expense at the time the lessee submits a reimbursement claim and provides the required documentation related to the cost of a qualifying maintenance event that relates to pre-acquisition usage.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses, including salaries and benefits, share-based compensation expense, professional and advisory costs, office facility expenses and travel expenses, as summarized in Note 23—Selling, general and administrative expenses to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. The level of our selling, general and administrative expenses is influenced primarily by the number of our employees and the extent of transactions or ventures we pursue that require the assistance of outside professionals or advisors.
Income tax (expense) benefit
Our operations are taxable primarily in Ireland, the significant jurisdiction where we manage our business. Deferred taxes are provided to reflect the impact of temporary differences between our income before income taxes and our taxable income. The primary source of temporary differences is the availability of tax depreciation in our primary operating jurisdiction. Our effective tax rate has varied from year to year. Our effective tax rate is impacted by the source and amount of earnings among our various tax jurisdictions, permanent tax differences relative to pre-tax income or loss, and certain other discrete items.
We have tax losses in certain jurisdictions that can be carried forward, which we recognize as deferred tax assets. We evaluate the recoverability of deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction in each period based upon our estimates of future taxable income in these jurisdictions. If we determine that we are not likely to generate sufficient taxable income in a jurisdiction prior to expiration, if any, of the availability of tax losses, we establish a valuation allowance against the tax loss to reduce the deferred tax asset to its recoverable value. We evaluate the appropriate level of valuation allowances annually and make adjustments as necessary. Increases or decreases to valuation allowances can affect our income tax (expense) benefit in our Consolidated Income Statements and consequently may affect our effective tax rate in a given year.
Factors affecting our results
Our results of operations have also been affected by a variety of other factors, primarily:
•the continued impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, including the resulting sanctions by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries, on our business and results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
•the number, type, age and condition of the flight equipment we own;
•aviation industry market conditions, including general economic and political conditions;
•the demand for our flight equipment and the resulting lease rates we are able to obtain for our flight equipment;
•the availability and cost of debt capital to finance purchases of flight equipment;
•the purchase price we pay for our flight equipment;
•the number, type and sale price of flight equipment, or parts in the event of a part-out of flight equipment, we sell in a period;
•the ability of our lessees to meet their lease obligations, and the timing thereof, and maintain our flight equipment in airworthy and marketable condition;
•increased global inflation leading to rising interest rates, which affect our lease revenues, our interest expense, the market value of our interest rate derivatives, and the market value of our flight equipment;
•the utilization rates of our flight equipment;
•the recognition of non-cash share-based compensation expense related to the issuance of restricted stock units or restricted stock;
•our expectations of future maintenance reimbursements and lessee maintenance contributions;
•our ability to fund our business; and
•our ability to recover claims related to insurance policies, airline bankruptcies or other restructurings.
Factors affecting the comparability of our results
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict
During 2023, we recognized pre-tax recoveries of $1.3 billion to our earnings, which primarily consisted of insurance settlement proceeds received.
During 2022, we recognized pre-tax net charges of $2.7 billion to our earnings as a result of the impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, comprised of write-offs of $2.9 billion and impairments of $295 million of flight equipment, which were partially offset by the derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities (including maintenance rights and lease premium intangible assets, maintenance liabilities, security deposits and other balances) and the collection of letter of credit proceeds. We recognized a total loss write-off on our assets that remain in Russia and Ukraine, and impairment losses on the assets we have recovered from Russian and Ukrainian airlines.
Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details.
Sales transactions
During 2023, we completed sales of flight equipment for aggregate proceeds of $2.8 billion and recognized a net gain on sale of assets of $490 million.
During 2022, we completed sales of flight equipment for aggregate proceeds of $2.2 billion and recognized a net gain on sale of assets of $229 million.
Share repurchases
During 2023, our Board of Directors authorized total repurchases of up to $2.9 billion of AerCap ordinary shares and we repurchased an aggregate of 44.3 million of our ordinary shares under share repurchase programs at an average price of $59.09 per ordinary share, for approximately $2.6 billion.
During 2022, there were no share repurchase programs approved by our Board of Directors.
Proceeds from unsecured claims
During 2023, we recognized $6 million of proceeds related to unsecured claims in other income.
During 2022, we recognized $99 million of proceeds related to unsecured claims in other income.
Trends in our business
We continue to see the recovery of both domestic and international air travel following the Covid-19 pandemic. During 2023, demand for air travel further increased across most major markets, particularly for leisure and short-haul trips, with the recovery accelerated by the re-opening of China. The number of passengers has continued to grow and is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Overall global passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (“RPKs”), rose substantially in 2023, and reached approximately 94% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”). In addition, domestic travel set new highs in 2023 and RPKs exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 4%. IATA expects passenger demand to fully return to pre-Covid-19 levels in 2024.
Critical accounting estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The use of estimates is or could be a significant factor affecting the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experiences and currently available information that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially. Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require our judgments, estimates and assumptions. Our critical accounting estimates are described below.
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net
Flight equipment held for operating leases is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Flight equipment is depreciated to its estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset. The costs of improvements to flight equipment are generally recorded as leasing expenses unless the improvement increases the long-term value of the flight equipment. In that case, the improvement cost is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the aircraft.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Useful Life (a) | | Residual Value (b) |
Passenger aircraft | 25 years | | 15 | % |
Freighter aircraft | 35 years | | 15 | % |
Helicopters | 30 years | | 20 | % |
Engines | 20 years | | 60 | % |
(a) Useful life may be determined to be a different period depending on the disposition strategy.
(b) Estimated industry price, except where more relevant information indicates that a different residual value is more appropriate.
We periodically review the estimated useful lives and residual values of our flight equipment based on our industry knowledge, external factors, such as current market conditions, and changes in our disposition strategies, to determine if they are appropriate, and record adjustments to depreciation rates prospectively on an individual asset basis, as necessary.
We test flight equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The quarterly impairment assessments are primarily triggered by potential sale transactions, leasing transactions, early terminated leases, credit events impacting lessees or forecasted significant and permanent declines in the demand for asset types. The quantitative impairment test is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other groups of assets, which is the individual asset, including the lease-related assets and liabilities of that asset, such as the maintenance rights assets, lease incentives, and maintenance liabilities (the “Asset Group”). If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the Asset Group, an impairment loss is recognized. The loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the Asset Group over its estimated fair value.
Fair value reflects the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated from the assets, including its expected residual value, discounted at a rate commensurate with the associated risk. Future cash flows are assumed to occur under current market conditions and assume adequate time for a sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Expected future lease rates are based on all relevant information available, including current contracted rates for similar assets and industry trends.
On an annual basis, we also perform an assessment of all assets older than five years and held for operating leases to identify potential impairment by reference to estimated future cash flows at the Asset Group level, and perform a quantitative impairment test. We apply significant judgment in assessing whether an impairment is necessary and in estimating significant input assumptions including the future lease rates, maintenance cash flow forecasts, the residual value and the discount rate when performing quantitative impairment tests.
Due to the significant uncertainties associated with potential sales transactions, we use our judgment to evaluate whether a sale or other disposal is more likely than not. The factors we consider in our assessment include (i) the progress of the potential sales transactions through a review and evaluation of the sales-related documents and other communications, including, but not limited to, letters of intent or sales agreements that have been negotiated or executed; (ii) our general or specific fleet strategies and other business needs and how those requirements bear on the likelihood of sale or other disposal; and (iii) the evaluation of potential execution risks, including the source of potential purchaser funding and other execution risks.
The future cash flows supporting the carrying value of aircraft that are 15 years of age or older are more dependent upon current lease contracts, and these leases are generally more sensitive to weaknesses in the global economic environment. Deterioration of the global economic environment and a decrease in aircraft values might have a negative effect on the undiscounted cash flows of older aircraft and might cause an impairment loss. As of December 31, 2023, 375 owned passenger aircraft under operating lease with an aggregate asset group value of approximately $3.8 billion were 15 years of age or older, which represented approximately 7% of our total flight equipment and lease-related assets and liabilities. The estimated undiscounted future cash flows of these 375 passenger aircraft were $6.9 billion, which measured on a weighted average basis was 83% in excess of the aggregate carrying value. As of December 31, 2023, all of these aircraft passed the recoverability test. The following assumptions drive the undiscounted cash flows: contracted lease rents through current lease expiry; subsequent re-lease rates based on current marketing information; maintenance cash flow forecasts; and residual values. We review and stress-test our key assumptions to reflect any observed weakness in the global economic environment.
Aircraft that are between five and 15 years of age where future cash flows do not exceed the aircraft carrying value by at least 10% are more susceptible to impairment risk. As of December 31, 2023, two aircraft with an asset group carrying value of $38 million did not exceed our 10% threshold, which represented less than 0.2% of our total flight equipment held for operating leases and lease-related assets and liabilities. The two aircraft that were below the 10% threshold did, however, pass the impairment test as of December 31, 2023, and as such no impairment was recognized.
Recent accounting standards adopted during the year ended December 31, 2023
Please refer to Note 3—Summary of significant accounting policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Future application of accounting standards
Please refer to Note 3—Summary of significant accounting policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Comparative results of operations
Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) | | |
Revenues and other income | | | | | | | |
Lease revenue: | | | | | | | |
Basic lease rents | $ | 6,248,994 | | | $ | 5,981,812 | | | $ | 267,182 | | | |
Maintenance rents and other receipts | 611,326 | | | 548,734 | | | 62,592 | | | |
Lease revenue | 6,860,320 | | | 6,530,546 | | | 329,774 | | | |
Net gain on sale of assets | 489,620 | | | 228,930 | | | 260,690 | | | |
Other income | 230,478 | | | 254,074 | | | (23,596) | | | |
Total Revenues and other income | 7,580,418 | | | 7,013,550 | | | 566,868 | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,480,578 | | | 2,389,807 | | | 90,771 | | | |
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict | (1,287,972) | | | 2,665,651 | | | (3,953,623) | | | |
Asset impairment | 86,855 | | | 96,591 | | | (9,736) | | | |
Interest expense | 1,806,442 | | | 1,591,870 | | | 214,572 | | | |
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment | 4,097 | | | (2,041) | | | 6,138 | | | |
Leasing expenses | 756,438 | | | 823,600 | | | (67,162) | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 464,128 | | | 399,530 | | | 64,598 | | | |
Transaction and integration-related expenses | — | | | 33,286 | | | (33,286) | | | |
Total Expenses | 4,310,566 | | | 7,998,294 | | | (3,687,728) | | | |
Gain (loss) on investments at fair value | 2,334 | | | (17,676) | | | 20,010 | | | |
Income (loss) before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method | 3,272,186 | | | (1,002,420) | | | 4,274,606 | | | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | (291,056) | | | 164,097 | | | (455,153) | | | |
Equity in net earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method | 166,715 | | | 117,165 | | | 49,550 | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,147,845 | | | $ | (721,158) | | | $ | 3,869,003 | | | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | (11,754) | | | (4,883) | | | (6,871) | | | |
Net income (loss) attributable to AerCap Holdings N.V. | $ | 3,136,091 | | | $ | (726,041) | | | $ | 3,862,132 | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Basic lease rents. The increase in basic lease rents of $267 million, or 4%, was attributable to:
•the acquisition of assets between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 with an aggregate net book value of $11.0 billion on their respective acquisition dates, resulting in an increase in basic lease rents of $483 million; and
•an increase in basic lease rents of $83 million primarily related to lease transitions;
partially offset by
•the sale of assets between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 with an aggregate net book value of $3.7 billion on their respective sale dates, resulting in a decrease in basic lease rents of $200 million; and
•a decrease in basic lease rents of $99 million primarily due to lease terminations related to the Ukraine Conflict and lease restructurings.
Maintenance rents and other receipts. The increase in maintenance rents and other receipts of $63 million, or 11%, was attributable to:
•an increase of $92 million in regular maintenance rents;
partially offset by
•a decrease of $29 million in maintenance revenue and other receipts from lease terminations.
Net gain on sale of assets. The increase in net gain on sale of assets of $261 million was primarily due to the higher volume and composition of asset sales. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 167 assets for sale proceeds of $2.8 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 165 assets for proceeds of $2.2 billion.
Other income. The decrease in other income of $24 million was primarily driven by lower proceeds from unsecured claims, partially offset by higher interest income recognized during the year ended December 31, 2023 . During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $6 million and $99 million, respectively, related to proceeds from unsecured claims.
Depreciation and amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization of $91 million, or 4%, was primarily due to a higher level of aircraft purchases during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized recoveries of $1.3 billion, which primarily consisted of cash insurance settlement proceeds related to six Russian airlines and their Russian insurers in respect of 67 aircraft and ten spare engines lost in Russia. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a pre-tax net charge to our earnings of $2.7 billion related to the Ukraine Conflict, comprised of write-offs and impairments of flight equipment, which were partially offset by the derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities and the collection of letter of credit proceeds Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details.
Asset impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized impairment charges of $87 million related to sales transactions, lease amendments or lease terminations which were partially offset by maintenance revenue recognized where we retained maintenance-related balances or received EOL compensation. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized impairment charges of $97 million related to lease terminations, sales transactions or lease amendments where we retained maintenance-related balances. Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Critical accounting estimates” for further information on our event-driven impairment assessments.
Interest expense. The increase in interest expense of $215 million, or 13%, was primarily attributable to:
•a $171 million increase in interest expense due to an increase in the average cost of debt for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of debt, excluding the effect of mark-to-market movements on interest rate caps and swaps, debt issuance costs, upfront fees and other impacts, was 3.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Non-GAAP measures and metrics” for further information on the average cost of debt; and
•a $106 million increase in interest expense attributable to movement in mark-to-market on interest rate caps and swaps. For the year ended December 31, 2023 we recognized a loss of $37 million related to mark-to-market movements on interest rate caps and swaps, compared to a gain of $69 million for the year ended December 31, 2022;
partially offset by
•a $1.8 billion decrease in the average outstanding debt balance from $48.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2022, to $46.7 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023, resulting in a $62 million decrease in interest expense.
Leasing expenses. The decrease in leasing expenses of $67 million was primarily due to $61 million of lower expenses related to flight equipment transition costs and $68 million of lower airline default and restructuring costs and other leasing expenses, partially offset by $62 million of higher maintenance rights asset amortization.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $65 million, or 16%, was primarily due to higher compensation-related, travel and other expenses.
Gain (loss) on investments at fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a gain on investments at fair value of $2 million primarily due to a gain recognized on the sale of an investment. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a loss on investments at fair value of $18 million primarily due to changes in the quoted market prices of our investments at fair value.
Income tax (expense) benefit. The effective tax rate was 8.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the effective tax rate of 16.4% for the year ended 2022. The effective tax rate is impacted by the source and amount of earnings among our various tax jurisdictions as well as permanent tax differences relative to pre-tax income or loss, as well as certain discrete items. Refer to Note 16—Income taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of income taxes.
Equity in net earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method. The increase in equity in net earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method of $50 million was primarily driven by higher earnings from our equity method investees.
For Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Comparative results of operations” in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2023.
Liquidity and capital resources
Capital expenditures and cash commitments
We have significant capital requirements, including making pre-delivery payments and paying the balance of the purchase price for flight equipment on delivery. As of December 31, 2023, we had commitments to purchase 338 new aircraft, scheduled for delivery through 2029. We also had commitments to purchase 37 engines and eight helicopters through 2026. As a result, we will need to raise additional funds to satisfy these capital requirements, which we expect to do through a combination of accessing committed debt facilities and securing additional financing, if needed, from capital markets transactions or other sources of capital. If other sources of capital are not available to us, we may need to raise additional funds through selling aircraft or other aircraft investments, including participations in our joint ventures. Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of our outstanding indebtedness.
Overview of sources and uses of cash
As of December 31, 2023, our cash balance was $1.8 billion, including unrestricted cash of $1.6 billion, and we had $11.0 billion of undrawn lines of credit available under our revolving credit and term loan facilities. As of December 31, 2023, our total available liquidity, including undrawn lines of credit, unrestricted cash, cash flows from contracted asset sales and other sources of funding, was $14 billion, and including estimated operating cash flows for the next 12 months, our total sources of liquidity were $19 billion. As of December 31, 2023, our existing sources of liquidity were sufficient to operate our business and cover approximately 1.4x of our debt maturities and contracted capital requirements for the next 12 months.
Debt
As of December 31, 2023, the principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness, which excludes debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium of $213 million, totaled $46.7 billion and consisted of senior unsecured, subordinated and senior secured notes, export credit facilities, commercial bank debt, revolving credit debt, securitization debt and capital lease structures.
In order to satisfy our contractual purchase obligations, we expect to source new debt financing through access to the capital markets, including the unsecured and secured bond markets, the commercial bank market, export credit and the asset-backed securities market.
In the longer term, we expect to fund the growth of our business, including acquiring aircraft, through internally generated cash flows, the incurrence of new bank debt, the refinancing of existing bank debt and other capital-raising initiatives.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our average cost of debt, excluding the effect of mark-to-market movements on our interest rate caps and swaps, debt issuance fees, upfront fees and other impacts, was 3.5%. As of December 31, 2023, our adjusted debt to equity ratio was 2.47 to 1. Please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Non-GAAP measures and metrics” for further information on our average cost of debt and reconciliations of adjusted debt and adjusted equity to the most closely related U.S. GAAP measures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of our outstanding indebtedness.
Taxation
AerCap Holdings N.V. is incorporated in the Netherlands and headquartered in Ireland, and is not directly engaged in business within, nor has a permanent establishment in, the United States. Only our U.S. subsidiaries are subject to U.S. net income tax or would potentially have to withhold U.S. taxes upon a distribution of our earnings.
Effective February 1, 2016, we became tax resident in Ireland and we would typically expect that the repatriation of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries should not, except where recognized in our financial statements, give rise to material additional Irish taxation due to the availability of foreign tax credits. As of December 31, 2023, $141 million out of $1.6 billion of cash and short-term investments was held by our foreign subsidiaries outside of Ireland. In some instances, the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries will be re-invested in the foreign jurisdiction for the purposes of their business. Additionally, legal restrictions in relation to dividend payments from our subsidiaries to us are described in “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Dividend withholding tax.”
Under the OECD’s BEPS 2.0 initiative, the OECD has formulated rules known as “Pillar Two” designed to implement a global minimum effective tax rate (“ETR”) of 15% on a jurisdictional basis in respect of multinational groups with annual turnover exceeding €750 million in two of the last four years. Ireland has enacted Pillar Two into domestic legislation with effect from January 1, 2024. Under these rules, the ETR for a jurisdiction is to be determined by reference to the financial accounting profits and tax expense (with some adjustments) derived from the relevant financial statements. We are required to calculate our ETR for each jurisdiction in which we operate and for jurisdictions where the ETR is below the 15% minimum rate, we will be liable to pay a top-up tax, known as the global minimum top-up tax, for the difference. The top-up tax is an additional tax designed to bring the minimum effect tax rate for the group to 15%.
Based on commentary provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that this top-up tax should be considered an alternative minimum tax, we are not currently required to record deferred tax related to this minimum top-up tax or remeasure existing deferred taxes. Instead, the incremental effect will be recognized as it is incurred.
Contractual obligations
Our estimated future obligations as of December 31, 2023 include both current and long-term obligations. Our contractual obligations consist of principal and interest payments on debt, executed purchase agreements to purchase flight equipment and rent payments pursuant to our office and facility leases. We intend to fund our contractual obligations through unrestricted cash, lines-of-credit and other borrowings, operating cash flows and cash flows from asset sales. We believe that our sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our contractual obligations.
The following table provides details regarding our contractual obligations and their payment dates as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Unsecured debt facilities | $ | 5,245.4 | | | $ | 3,650.0 | | | $ | 7,294.5 | | | $ | 4,755.5 | | | $ | 5,500.0 | | | $ | 7,850.0 | | | $ | 34,295.4 | |
Secured debt facilities | 966.3 | | | 2,308.4 | | | 1,197.1 | | | 2,040.4 | | | 2,244.1 | | | 1,393.9 | | | 10,150.2 | |
Subordinated debt facilities | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,250.0 | | | 2,250.0 | |
Estimated interest payments (a) | 1,926.2 | | | 1,795.6 | | | 1,499.0 | | | 1,140.9 | | | 830.4 | | | 8,481.4 | | | 15,673.5 | |
Purchase obligations (b) | 7,220.9 | | | 5,817.1 | | | 2,859.9 | | | 1,551.0 | | | 254.7 | | | 162.1 | | | 17,865.7 | |
Operating leases (c) | 50.2 | | | 13.2 | | | 8.7 | | | 8.7 | | | 8.3 | | | 18.7 | | | 107.8 | |
Total | $ | 15,409.0 | | | $ | 13,584.3 | | | $ | 12,859.2 | | | $ | 9,496.5 | | | $ | 8,837.5 | | | $ | 20,156.1 | | | $ | 80,342.6 | |
(a)Estimated interest payments for floating rate debt are based on rates as of December 31, 2023 and include the estimated impact of our interest rate swap agreements.
(b)As of December 31, 2023, we had commitments to purchase 338 aircraft (including ten purchase and leaseback transactions), 37 engines and eight helicopters through 2029. The timing of our purchase obligations is based on current estimates and incorporates expected delivery delays into the table above. In addition, we have the right to reschedule the delivery dates of certain of our aircraft to future dates. Refer to Note 31—Commitments and contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details on our purchase obligations.
(c)Represents contractual payments on aircraft that we lease from corporate aircraft owners and contractual payments on our office and facility leases. Refer to Note 17—Leases to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details on our operating lease obligations.
Historical Information
The following table presents our consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 5,261 | | | $ | 5,171 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (3,183) | | | (2,160) | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,012) | | | (3,161) | |
Cash flows provided by operating activities. During the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash provided by operating activities of $5.3 billion was the result of net income of $3.1 billion, other adjustments to net income of $1.6 billion consisting primarily of depreciation, amortization and net recoveries related to Ukraine Conflict and collections of finance leases of $407 million, partially offset by the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $149 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, our net cash provided by operating activities of $5.2 billion was the result of a net loss of $721 million, other adjustments to net loss of $5.7 billion consisting primarily of depreciation, amortization and net charges related to Ukraine Conflict and collections of finance leases of $630 million, partially offset by the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $389 million.
Cash flows used in investing activities. During the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash used in investing activities of $3.2 billion primarily consisted of the purchase of and prepayments on flight equipment of $6.2 billion and net disbursements from loans receivable of $300 million, partially offset by cash provided by asset sale proceeds of $2.1 billion and cash proceeds from insurance claim settlements of $1.3 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2022, our net cash used in investing activities of $2.2 billion primarily consisted of the purchase of and prepayments on flight equipment of $3.9 billion, partially offset by cash provided by asset sale proceeds of $1.7 billion and net proceeds from loans receivable of $53 million.
Cash flows used in financing activities. During the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash used in financing activities of $2.0 billion primarily consisted of cash used for debt repayments, net of new financing proceeds and debt issuance costs, of $103 million, the repurchase of shares and payments of tax withholdings on share-based compensation of $2.6 billion, and cash used for the redemption of non-controlling interest and dividends paid to non-controlling interest holders of $112 million, partially offset by net receipts of maintenance and security deposits of $841 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, our net cash used in financing activities of $3.2 billion primarily consisted of cash used for debt repayments, net of new financing proceeds and debt issuance costs, of $3.8 billion, the repurchase of shares and payments of tax withholdings on share-based compensation of $17 million, and cash used for the payment of dividends to our non-controlling interest holders of $4 million, partially offset by net receipts of maintenance and security deposits of $622 million.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We have interests in variable interest entities, some of which are not consolidated into our Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 29—Variable interest entities to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a detailed description of these interests and our other off-balance sheet arrangements.
Book value per share
The following table presents our book value per share as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions, except share and per share data) |
Total AerCap Holdings N.V. shareholders’ equity | $ | 16,589 | | | $ | 16,118 | |
| | | |
Ordinary shares issued | 215,543,739 | | | 250,347,345 | |
Treasury shares | (13,050,571) | | | (4,416,070) | |
Ordinary shares outstanding | 202,493,168 | | | 245,931,275 | |
Shares of unvested restricted stock | (4,561,249) | | | (4,837,602) | |
Ordinary shares outstanding, excluding shares of unvested restricted stock | 197,931,919 | | | 241,093,673 | |
| | | |
Book value per ordinary share outstanding, excluding shares of unvested restricted stock | $ | 83.81 | | | $ | 66.85 | |
Non-GAAP measures and metrics
The following are definitions of non-GAAP measures and metrics used in this report on Form 20-F and a reconciliation of such measures to the most closely related U.S. GAAP measures. We believe these measures and metrics may further assist investors in their understanding of our performance and the changes and trends related to our earnings. These measures and metrics should not be viewed in isolation and should only be used in conjunction with and as a supplement to our U.S. GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP measures and metrics are not uniformly defined by all companies, including those in our industry, and so this additional information may not be comparable with similarly-titled measures, metrics and disclosures by other companies.
Adjusted debt to equity ratio
This measure is the ratio obtained by dividing adjusted debt by adjusted equity. Adjusted debt represents consolidated total debt less cash and cash equivalents, and less a 50% equity credit with respect to certain long-term subordinated debt. Adjusted equity represents total equity, plus the 50% equity credit with respect to the long-term subordinated debt. Adjusted debt and adjusted equity are adjusted by the 50% equity credit to reflect the equity nature of those financing arrangements and to provide information that is consistent with definitions under certain of our debt covenants. We believe this measure may further assist investors in their understanding of our capital structure and leverage.
The following is a reconciliation of debt to adjusted debt and equity to adjusted equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions except debt/equity ratio) |
Debt | $ | 46,484 | | | $ | 46,533 | |
Adjusted for: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | (1,627) | | | (1,597) | |
50% credit for long-term subordinated debt | (1,125) | | | (1,125) | |
Adjusted debt | $ | 43,732 | | | $ | 43,811 | |
| | | |
Equity | $ | 16,589 | | | $ | 16,195 | |
Adjusted for: | | | |
50% credit for long-term subordinated debt | 1,125 | | | 1,125 | |
Adjusted equity | $ | 17,714 | | | $ | 17,320 | |
| | | |
Adjusted debt/equity ratio | 2.47 to 1 | | 2.53 to 1 |
Average cost of debt
Average cost of debt is calculated as interest expense, excluding mark-to-market on interest rate caps and swaps, debt issuance costs, upfront fees and other impacts, divided by the average debt balance. This measure reflects the impact from changes in the amount of debt and interest rates.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | Percentage Difference |
| 2023 | | 2022 | |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) | | |
Interest expense | $ | 1,806 | | $ | 1,592 | | 13% |
Adjusted for: | | | | | |
Mark-to-market on interest rate caps and swaps | (37) | | 69 | | NA |
Debt issuance costs, upfront fees and other impacts | (144) | | (149) | | (3%) |
Interest expense excluding mark-to-market on interest rate caps and swaps, debt issuance costs, upfront fees and other impacts | 1,625 | | 1,512 | | 7% |
| | | | | |
Average debt balance | $ | 46,720 | | $ | 48,540 | | (4%) |
| | | | | |
Average cost of debt | 3.5% | | 3.1% | | 13% |
Summarized financial information of issuers and guarantors
AerCap Trust and AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company Notes
From time to time since the completion of the acquisition of ILFC, AerCap Trust and AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company (“AICDC”) have co-issued senior unsecured notes (the “AGAT/AICDC Notes”). Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details on the AGAT/AICDC Notes. The AGAT/AICDC Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. (the “Parent Guarantor”) and by AerCap Ireland, AerCap Aviation Solutions B.V., ILFC and AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC (the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Parent Guarantor, the “AGAT/AICDC Guarantors”).
Subject to the provisions of the indenture governing the AGAT/AICDC Notes (the “AGAT/AICDC Indenture”), a Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released from its guarantee with respect to a series of AGAT/AICDC Notes under the following circumstances: (1) the sale, disposition or other transfer of (i) the capital stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor after which such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the AGAT/AICDC Indenture) or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor; (2) the permitted designation of the Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as defined in and pursuant to the AGAT/AICDC Indenture; (3) the consolidation, amalgamation or merger of a Subsidiary Guarantor with and into AerCap Trust, AICDC or another AGAT/AICDC Guarantor with such person being the surviving entity, or upon the liquidation of a Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all of its assets to AerCap Trust, AICDC or another AGAT/AICDC Guarantor; or (4) legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to such series, each as described in the AGAT/AICDC Indenture, or if the obligations of AerCap Trust and AICDC with respect to such series under the AGAT/AICDC Indenture are discharged.
The guarantee obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor are limited (i) to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by a Subsidiary Guarantor (after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of all other AGAT/AICDC Guarantors in respect of the obligations under their respective guarantees) without rendering the guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws, and (ii) as necessary to recognize certain defenses generally available to guarantors, including voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defenses affecting the rights of creditors generally or other considerations under applicable law. In addition, given that some of the AGAT/AICDC Guarantors are Irish and Dutch companies, it may be more difficult for holders of the AGAT/AICDC Notes to obtain or enforce judgments against such guarantors.
AICDC and certain AGAT/AICDC Guarantors are holding companies and therefore hold equity interests in directly held subsidiaries, amongst having other trading activities. As a result, AICDC and certain AGAT/AICDC Guarantors could be dependent on dividends and other payments from their subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet their outstanding debt service and other obligations, and such dividends or other payments will in turn depend on factors, such as their subsidiaries’ earnings, covenants in instruments governing their subsidiaries’ indebtedness, other contractual restrictions and applicable laws (including local law restricting payments of dividends).
Junior Subordinated Notes
In October 2019, AerCap Holdings N.V. issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% fixed-rate reset junior subordinated notes due 2079 (the “Junior Subordinated Notes”). Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. The Junior Subordinated Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AerCap Trust, AICDC, AerCap Ireland, AerCap Aviation Solutions B.V., ILFC and AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC (the “Subordinated Notes Guarantors”).
Subject to the provisions of the indenture governing the Junior Subordinated Notes (the “Subordinated Notes Indenture”), a Subordinated Notes Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released from its guarantee under the following circumstances: (1) the sale, disposition or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of a Subordinated Notes Guarantor; (2) the consolidation, amalgamation or merger of a Subordinated Notes Guarantor with and into AerCap Holdings N.V. or another Subordinated Notes Guarantor with such person being the surviving entity, or upon the liquidation of a Subordinated Notes Guarantor following the transfer of all of its assets to AerCap Holdings N.V. or another Subordinated Notes Guarantor; or (3) legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, each as described in the Subordinated Notes Indenture, or if the obligations of AerCap Holdings N.V. under the Subordinated Notes Indenture are discharged.
The guarantee obligations of each Subordinated Notes Guarantor are limited (i) to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by a Subordinated Notes Guarantor (after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of all other Subordinated Notes Guarantors in respect of the obligations under their respective guarantees) without rendering the guarantee, as it relates to such Subordinated Notes Guarantor, voidable under applicable fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws, and (ii) as necessary to recognize certain defenses generally available to guarantors, including voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defenses affecting the rights of creditors generally or other considerations under applicable law. In addition, given that some of the Subordinated Notes Guarantors are Irish and Dutch companies, it may be more difficult for holders of the Junior Subordinated Notes to obtain or enforce judgments against such guarantors.
Because AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain Subordinated Notes Guarantors are holding companies with very limited operations, their only significant assets are the equity interests of their directly held subsidiaries. As a result, AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain Subordinated Notes Guarantors are dependent primarily upon dividends and other payments from their subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet their outstanding debt service and other obligations, and such dividends or other payments will in turn depend on their subsidiaries’ earnings, covenants in instruments governing their subsidiaries’ indebtedness, other contractual restrictions and applicable laws (including local law restricting payments of dividends).
Summarized Combined Financial Information
Summarized financial information (the “SFI”), as defined under Rule 1-02(bb) of Regulation S-X, is provided below for the issuers and the guarantor entities and includes AerCap Holdings N.V., AerCap Trust, AICDC, AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC, AerCap Aviation Solutions B.V., AerCap Ireland and ILFC (collectively, the “Obligor Group”) as of December 31, 2023, and for the year ended December 31, 2023. The SFI is presented on a combined basis with intercompany transactions and balances among the entities included in the Obligor Group eliminated. The Obligor Group SFI excludes investments in non-obligor entities.
| | | | | | | | | | |
Summarized combined financial information of issuers and guarantors | | |
| | December 31, 2023 | | |
| | (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net | | $ | 8,330 | | | |
Intercompany receivables | | 35,692 | | | |
Total assets | | 46,858 | | | |
| | | | |
Debt | | 35,863 | | | |
Intercompany payables | | 3,378 | | | |
Total liabilities | | 41,945 | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended |
| | December 31, 2023 |
| | (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Total revenues and other income (a) | | $ | 6,911 | |
Total expenses (b) | | 2,156 | |
Income before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method | | 4,755 | |
Net income | | 4,637 | |
Net income attributable to AerCap Holdings N.V. | | 4,625 | |
(a)Total revenues include interest income from non-obligor entities of $2.1 billion.
(b)Total expenses include interest expense to non-obligor entities of $111 million.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Directors and officers
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position | | Date of First Appointment | | End Current Term (a) | |
Directors | | | | | | | | | |
Paul Dacier | | 66 | | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors | | May 2010 | | 2025 AGM | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Aengus Kelly | | 50 | | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer | | May 2011 | | 2026 AGM | |
Julian (Brad) Branch | | 69 | | Non-Executive Director | | April 2018 | | 2026 AGM | |
Stacey Cartwright | | 60 | | Non-Executive Director | | April 2019 | | 2026 AGM | |
Rita Forst | | 68 | | Non-Executive Director | | April 2019 | | 2026 AGM | |
Richard (Michael) Gradon | | 64 | | Non-Executive Director | | May 2010 | | 2026 AGM | |
James (Jim) Lawrence | | 71 | | Non-Executive Director | | May 2017 | | 2025 AGM | |
Jennifer VanBelle | | 55 | | Non-Executive Director | | November 2021 | | 2025 AGM | |
Michael Walsh | | 57 | | Non-Executive Director | | May 2017 | | 2025 AGM | |
Robert (Bob) Warden | | 51 | | Non-Executive Director | | July 2006 | | 2026 AGM | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Officers | | | | | | | | | |
Peter Juhas | | 52 | | Chief Financial Officer | | | | | |
Peter Anderson | | 47 | | Chief Commercial Officer | | | | | |
Vincent Drouillard | | 48 | | General Counsel | | | | | |
Brian Canniffe | | 51 | | Group Treasurer | | | | | |
Anton Joiner | | 53 | | Chief Risk Officer | | | | | |
John Burke | | 53 | | Chief Technical Officer | | | | | |
Jorg Koletzki | | 56 | | Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer | | | | | |
Risteard Sheridan | | 49 | | Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer | | | | | |
Theresa Murray | | 56 | | Head of Human Resources | | | | | |
Bart Ligthart | | 42 | | Chief Investment Officer | | | | | |
Martin Olson | | 61 | | Head of OEM Relations | | | | | |
John Govan | | 52 | | Head of EMEA | | | | | |
Bashir Hajir | | 56 | | Head of Americas | | | | | |
Emmanuel Herinckx | | 51 | | Head of Asia Pacific | | | | | |
Richard Greener | | 52 | | Head of Cargo | | | | | |
Pat Sheedy | | 45 | | President and CEO, Milestone Aviation Group | | | | | |
Tom Slattery | | 53 | | Executive Vice President Engines | | | | | |
Dermot Manifold | | 57 | | Head of Commercial Operations | | | | | |
Aimee Craig | | 52 | | Chief Executive Officer, AerCap Materials | | | | | |
Julie Dickerson | | 57 | | Chief Executive Officer, Shannon Engine Support | | | | | |
(a)The term for each director ends at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (“AGM”) typically held in April or May of each year.
Directors
Our Board of Directors currently consists of ten directors, nine of whom are non-executive directors.
Paul Dacier. Mr. Dacier has been a Director of AerCap since May 27, 2010. He is also currently a partner with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP and he is on the Board of Directors of Progress Software Inc. (a software application development company). Until 2016, Mr. Dacier was Executive Vice President and General Counsel of EMC Corporation (an information infrastructure technology and solutions company), where he worked in various positions from 1990. Following this, he was, until December 2023, the general counsel at Indigo Agriculture, a privately held start-up company. He was a Non-Executive Director of GTY Technology Holdings Inc. from October 2016 until November 2019 and a Non-Executive Director of Genesis from November 2007 until the date of its amalgamation with AerCap International Bermuda Limited in March 2010. Prior to joining EMC, Mr. Dacier was an attorney with Apollo Computer Inc. (a computer workstation company) from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Dacier received a B.A. in history and a J.D. in 1983 from Marquette University. He is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of Wisconsin.
Aengus Kelly. Mr. Kelly was appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of AerCap on May 18, 2011. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer of AerCap’s U.S. operations from January 2008 to May 2011. Mr. Kelly served as AerCap’s Group Treasurer from 2005 through December 31, 2007. He started his career in the aviation leasing and financing business with Guinness Peat Aviation (“GPA”) in 1998 and continued working with its successors AerFi in Ireland and debis AirFinance and AerCap in Amsterdam. Prior to joining GPA in 1998, he spent three years with KPMG in Dublin. Mr. Kelly is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a Master’s degree in Accounting from University College, Dublin.
Julian (Brad) Branch. Mr. Branch has been a Director of AerCap since April 25, 2018. Mr. Branch most recently served Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd (Deloitte’s global organization) as Senior Advisor in the Office of the CEO and served the Boards of Deloitte Northwest Europe LP and of Deloitte’s Middle East practice. Mr. Branch’s professional career has spanned 40 years; he first qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in June 1979, and was a general partner of Deloitte entities in the U.S. including Deloitte & Touche LLP (accounting and auditing) and Deloitte Consulting LLP (consulting) for 29 years. His industry focus has been the air transportation industry; large global air carriers. Mr. Branch held a variety of global leadership roles with Deloitte, having lived and practiced outside of the U.S. for over a decade. Mr. Branch has vigorously supported the community through not-for-profit Board service, such as the Advisory Board of Emory University School of Ethics and the Duke University Heart Center. He received a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina. Mr. Branch recently undertook training in cybersecurity at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University.
Stacey Cartwright. Ms. Cartwright has been a Director of AerCap since April 24, 2019. She is also currently a Non-Executive Chair of Savills PLC and a Non-Executive Director of Genpact, Gymshark and Majid al Futtaim Entertainment. She also Chairs the Advisory Committee of Majid al Futtaim Lifestyle. Ms. Cartwright previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Nichols Group from 2014 to 2017 (and as Deputy Chairman in 2018), Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Burberry Group from 2004 to 2013, and Chief Financial Officer of Egg PLC from 1999 to 2003, having spent her early career with Granada Group. Ms. Cartwright was also a Non-Executive Director of GlaxoSmithKline PLC and a Senior Independent Director of the Football Association Ltd. Ms. Cartwright is a qualified chartered accountant and she received a BSc from the London School of Economics.
Rita Forst. Ms. Forst has been a Director of AerCap since April 24, 2019. She is also currently an independent business consultant in powertrain and vehicle technology, and serves as a member of the supervisory board of Norma Group SE. Ms. Forst is currently a Non-Executive Director of Westport Fuel Systems Inc. in Vancouver, Canada and of Johnson Matthey Plc in London, UK. In addition, Ms. Forst holds an advisory board position at iwis SE & Co. KG in Germany. Ms. Forst spent more than 35 years at the Opel European division of General Motors in senior engineering and management positions, and as a member of Opel’s management board. As such, Ms. Forst has been responsible for the development of new generations of engines and car models for Opel and General Motors. Ms. Forst holds Bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the Kettering University (U.S.) and the Darmstadt University of Applied Technology (Germany).
Richard (Michael) Gradon. Mr. Gradon has been a Director of AerCap since May 27, 2010. He is also currently a Non-Executive Director of Exclusive Hotels. He was a Non-Executive Director of Genesis from November 2007 until the date of its amalgamation with AerCap International Bermuda Limited in March 2010. He practiced law at Slaughter & May before joining the UK FTSE 100 company The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (“P&O”), where he was a main Board Director from 1998 until its takeover in 2006. His roles at P&O included the group commercial and legal director function and he served as Chairman of P&O’s property division. Mr. Gradon served on the board of The Wimbledon Tennis Championships from 2005 to 2019 and on the board of Grosvenor Limited from 2007 to 2015. In addition, Mr. Gradon served as Chairman of La Manga Club, Spain, and Chief Executive Officer of the London Gateway projects. Mr. Gradon holds an M.A. degree in law from Cambridge University.
James (Jim) Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence has been a Director of AerCap since May 5, 2017. He is currently Chairman of Lake Harriet Capital, a private investment firm. Previously, Mr. Lawrence served as Chairman of Rothschild North America and earlier as Chief Executive Officer of Rothschild North America and as co-head of global investment banking at Rothschild from 2010 to 2015. Prior to Rothschild, Mr. Lawrence was Chief Financial Officer of Unilever and he served as Executive Director on the boards of Unilever NV and Unilever PLC. He joined Unilever in 2007 after serving as the Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of General Mills for nine years. Prior to General Mills, Mr. Lawrence was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Airlines from 1996 to 1998, and before that Mr. Lawrence was a division President at PepsiCo, serving as CEO of Pepsi-Cola Asia, Middle East, Africa from 1992 to 1996. In 1983, he cofounded The LEK Partnership, a corporate strategy and merger/acquisition firm, headquartered in London. Before that he was a Partner of Bain and Company having opened their London and Munich offices. Prior to that, he worked for The Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Lawrence is currently a Non-Executive Director of Avnet Inc. and Smurfit Kappa Group. His aviation industry experience dates from 1990, and it includes, in addition to being the Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Airlines, serving on the boards of IAG (International Consolidated Airlines Group), Continental Airlines, TWA, Mesaba and British Airways. Since 1990, Mr. Lawrence has served on 16 public company boards, several private company boards and numerous non-profit boards. Mr. Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University and an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School.
Michael Walsh. Mr. Walsh has been a Director of AerCap since May 5, 2017. He is also a non-executive director of Uisce Éireann, the Irish government owned national water utility, and of Limerick Civic Trust, a charitable organization. He previously served as a Non-Executive Director, including Chairman, of a number of companies which finance and lease aircraft and trains throughout the world. Mr. Walsh has over 30 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director, senior executive and commercial lawyer in the aircraft leasing and financing industry. In 1989, he joined GPA Group plc, the aircraft leasing and financing company, and held a number of senior management positions, including General Counsel. Following the acquisition of GPA by debis AirFinance in 2000, Mr. Walsh was appointed General Counsel of debis AirFinance and held that position until 2002. From 2003 to 2005, he served as Chief Legal Officer of Bord Gáis Éireann, the Irish gas utility. From 1986 to 1989, he was a diplomat in the Irish Diplomatic Service. Mr. Walsh is a barrister and a law graduate of University College, Cork, Ireland. Mr. Walsh recently undertook training in cybersecurity at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University.
Robert (Bob) Warden. Mr. Warden has been a Director of AerCap since July 26, 2006. Mr. Warden is currently a Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group. Prior to joining Fortress in August 2023, Mr. Warden was Global Head of Private Equity at Cerberus Capital Management, where he worked for a total of 15 years (2002-2012 and 2018-2023). Mr. Warden has worked in the private equity industry for 30 years, including at Pamplona Capital Management, J.H. Whitney, Cornerstone Equity Investors, and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Warden received his A.B. from Brown University.
Jennifer VanBelle. Ms. VanBelle has been a Director of AerCap since November 1, 2021. She is currently Senior Vice President and Treasurer of GE and CEO of GE Capital. She also leads GE’s Separation Management Office, which is working to separate GE into three industry-leading, global public companies. Ms. VanBelle was named CEO of GE Capital in January 2021, expanding her role as GE Treasurer, which she assumed in 2018. Prior to her current roles, she held several leadership roles within GE across capital markets, risk management, treasury and finance, including GE Capital Markets Leader, GE Capital—Capital Management Risk Officer, and Deputy Treasurer. Before joining GE in 1998, Ms. VanBelle spent several years at Chemical Bank and ING. Ms. VanBelle holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Bates College and an MSc in Finance from the London Business School.
Officers
Peter Juhas. Mr. Juhas was appointed Chief Financial Officer of AerCap in April 2017, following his appointment as Deputy Chief Financial Officer in September 2015. Prior to joining AerCap, Mr. Juhas was Global Head of Strategic Planning at American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), where he led the development of the company’s strategic and capital plans, as well as mergers, acquisitions and other transactions, including the sale of ILFC to AerCap. Prior to joining AIG in 2011, Mr. Juhas was a Managing Director in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley from 2000 to 2011. While at Morgan Stanley, he led the IPO of AerCap in 2006 and was the lead advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank and the U.S. Treasury on the AIG restructuring and the placement of the U.S. government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship in 2008. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr. Juhas was an attorney in the Mergers and Acquisitions group at Sullivan & Cromwell, the New York law firm. Mr. Juhas received his A.B. from Harvard College and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Peter Anderson. Mr. Anderson was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in March 2021, overseeing AerCap’s worldwide leasing business, including marketing, pricing and commercial execution. During his career at AerCap, Mr. Anderson has served as Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa and as Head of Asia Pacific and China, managing AerCap’s leasing activities and teams in those regions. From 2011, Mr. Anderson worked in the leasing team at ILFC, establishing and leading the Singapore office until AerCap’s acquisition of ILFC in 2014. Mr. Anderson has also held positions at Hong Kong Aviation Capital and at Allco Finance Group in both Sydney and London, specializing in aircraft leasing and structured finance. Mr. Anderson earned his Master of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia, and his B.A. from the University of Technology Sydney.
Vincent Drouillard. Mr. Drouillard was appointed General Counsel on June 1, 2018. He previously served in the role of Head of Legal Leasing at AerCap, a position he held from 2015 to 2018. He joined ILFC in 2004 and last served as Head of Legal EMEA, prior to the acquisition of ILFC by AerCap. Mr. Drouillard practiced law at the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, before joining ILFC. He received law degrees from King’s College London, the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and the University of Paris X Nanterre. Mr. Drouillard is a member of the New York State Bar and the State Bar of California.
Brian Canniffe. Mr. Canniffe was appointed Group Treasurer of AerCap in January 2018, previously serving as Head of Investor Relations since joining the Company in October 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience in banking, lending and the capital markets. Prior to joining AerCap, Mr. Canniffe served as Managing Director and Head of Global Markets Financing for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong and Tokyo, where he led a division that was responsible for providing secured financing, trading, clearing, reporting and various treasury functions in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, he held roles within the financing divisions at Nomura Securities and Bankers Trust International.
Anton Joiner. Mr. Joiner was appointed Chief Risk Officer in 2011 with responsibility for portfolio risk management, workouts, repossessions and debtor management. He joined AerCap in 2001 and has held a variety of positions. Prior to joining AerCap, Mr. Joiner held positions with Scotia Capital, Commercial Aviation Group and Hunting Cargo Airlines. He has a Master’s degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield College of Aeronautics.
John Burke. Mr. Burke was promoted to the position of Chief Technical Officer of AerCap in June 2022, following his appointment to Deputy Chief Technical Officer in 2018. He previously served as Head of Technical EMEA from 2014 to 2018. From 2008, Mr. Burke worked at ILFC where he headed the technical group responsible for the EMEA region until AerCap’s acquisition of ILFC in 2014. He spent six years at TransAer International Airlines, where he worked internationally in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas in various roles. He began his career as an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Apprentice at SRS Aviation, an Aer Lingus subsidiary, where he qualified as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Mr. Burke holds a Bachelor of Business in Aviation and Transport from Carlow Institute of Technology and is an EASA 66 Licenced Engineer. He also holds an FAA A&P Licence and an FAA Private Pilot’s Licence.
Jorg Koletzki. Mr. Koletzki was appointed Chief Information Officer of AerCap in September 2015 and Chief Information Security Officer in 2023. He has significant experience in managing complex system implementations on a global scale, transforming IT functions and running high quality teams. His experience extends to working within large multinational companies including IBM, Volkswagen, National Grid and E.ON.
Risteard Sheridan. Mr. Sheridan was appointed Company Secretary in May 2020 and Chief Compliance Officer in 2019. He joined AerCap in April 2017 as Head of Internal Audit. Prior to joining AerCap, he gained extensive experience advising companies on governance, financial reporting and control/process matters while working with the professional services firms KPMG and EY. Mr. Sheridan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Legal Studies and a Master’s degree in Accounting from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Theresa Murray. Ms. Murray was appointed Head of Human Resources in October 2016. She has over 25 years’ experience across all HR disciplines. Prior to joining AerCap she held the position of International HR Director at Nuance Communications. Throughout her career she has held a variety of HR and management roles, including senior positions at Telefonica and Lucent Technologies.
Bart Ligthart. Mr. Ligthart joined the AerCap Trading team in 2007. He was appointed to the position of Head of Trading and Portfolio Management in September 2018 and as Chief Investment Officer in March 2022. Mr. Ligthart has over 15 years’ experience in aircraft trading and portfolio management in both wide and narrowbody aircraft. Prior to joining AerCap he worked at Deloitte and Touche in Amsterdam where he served as Manager Transactions Services. Mr. Ligthart received his B.A in Commercial Economics from Inholland University, and his MSc in Finance Management from Nyenrode Business University.
Martin Olson. Mr. Olson assumed the position of Head of OEM Relations following the acquisition of ILFC by AerCap. He previously served in the role of Senior Vice President at ILFC. Mr. Olson heads AerCap’s OEM Relations Department, responsible for purchasing new aircraft and engines. He joined ILFC in 1995 after ten years with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Mr. Olson is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
John Govan. Mr. Govan was promoted to the position of Head of EMEA in March 2021. He previously served in the role of Vice President Leasing from 2016 to 2021. In his role, Mr. Govan is responsible for AerCap’s leasing activities across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining AerCap, he worked in the Technical team at SMBC Aviation Capital, formerly RBS Aviation Capital, as VP Technical and was subsequently promoted to the role of SVP Airline Marketing, followed by SVP OEM Relations. Mr. Govan began his aviation career as an Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Apprentice at Lufthansa Technik, formerly Shannon Aerospace, where he qualified as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician in 1992.
Bashir Hajjar. Mr. Hajjar assumed the position of Head of Americas in October 2018. In his role Mr. Hajjar is responsible for AerCap’s leasing activities across the Americas. He brings over 30 years of wide-ranging experience in the aviation industry from aircraft manufacturing to aircraft leasing and airline management. Prior to joining AerCap he held various positions in the Fleet Planning group for Continental Airlines and the Aircraft Marketing group at McDonnell Douglas. Mr. Hajjar began his aviation career in engineering, at McDonnell Douglas, Eastern Airlines and Continental Airlines. Mr. Hajjar holds a Masters of Business Administration from California State University Long Beach, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Saint Louis University, and an FAA Airframe and Power Plant Certificate.
Emmanuel Herinckx. Mr. Herinckx was appointed to the position of Head of Asia Pacific in July 2019. He oversees AerCap’s leasing activities across Asia Pacific and China from our office in Singapore. Mr. Herinckx joined AerCap in September 2006 as Vice President Marketing Asia Pacific. Prior to joining AerCap he worked in the Airline Marketing Departments of Airbus North America Sales, INC, Washington D.C., USA and Airbus SAS, Toulouse, France for a period of seven years. Mr. Herinckx holds a Master of Science in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, United Kingdom.
Richard Greener. Mr. Greener assumed the position of Head of Cargo following AerCap’s acquisition of GECAS in November 2021. He is responsible for AerCap’s global cargo aircraft strategy and portfolio. Mr. Greener joined GECAS in 2001, and was subsequently promoted to Senior Vice President of Specialty Markets, including cargo and regional aircraft. He began his career in business development and marketing with BAE Systems, Airbus and has over 30 years’ experience in the aerospace industry. Mr. Greener holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and Management Studies from the University of the West of England.
Pat Sheedy. Mr. Sheedy is President and CEO of Milestone Aviation. He has over 20 years of international financial services experience, including having previously led the underwriting and portfolio management function at Milestone Aviation and also having overall risk responsibility for GE Engine Leasing and GECAS’ Cargo business. Prior to joining Milestone, he spent the majority of his career working in commercial aircraft leasing, with a particular focus on Emerging Markets, covering the Middle East, Africa and Russia. He qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in Ireland, where he spent four years in several roles including audit and assurance, corporate finance and corporate recovery, prior to joining GE in 2004. Mr. Sheedy obtained his Bachelor of Business Studies degree from University of Limerick and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Tom Slattery. Mr. Slattery assumed the role of Executive Vice President of AerCap Engines following the acquisition of GECAS by AerCap in November 2021. Mr. Slattery heads the engine asset management activity of AerCap, responsible for the spare engine leasing business and the installed engine operations. He joined GE Aviation in 2000 as an engineer working on engine overhaul economics, followed by assuming several roles at GECAS, including sales and technical leadership, and in 2018, he was appointed EVP GECAS Engines. Mr. Slattery holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business from Cranfield University.
Dermot Manifold. Mr. Manifold was appointed Head of Commercial Operations following AerCap’s acquisition of GECAS in November 2021. He has 30 years of industry experience including management roles with responsibility for finance, pricing, asset purchasing, portfolio management and strategy. Immediately prior to joining AerCap he was EVP Commercial Operations at GECAS with responsibility for new aircraft acquisitions, portfolio placement and pricing. He qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC in Ireland, where he spent four years in roles including audit, accounting, tax and insolvency, prior to joining GE in 1993. Mr. Manifold has a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from University of Limerick and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland since 2003.
Aimee Craig. Ms. Craig was appointed CEO of AerCap Materials following AerCap’s acquisition of GECAS in November 2021. She joined GECAS in 2006 as Director of Inventory Management, overseeing asset valuation, market analysis, technical support and repair management activities. Ms. Craig has over 30 years of industry experience, including contract management, business development, fleet analysis and asset management. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.A. in Executive Leadership from Liberty University.
Julie Dickerson. Ms. Dickerson was appointed CEO of SES in January 2013. Under her leadership, SES is now the world’s largest CFM engine lessor. Ms. Dickerson has a long history in aviation leasing. Prior to her role at SES, Ms. Dickerson was at GECAS for over 15 years, where she held various roles, including Senior Vice President and General Manager of GECAS Engine Leasing. Ms. Dickerson obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Compensation
Compensation of non-executive directors
We currently pay each non-executive director an annual fee of €95,000 (€200,000 for the Chairman of our Board of Directors) and pay each of these directors an additional €4,000 per meeting attended in person or €1,000 per meeting attended by phone. In addition, we pay the chair of the Audit Committee an annual fee of €25,000 and each Audit Committee member an annual fee of €15,000 and a fee of €4,000 per committee meeting attended in person or €1,000 per committee meeting attended by phone. We further pay the non-executive chair of each of the Nomination and Compensation Committee, the ESG Committee, the Group Treasury and Accounting Committee and the Group Portfolio and Investment Committee an annual fee of €15,000 and each such committee member an annual fee of €10,000 and a fee of €4,000 per committee meeting attended in person or €1,000 per committee meeting attended by phone. The aggregate amount of fees paid to our non-executive directors during the year ended December 31, 2023 was $2 million.
In addition, our non-executive directors receive an annual equity award as provided for in AerCap’s remuneration policy for members of the Board of Directors and in accordance with the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan 2014. The size of the annual equity award to our non-executive directors increased, effective as of December 31, 2015, following a market compensation analysis conducted by an independent benefits advisory firm and in accordance with the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan 2014. The annual equity award may be supplemented by additional awards in line with AerCap’s remuneration policy in order to meet the compensation goals of the Company. As of December 31, 2023, our non-executive directors held 211,328 restricted stock units (our non-executive directors did not hold any shares of restricted stock as of December 31, 2023); these equity awards have been granted under the AerCap equity incentive plans, as further described below. All members of the Board of Directors are reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors.
Executive compensation
The aviation leasing business is highly competitive. As the global leader in aviation leasing, we seek to attract and retain the most talented and successful officers to manage our business and to motivate them with appropriate incentives to execute our strategy and to promote and encourage continued superior performance over a prolonged period of time, in support of achieving the objectives of long-term value creation. We have designed our compensation plans to meet these objectives.
| | | | | | | | |
Compensation goal | | How goal is accomplished |
Attract and retain leading executive talent | | • Design compensation elements to enable us to compete effectively for executive talent |
| | • Selectively retain executives acquired through business transactions considering industry and functional knowledge, leadership abilities and fit with Company culture |
| | • Perform market analysis to stay informed of compensation trends and practices |
Align executive pay with shareholder interests | | • Concentrate executive pay heavily in equity compensation |
| | • Require robust equity ownership and retention |
| | • Motivate senior executives with meaningful incentives to generate long-term returns |
Pay for performance | | • Pay annual bonuses based on performance against one-year budgeted target set by the Nomination and Compensation Committee |
| | • Reward long-term growth and value creation |
| | • Tie long-term incentive program awards to the achievement of earnings per share (“EPS”) targets set by the Nomination and Compensation Committee |
| | • Reward high performers with above-target pay when predetermined goals are exceeded |
Manage risk | | • Prohibit hedging of Company securities and pledging of AerCap equity prior to vesting |
| | • Emphasize long-term performance by designing equity award opportunities to minimize short-term focus and influence on compensation payouts |
| | • Subject the executive director’s incentive compensation to clawback provisions under SEC rules and Dutch law |
As of December 31, 2023, our Group Executive Committee members were Aengus Kelly, Peter Juhas and Peter Anderson. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid an aggregate of approximately $9.3 million in cash (base salary and bonuses) and benefits as compensation to our Group Executive Committee members, including approximately $0.4 million as part of their retirement and pension plans.
The compensation packages of our Group Executive Committee members (other than our Chief Executive Officer) and certain other officers, consisting of base salary, annual bonus and, for some officers, annual stock bonus, along with other benefits, are determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis. In addition, upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Nomination and Compensation Committee may grant long-term equity incentive awards to our officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer) on a non-recurring basis under our equity incentive plans, as further outlined below. The compensation package of our Chief Executive Officer, consisting of base salary, annual bonus, annual stock bonus and a long-term equity incentive award, along with other benefits, is determined by the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee, in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders.
The amount of the annual bonus and, if applicable, the amount of the annual stock bonus granted to our Group Executive Committee members and other participating officers are determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee (or, in the case of our Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nomination and Compensation Committee) based on the Company’s performance relative to the U.S. GAAP EPS budget for the relevant year and the personal performance of the individual Group Executive Committee member or other officer involved. The Company’s U.S. GAAP EPS budget and target bonus levels are typically determined before the beginning of the relevant year. The annual bonus amounts and the annual stock bonuses are paid or granted, as the case may be, in arrears. As a matter of policy, actual bonus amounts will be below target level in years that the EPS target is not met, unless specific circumstances require otherwise which circumstances, if any, will be disclosed in this annual report. The annual stock bonuses vest after three years or, if earlier, at the end of the officer’s employment term.
Our long-term equity incentive program is designed to retain our most talented and successful officers and to incentivize continued superior performance, in accordance with the Company’s long-term objectives, for the benefit of our shareholders and other stakeholders. The majority of the long-term equity awards have vesting periods ranging between three years and five years, and the vesting of 66.67% of each award is conditional upon the achievement of the Company’s U.S. GAAP EPS budget over the multi-year vesting period, as determined by the Board of Directors (33.33% of each award is subject to time-based vesting). The awards will cliff vest, subject to meeting the vesting conditions, at the end of the vesting period, i.e., there will be no vesting in the interim, and all shares will remain at risk until the end of the vesting period. If the EPS target is not met, then none or only a portion of the performance-based shares will vest, with the remaining performance-based shares being forfeited. None of the performance-based shares will vest if 84.5% or less of the EPS target is met, which indicates the stringency of the program. A portion of the performance-based shares will vest, as specified in the award agreements, if between 84.5% and 100% of the EPS target is met, and all performance-based shares will vest if the EPS target is met or exceeded. No more than 100% of the performance-based shares will vest, even if the EPS target is exceeded. In the event of a change of control of the Company, the shares will immediately vest. We believe that the design of our long-term equity incentive program promotes and encourages continued superior performance over a prolonged period of time in support of achieving the objectives of long-term value creation. Refer to Note 19—Share-based compensation to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details on our equity incentive plans.
The Company is subject to the Netherlands’ Clawback of Bonuses Act. Pursuant to this legislation, bonuses paid to the executive director (and other directors, as defined under the articles of association, provided they are in charge of day-to-day management) may be clawed back if awarded on the basis of incorrect information. In addition, any bonus that has been awarded to the executive director (and other directors, as defined under the articles of association, provided they are in charge of day-to-day management) may be reduced if, under the circumstances, payment of the bonus would be unacceptable.
As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any directors (other than the executive director) who were in charge of day-to-day management.
The Company is also subject to NYSE listing standards that require listed companies to adopt clawback policies that mandate recovery by listed companies of certain incentive-based compensation awarded to current and former executives in the event of an accounting restatement. Refer to Exhibit 10.1—AerCap Holdings N.V. Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy for the clawback policy that is intended to satisfy the NYSE listing requirements, which became effective on October 2, 2023.
AerCap equity incentive plans
Under our equity incentive plans, we have granted restricted stock units, restricted stock and, previously, stock options to directors, officers and employees to attract and retain them on competitive terms, and to incentivize superior performance with a view to creating long-term value for the benefit of the Company, its shareholders and other stakeholders.
The table below indicates the equity awards the Company granted to our Group Executive Committee members and their equity awards that vested in 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2023 Granted | | 2023 Vested |
Aengus Kelly | 28,890 | | (a) | | 684,812 | | (b) |
Peter Juhas | — | | | | — | | |
Peter Anderson | — | | | | — | | |
(a)Grant of 28,890 shares of restricted stock.
(b)Vesting of 684,812 shares of restricted stock.
The table below indicates the years in which equity awards held by our Group Executive Committee members as of December 31, 2023 are due to vest, subject to meeting the applicable vesting criteria. The awards may comprise restricted stock or restricted stock units, as specified in the paragraph below regarding share ownership:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2025 | | 2026 | | | | |
Aengus Kelly | | | 2,053,996 | | | 1,453,308 | | | | | |
Peter Juhas | | | 151,625 | | | 136,055 | | | | | |
Peter Anderson | | | 313,953 | | | — | | | | | |
We require our Group Executive Committee members to own Company ordinary shares having a value equal to at least five times their annual base salary (ten times in the case of the Chief Executive Officer), in order to further align their interests with the long-term interests of our shareholders. This threshold amount includes ordinary shares owned outright, vested stock-based equity awards, time-based restricted stock and time-based restricted stock units, whether or not vested, and any stock-based equity that the executive has elected to defer. New Group Executive Committee members have a five-year grace period to meet this threshold. In addition, each Group Executive Committee member is required to hold, post vesting, 25% of the net ordinary shares (50% for our Chief Executive Officer) (after satisfaction of any exercise price or tax withholding obligations), delivered to him or her pursuant to Company equity awards since January 1, 2007, for so long as such member remains employed by the Company (or, if earlier, until such member reaches 65 years of age). Sales of Company ordinary shares are conducted with a view to avoiding undue impact on the Company’s ordinary share price and in compliance with laws and regulations. Each member must consult with the Chairman before executing any sale of the Company’s ordinary shares.
Our policies prohibit our directors, officers and employees from trading in Company securities on the basis of material non-public information, or engaging in hedging and other “short” transactions involving Company securities. In addition, our directors, officers and employees are prohibited from pledging equity incentive awards prior to vesting.
Refer to Note 19—Share-based compensation to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for more details on our equity incentive plans.
Board Practices
General
Our Board of Directors currently consists of ten directors, nine of whom are non-executive directors.
As a foreign private issuer, as defined by the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, we are not required to have a majority independent Board of Directors under applicable NYSE rules. Under the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (the “Dutch Code”), for a non-executive director to be considered “independent,” he or she (and his or her spouse and immediate relatives) may not, among other things, (i) in the five years prior to his or her appointment, have been an employee or executive director of us or any public company affiliated with us; (ii) in the year prior to his or her appointment, have had an important business relationship with us or any public company affiliated with us; (iii) receive any financial compensation from us other than for the performance of his or her duties as a director or other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) hold 10% or more of our ordinary shares (including ordinary shares subject to any shareholder’s agreement); (v) be a member of the management or Supervisory Board of a company owning 10% or more of our ordinary shares; (vi) in the year prior to his or her appointment, have temporarily managed our day-to-day affairs while the executive director was unable to discharge his or her duties; or (vii) be a member of the management board of a company in which a member of the management board of the company which he supervises is a supervisory board member. The Dutch Code contains principles and best practices for Dutch companies with listed shares, and requires companies to either comply with the best practice provisions of the Dutch Code or to explain why they deviate from these best practice provisions. Three of our non-executive directors (out of a total of nine) have served in excess of 12 years in deviation of the best practice provisions in the Dutch Code. However, we believe that the current composition of the Board enables it to operate effectively and independently, considering that the non-executive directors are carefully selected based upon their combined experience and expertise. The average tenure of our non-executive directors as of December 31, 2023, was 8.4 years.
The directors are appointed by the general meeting of the shareholders. Our directors may be appointed by the vote of a majority of votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders provided that our Board of Directors has proposed the appointment. Without a Board of Directors proposal, directors may also be appointed by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders if the majority represents at least one-third of our issued capital.
Shareholders may remove or suspend a director by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders, provided that our Board of Directors has proposed the removal. Our shareholders may also remove or suspend a director, without there being a proposal by the Board of Directors, by the vote of a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of shareholders if the majority represents at least one-third of our issued capital.
Under our articles of association, the rules for the Board of Directors and the board committees, and Dutch corporate law, the members of the Board of Directors are collectively responsible for the management, general and financial affairs, policy, and strategy of our company.
The executive director is our Chief Executive Officer, who is primarily responsible for managing our day-to-day affairs as well as other responsibilities that have been delegated to the executive director in accordance with our articles of association and our internal rules for the Board of Directors. The non-executive directors supervise the Chief Executive Officer and our general affairs and provide general advice to our Chief Executive Officer. In performing their duties, the non-executive directors are guided by the interests of the Company and shall, within the boundaries set by relevant Dutch law, take into account the relevant interests of our shareholders and other stakeholders in AerCap. The internal affairs of the Board of Directors are governed by our rules for the Board of Directors.
The Chairman of the Board is responsible for ensuring, among other things, that (i) each director receives all information about matters that he or she may deem useful or necessary in connection with the proper performance of his or her duties; (ii) each director has sufficient time for consultation and decision making; and (iii) the Board of Directors and the board committees are properly constituted and functioning.
Each director has the right to cast one vote and may be represented at a meeting of the Board of Directors by a fellow director. The Board of Directors may pass resolutions only if a quorum of four directors, including our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman or, in his absence, an alternative non-executive director who has been charged by the Board of Directors to act as chairman, are present at the meeting. Resolutions must be passed by a majority of the votes cast. If there is a tie, the matter will be decided by the Chairman of the meeting. Subject to Dutch law, resolutions of the Board of Directors may be passed in writing by a majority of the directors in office. Pursuant to Dutch laws and the Board Rules, a director may not participate in discussions or the decision-making process on a transaction or subject in relation to which he or she has a conflict of interest with us. Resolutions to enter into such transactions must be approved by our Board of Directors, excluding such interested director or directors.
In 2023, the Board of Directors met on 14 occasions. Throughout the year, the Chairman of the Board and individual non-executive directors were in close contact with our Chief Executive Officer and the other Group Executive Committee members. During its meetings and contacts with the Chief Executive Officer and the other Group Executive Committee members, the Board discussed such topics as capital allocation strategies and share repurchases, the impact of the Ukraine Conflict, including related insurance claims and insurance policy litigation, AerCap’s annual reports and annual accounts for the financial year 2022, topics for the AGM 2023, secured and unsecured financing transactions and AerCap’s liquidity position, AerCap’s hedging policies, the utilization and optimization of AerCap’s portfolio of aircraft, global and regional macroeconomic, monetary, political and geopolitical developments including the impact of hostilities in the Middle-East, AerCap key customer developments, competitive landscape, aircraft valuations, AerCap’s backlog of new technology orders with aircraft and engine manufacturers, AerCap shareholder value, AerCap key shareholder developments, AerCap’s corporate and tax structure, BEPS 2.0 and Pillar Two tax rules, cybersecurity, reports from the various Board committees, budgeting and financial planning, ESG-related topics, remuneration and compensation, directors’ and officers’ succession planning, regulatory compliance, culture and values, sustainability and community, governance, risk management and control and an assessment of the Board’s own functioning.
Composition of the Board
The members of our Board of Directors are from diverse professional backgrounds and combine a broad spectrum of experience and expertise with a reputation for integrity. The Board of Directors as a whole possesses a wide range of core competencies, professional backgrounds and skill sets, as outlined in the Board profile, which is determined by the Board each year. The Board Profile, which is available on the website of the Company, sets out the Board’s policy in relation to Board composition and diversity, and associated targets. The highlights of this policy include that the Board of Directors shall aim for a diverse composition, in line with the global nature and identity of the Company and its business, in terms of such factors as nationality, background, gender and age. We are committed to advancing female representation on our Board of Directors, as we believe that greater diversity of the Board of Directors will have a positive impact. Candidate directors are primarily selected on the basis of core competencies, professional backgrounds and skill sets as outlined in the Board profile. The Board of Directors comprises at least one financial expert.
Committees of the Board of Directors
As described above, the Chief Executive Officer is primarily responsible for managing our day-to-day affairs as well as other duties that have been delegated to the executive director in accordance with our articles of association and our internal rules for the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has established a Group Executive Committee, a Group Portfolio and Investment Committee, a Group Treasury and Accounting Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nomination and Compensation Committee and an ESG Committee.
Group Executive Committee
We maintain a Group Executive Committee, which is tasked with assisting the Chief Executive Officer with the operational management of the Company, subject to the Chief Executive Officer’s ultimate responsibility. It is chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and is comprised of officers appointed by the Nomination and Compensation Committee. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our Group Executive Committee were Aengus Kelly, Peter Juhas and Peter Anderson. The members of the Group Executive Committee assist the Chief Executive Officer in performing his duties and as such have managerial and policy making functions within the Company in their respective areas of responsibility. Members of the Group Executive Committee regularly attend Board meetings.
Group Portfolio and Investment Committee
Our Group Portfolio and Investment Committee is entrusted with the authority to consent to transactions relating to the acquisition and disposal of aircraft, engines and financial assets that are in excess of $250 million but less than $600 million, among others. It is chaired by our Chief Financial Officer and is comprised of non-executive directors and officers appointed by the Nomination and Compensation Committee. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our Group Portfolio and Investment Committee were Peter Juhas (Chair), Rita Forst, Aengus Kelly, Bart Ligthart and Robert (Bob) Warden.
Group Treasury and Accounting Committee
Our Group Treasury and Accounting Committee is entrusted with the authority to consent to debt funding in excess of $250 million but less than $600 million per transaction, among others. It is chaired by our Chief Financial Officer and is comprised of non-executive directors and officers appointed by the Nomination and Compensation Committee. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our Group Treasury and Accounting Committee were Peter Juhas (Chair), Brian Canniffe, Paul Dacier, Aengus Kelly and Robert (Bob) Warden.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to the integrity of our financial statements, our risk management and internal control arrangements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, oversight of risks from cybersecurity threats, the performance, qualifications and independence of our external auditors, and the performance of the internal audit function, among others. The Audit Committee is comprised of non-executive directors who are “independent” as defined by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. At least one of them shall have the necessary financial qualifications. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our Audit Committee were James (Jim) Lawrence (Chair), Julian (Brad) Branch, Richard (Michael) Gradon, and Michael Walsh.
In 2023, the Audit Committee met on six occasions. Throughout the year, the members of the Audit Committee were in close contact with our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our internal auditors and our external auditors. Principal items discussed and reviewed during these Audit Committee meetings and with our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer included the annual and quarterly financial statements and disclosures, internal auditors’ reports, external auditors’ reports, external auditors’ independence and rotation, activities and results in respect of our continued compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the external auditors’ audit plan for 2023, approval of other services rendered by the external auditors, the internal auditors’ audit plan for 2024, the impact of the Ukraine Conflict, ESG-related topics, BEPS 2.0 and Pillar Two tax rules, the Company’s compliance, risk management, integrity and fraud policies, information systems and cybersecurity, the impact of regulatory and reporting developments, the expenses incurred by the Company’s most senior officers in carrying out their duties, the Company’s tax planning policies, insurance matters, key transformation projects, the functioning of the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee charter and the Audit Committee cycle. The Audit Committee had separate sessions with the external auditors and with the internal auditors without management being present.
Nomination and Compensation Committee
Our Nomination and Compensation Committee selects and recruits candidates for the positions of Chief Executive Officer, non-executive director and Chairman of the Board of Directors and recommends their remuneration, bonuses and other terms of employment or engagement to the Board of Directors. In addition, our Nomination and Compensation Committee approves the remuneration, bonuses and other terms of employment of the Group Executive Committee and certain other officers and appoints members of the Group Executive Committee, the Group Portfolio and Investment Committee, the Group Treasury and Accounting Committee and recommends candidates for the Audit Committee and plans the succession within the Board of Directors and committees. It is chaired by the Chairman of our Board of Directors and is further comprised of up to four non-executive directors appointed by the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our Nomination and Compensation Committee were Paul Dacier (Chair), Michael Walsh, Jennifer VanBelle, Robert (Bob) Warden and Stacey Cartwright.
In 2023, the Nomination and Compensation Committee met on two occasions. At these meetings it discussed and approved succession planning and compensation related occurrences, impact of regulatory and reporting developments, and developments within the framework of the Board and Committee Rules and our remuneration policy.
None of our Nomination and Compensation Committee members or our officers has a relationship that would constitute an interlocking relationship with officers or directors of another entity or insider participation in compensation decisions.
ESG Committee
Our ESG Committee assists the Board of Directors in defining and reviewing the Company’s strategy relating to ESG and developing and maintaining the policies, programs, targets and initiatives in this space. This approach is designed to provide dedicated oversight of ESG-related issues, risks and opportunities at the highest level. The ESG Committee comprises three board-level independent directors and three members of the AerCap senior leadership team. As of December 31, 2023, the members of our ESG Committee were Stacey Cartwright (Chair), Julian (Brad) Branch, Rita Forst, Peter Juhas, Joseph McGinley and Tom Slattery.
In 2023, the ESG Committee met on four occasions. At these meetings it discussed and reviewed our approach to ESG- related topics and other values that we believe contribute to a culture focused on long-term value creation, the ongoing deployment of the Company’s ESG strategy, engagement with staff and stakeholders, AerCap’s role in sustainability initiatives, industry engagement and initiatives, regulatory developments, external reporting and compliance matters and community and social involvement by the Company.
Share ownership
The following table presents beneficial ownership of our shares which were held by our directors and Group Executive Committee members as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ordinary shares (unrestricted) | | Restricted stock (a) | | Restricted stock units (a) (b) | | | | Fully diluted ownership percentage (c) | | | |
Directors: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paul Dacier (Chairman) | 24,275 | | | — | | | 28,919 | | | | | * | | | |
Aengus Kelly (d) | 2,131,648 | | | 3,283,054 | | | 250,000 | | | | | 2.7 | % | | | |
Julian (Brad) Branch | 22,466 | | | — | | | 22,732 | | | | | * | | | |
Stacey Cartwright | 13,602 | | | — | | | 21,813 | | | | | * | | | |
Rita Forst | 15,602 | | | — | | | 21,813 | | | | | * | | | |
Richard (Michael) Gradon | 10,600 | | | — | | | 22,732 | | | | | * | | | |
James (Jim) Lawrence | 10,400 | | | — | | | 26,199 | | | | | * | | | |
Michael Walsh | 17,250 | | | — | | | 25,307 | | | | | * | | | |
Robert (Bob) Warden | 29,085 | | | — | | | 21,813 | | | | | * | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Jennifer VanBelle | — | | | — | | | 20,000 | | | | | * | | | |
Total Directors | 2,274,928 | | | 3,283,054 | | | 461,328 | | | | | | | | |
Group Executive Committee (GEC) Members: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Peter Juhas | 145,148 | | | 327,237 | | | 37,500 | | | | | * | | | |
Peter Anderson | 36,296 | | | 382,238 | | | — | | | | | * | | | |
Total Directors and GEC Members | 2,456,372 | | | 3,992,529 | | | 498,828 | | | | | | | | |
*Less than 1.0%.
(a)As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units are expected to vest as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vesting year | | | | 2025 | | 2026 | | | | Total |
| | | | (in shares) |
Restricted stock and Restricted stock units | | | | 2,655,504 | | | 1,835,853 | | | | | 4,491,357 | |
(b)Payroll tax will be withheld and deducted from the ordinary shares to be delivered at the vesting of restricted stock units, as applicable.
(c)Percentage amount assumes the vesting and exercise of all time-based and performance-based equity awards at target in this table, and no vesting or exercise of any other equity awards.
(d)Mr. Kelly is our Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Director of the Board.
All of our ordinary shares have the same voting rights.
The address for all of our directors and officers is c/o AerCap Holdings N.V., AerCap House, 65 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, D02 YX20, Ireland.
Employees
The following table presents the number of employees relating to our aviation leasing business at each of our principal geographic locations as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
Location | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Ireland | | 468 | | | 431 | | | 479 | |
United States | | 121 | | | 120 | | | 141 | |
Singapore | | 59 | | | 57 | | | 65 | |
Other (a) | | 31 | | | 33 | | | 51 | |
Total (b) | | 679 | | | 641 | | | 736 | |
(a)Includes employees located in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and France.
(b)Includes one part-time employee as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and six part-time employees as of December 31, 2021.
None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and we believe that we maintain excellent employee relations.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Major shareholders
Beneficial holders of 5% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of December 31, 2023, based on available public filings, include: Wellington Management Company, LLP at 10.2% (20,633,525 shares) and Eagle Capital Management, LLC (NY) at 6.2% (12,628,278 shares).
AerCap completed the acquisition of the GECAS business from GE on November 1, 2021. Immediately following the completion of the GECAS Transaction, GE held approximately 46% of AerCap’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. As a result of several sales of their shares during the year ended December 31, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares as of December 31, 2023.
We do not register the jurisdiction of all record holders as this information is not always available. Specifically, the number of record holders in the United States, or in many regions outside the United States, is not known to the Company and cannot be ascertained from public filings. All of our ordinary shares have the same voting rights.
Related party transactions
Refer to Note 10—Associated companies, Note 29—Variable interest entities and Note 30—Related party transactions to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for further details of transactions and loans between the Company and its related parties.
The below disclosure regarding related party transactions with GE is provided because GE and its subsidiaries were considered AerCap related parties between the Closing Date and November 16, 2023, when GE sold its remaining AerCap ordinary shares in a secondary public offering.
Shareholders’ Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and Noteholder Agreement with GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. and GE
Under the terms of the GECAS transaction agreement, GE received 111.5 million newly issued AerCap ordinary shares, approximately $23 billion of cash and $1 billion of AerCap senior notes. As a condition to the closing of the GECAS Transaction, AerCap and GE entered into a shareholders’ agreement (the “Shareholders’ Agreement”), a registration rights agreement and a noteholder agreement. Following the transactions described under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions—The Share Repurchases,” as of November 16, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding shares and the Shareholders’ Agreement automatically terminated.
The Share Repurchases
On March 13, 2023, we announced the completion of an underwritten secondary offering (the “March Secondary Offering”) of 23.0 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a price to the public of $58.50 per ordinary share. Concurrent with the March Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 8.8 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase program at a price of $56.89 per ordinary share.
On September 14, 2023, we announced the completion of a second underwritten secondary offering (the “September Secondary Offering”) of 46.8 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a public price of $59.00 per ordinary share. As part of the September Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 17.5 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase programs at a price of $57.53 per ordinary share.
On November 16, 2023, we announced the completion of a third underwritten secondary offering (the “November Secondary Offering”) of 30.7 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a public price of $65.25 per ordinary share. As part of the November Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 7.9 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase programs at a price of $63.62 per ordinary share. Upon completion of this offering and the concurrent share repurchase, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares.
Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement, when we repurchased shares from other shareholders in the open market, GE was entitled to cause us to repurchase a ratable portion of its shares.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased an aggregate of 36.4 million of our ordinary shares from GE for approximately $2.1 billion, at an average price of $58.86 per ordinary share.
Board Nomination Rights
The completion of the sale of our outstanding shares by GE resulted in the termination of GE’s right to designate directors for election to our Board of Directors. In November 2023, one of GE’s previous designees, Mr. Raby, resigned from our Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the termination of GE’s right to designate directors, one of GE’s previous designees, Ms. VanBelle, has remained on our Board of Directors.
Standstill provisions
Until May 17, 2024, the date that is six months after the first business day on which GE owned less than 10% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares, GE is subject to customary standstill provisions.
Item 8. Financial Information
Consolidated statements and other financial information
Please refer to pages F-1 through F-65 of this annual report. Significant changes
Please refer to Note 33—Subsequent events to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for a discussion of significant changes.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
Offer and listing details
Not applicable.
Markets
AerCap’s ordinary shares are traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AER.
AerCap’s 5.875% Fixed-Rate Reset Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079 are traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AER79.
Item 10. Additional Information
Memorandum and articles of association
Set forth below is a summary description of our ordinary shares and related material provisions of our articles of association and of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code (“Boek 2 van het Burgerlijk Wetboek”), which governs the rights of holders of our ordinary shares. Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” for a discussion of Netherlands laws and our internal rules concerning directors’ power to vote on proposals in which they are materially interested.
Ordinary share capital
Pursuant to our articles of association, our ordinary shares may only be held in registered form. All of our ordinary shares are registered in a register kept by us or on our behalf by our transfer agent. Transfer of registered shares requires a written deed of transfer and the acknowledgment by AerCap, subject to provisions stemming from private international law. Our ordinary shares are, in general, freely transferable.
Regulatory obligations regarding certain share transactions
Cash Manager Limited, which is a subsidiary of AerCap, is subject to regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland. As a result, the acquisition or disposal directly or indirectly of interests in AerCap shares or similar interests may be subject to regulatory requirements involving the Central Bank of Ireland as set out below. The following disclosure is for information purposes only and AerCap cannot provide Irish legal advice to actual or potential investors. Actual or potential investors in AerCap must obtain their own legal advice in relation to their position.
Under the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 (as amended) (the “MiFID II Regulations”), a person or a group of persons acting in concert proposing to acquire a direct or indirect holding of ordinary shares or other similar interests in AerCap must give the Central Bank of Ireland prior written notice of such proposed acquisition if the acquisition would directly or indirectly (i) represent 10% or more of the capital or voting rights in AerCap; (ii) result in the proportion of capital or voting rights in AerCap held by such person or persons reaching or exceeding 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% of the capital or voting rights in AerCap; or (iii) in the opinion of the Central Bank of Ireland, make it possible for that person or those persons to control or exercise a significant influence over the management of Cash Manager Limited. Any such proposed acquisition shall not proceed until (a) the Central Bank of Ireland has informed such proposed acquirer or acquirers that it approves such acquisition or (b) the period prescribed in Regulation 21 of the MiFID II Regulations has elapsed without the Central Bank of Ireland having given notice in writing that it opposes such acquisition. It is important in this regard to note that the validity as a matter of Irish law of affected transactions, if completed without prior notification to, or assessment by, the Central Bank of Ireland will not be recognized in Ireland. Corresponding provisions apply to the disposal of direct and indirect shareholdings in AerCap except that, in such case, no approval is required, but prior notice of the disposal must be given to the Central Bank of Ireland. Cash Manager Limited is required under the MiFID II Regulations to notify the Central Bank of Ireland of relevant acquisitions and/or disposals of which it becomes aware.
Issuance of ordinary shares
The General Meeting of Shareholders can resolve upon the issuance of ordinary shares or the granting of rights to subscribe for ordinary shares, but only upon a proposal by the Board of Directors specifying the price and further terms and conditions. The General Meeting of Shareholders may designate our Board of Directors as the authorized corporate body for this purpose. Such designation may be for any period of up to five years and must specify the maximum number of ordinary shares that may be issued.
At the AGM held in 2023, our shareholders resolved to authorize the Board of Directors, for a period of 18 months, to issue ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for ordinary shares
(i) up to ten percent of the Company’s issued share capital; and
(ii) up to an additional ten percent of the Company’s issued share capital, provided that the shares that may be issued and rights that may be granted pursuant to this second authorization may only be used for mergers and/or the acquisition of a business or a company.
These resolutions together authorize the Board of Directors to issue ordinary shares, and grant rights to subscribe for such shares, up to a maximum of 20% of the Company’s issued share capital, subject to the conditions described in these resolutions.
Preemptive rights
Unless limited or excluded by the General Meeting of Shareholders or Board of Directors as described below, holders of ordinary shares have a pro rata preemptive right to subscribe for ordinary shares that we issue, except for ordinary shares issued for non-cash consideration (contribution in kind) or ordinary shares issued to our employees.
The General Meeting of Shareholders may limit or exclude preemptive rights and also designate our Board of Directors as the authorized corporate body for this purpose. At the AGM held in 2023, our shareholders resolved to authorize the Board of Directors to limit or exclude preemptive rights in respect of any issuance of shares or granting of rights to subscribe for shares pursuant to the authorizations described above in the paragraph “Issuance of ordinary shares,” which authorization is valid for a period of 18 months.
Repurchase of our ordinary shares
We may acquire our ordinary shares, subject to certain provisions of the laws of the Netherlands and of our articles of association, if the following conditions are met:
•the General Meeting of Shareholders has authorized our Board of Directors to acquire the ordinary shares, which authorization may be valid for no more than 18 months;
•our equity, after deduction of the price of acquisition, is not less than the sum of the paid-in and called-up portion of the share capital and the reserves that the laws of the Netherlands or our articles of association require us to maintain; and
•we would not hold after such purchase, or hold as pledgee, ordinary shares with an aggregate par value exceeding such part of our issued share capital as set by law from time to time.
At the AGM held in 2023, our shareholders resolved to authorize the Board of Directors for a period of 18 months (i) to repurchase ordinary shares up to ten percent of the Company’s issued share capital; and (ii) to repurchase ordinary shares up to an additional ten percent of the Company’s issued share capital, subject to the condition that the number of ordinary shares which the Company may at any time hold in its own capital will not exceed ten percent of the Company’s issued share capital, and certain other conditions described in these resolutions.
Capital reduction and cancellation
The General Meeting of Shareholders may reduce our issued share capital either by cancelling ordinary shares held in treasury or by amending our articles of association to reduce the par value of the ordinary shares. A resolution to reduce our capital requires the approval of at least an absolute majority of the votes cast and, if less than one half of the share capital is represented at a meeting at which a vote is taken, the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes cast.
At the AGM held in 2023, our shareholders resolved to cancel the Company’s ordinary shares that may be acquired under the repurchase authorizations described above or otherwise, subject to determination by our Board of Directors or our Chief Executive Officer, of the exact number of ordinary shares to be cancelled. During 2023, we cancelled 34.8 million ordinary shares that were acquired through the share repurchase programs in accordance with authorizations obtained from the Company’s shareholders.
General Meetings of Shareholders
Our articles of association determine how our AGM and any extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders are convoked. At least one AGM must be held every year. Shareholders can exercise their voting rights by submitting their proxy forms or equivalent means prior to a set date in accordance with the procedures indicated in the notice and agenda of the applicable general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders may exercise their meeting rights in person after notifying us prior to a set date and providing us with appropriate evidence of ownership of the shares and authority to vote prior to a set date in accordance with the procedures indicated in the notice and agenda of the applicable general meeting of shareholders.
The rights of shareholders may only be changed by amending our articles of association. A resolution to amend our articles of association is valid if the Board of Directors makes a proposal amending the articles of association and such proposal is adopted by a simple majority of votes cast.
The following resolutions require a two-thirds majority vote if less than half of the issued share capital is present or represented at the General Meeting of Shareholders:
•capital reduction;
•exclusion or restriction of preemptive rights, or designation of the Board of Directors as the authorized corporate body for this purpose; and
•legal merger or legal demerger within the meaning of Title 7 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
If a proposal to amend the articles of association will be considered at the meeting, we will make available a copy of that proposal, in which the proposed amendments will be stated verbatim.
An agreement of AerCap to enter into (i) a statutory merger whereby AerCap is the acquiring entity; or (ii) a legal demerger, with certain limited exceptions, must be approved by the shareholders.
The AGM was held on April 26, 2023. The AGM adopted the 2022 annual accounts and voted in favor of all other items which required a vote.
Voting rights
Each ordinary share represents the right to cast one vote at a General Meeting of Shareholders. All resolutions must be passed with an absolute majority of the votes validly cast, unless otherwise stated in the Articles of Association or under Dutch law. We are not allowed to exercise voting rights for ordinary shares we hold directly or indirectly.
Any major change in the identity or character of AerCap or its business must be approved by our General Meeting of Shareholders, including:
•the sale or transfer of substantially all our business or assets;
•the commencement or termination of certain major joint ventures and our participation as a general partner with full liability in a limited partnership (“commanditaire vennootschap”) or general partnership (“vennootschap onder firma”); and
•the acquisition or disposal by us of a participating interest in a company’s share capital, the value of which amounts to at least one third of the value of our assets.
Liquidation rights
If we are dissolved or wound up, the assets remaining after payment of our liabilities will be first applied to pay back the amounts paid up on the ordinary shares. Any remaining assets will be distributed among our shareholders, in proportion to the par value of their shareholdings. All distributions referred to in this paragraph shall be made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the laws of the Netherlands.
Dutch statutory squeeze-out proceedings
If a person or a company or two or more group companies within the meaning of Article 2:24b of the Dutch Civil Code acting in concert hold 95% or more of a Dutch public limited liability company’s issued share capital by par value for their own account, the laws of the Netherlands permit that person or company or those group companies acting in concert to acquire the remaining ordinary shares in the company by initiating statutory squeeze-out proceedings against the holders of the remaining shares. The price to be paid for such shares will be determined by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.
Choice of law and exclusive jurisdiction
Our articles of association provide that the legal relationship among or between us, any of our current or former directors, and any of our current or former holders of our shares and derivatives thereof, including but not limited to (i) actions under statute; (ii) actions under the articles of association, including actions for breach thereof; and (iii) actions in tort, shall be governed in each case exclusively by the laws of the Netherlands, unless such legal relationship does not pertain to or arise out of the capacities above. Any dispute, suit, claim, pre-trial action or other legal proceeding, including summary or injunctive proceedings, by and between those persons pertaining to or arising out of their capacities listed above shall be exclusively submitted to the courts of the Netherlands.
Adoption of annual accounts and discharge of management liability
Each year, our Board of Directors must prepare annual accounts within five months after the end of our financial year (subject to extension of that term by our General Meeting of Shareholders). The annual accounts must be made available for inspection by shareholders at our offices from the moment that our annual General Meeting of Shareholders is convened. The annual accounts must be accompanied by an auditor’s certificate, a report of the Board of Directors and certain other mandatory information. The shareholders shall appoint an auditor, as referred to in Article 393 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, to audit the annual accounts. The annual accounts are adopted by our shareholders.
The adoption of the annual accounts by our shareholders does not include the release of the members of our Board of Directors from liability for acts reflected in those documents. Any such release from liability requires a separate shareholders’ resolution.
Registrar and transfer agent
A register of holders of the ordinary shares will be maintained by Broadridge in the United States who also serves as our transfer agent. The telephone number of Broadridge is 1-800-733-1121.
Risk management and control framework
Our management is responsible for designing, implementing and operating an adequate functioning internal risk management and control framework. The purpose of this framework is to identify and manage the strategic, operational, financial and compliance risks to which we are exposed, to promote effectiveness and efficiency of our operations, to promote reliable financial reporting and to promote compliance with laws and regulations. Supervision is exercised by our Audit Committee, as described in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices—Committees of the Board of Directors—Audit Committee.” Our internal risk management and control framework is based on the COSO framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). The COSO framework aims to provide reasonable assurance regarding effectiveness and efficiency of an entity’s operations, reliability of financial reporting, prevention of fraud and compliance with laws and regulations.
Our internal risk management and control framework has the following key components:
Planning and control cycle
The planning and control cycle consists of an annual budget and business plan prepared by management and approved by our Board of Directors, quarterly forecasts, operational reviews and financial reporting.
Risk management and internal controls
We have developed policies and procedures for all areas of our operations, both financial and non-financial, that constitutes a broad system of internal control. This system of internal control has been developed through a risk-based approach and enhanced with a view to achieving and maintaining full compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our system of internal control is embedded in our standard business practices and is validated through audits performed by our internal auditors and through management testing of Sarbanes-Oxley Act controls, which is performed with the assistance of external advisors. In addition, senior management personnel and finance managers of our main operating subsidiaries annually sign a detailed letter of representation with regard to financial reporting, internal controls and ethical principles. Employees working in our finance or accounting functions are subject to a separate Finance Code of Ethics.
Code of Conduct and Whistleblower Policy
Our Code of Conduct is applicable to all our employees, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. It is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct and timely and accurate disclosure in our periodic financial results. Our Whistleblower Policy provides for the reporting, if so wished on an anonymous basis, of alleged violations of the Code of Conduct, alleged irregularities of a financial nature by our employees, directors or other stakeholders, alleged violations of our compliance procedures and other alleged irregularities without any fear of reprisal against the individual that reports the violation or irregularity.
Compliance procedures
We have various procedures and programs in place designed to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including anti-insider trading procedures, anti-bribery procedures, anti-fraud procedures, economic sanctions and export control compliance procedures, anti-money laundering procedures, ITAR-related compliance procedures, anti-trust procedures and protection of personal data procedures. Our compliance programs are maintained and supervised by the Chief Compliance Officer, and they include annual training in key compliance areas and annual certifications. The procedures are subject to regular audits by, or on behalf of, the internal audit function.
Internal auditors
We have an internal audit function in place to provide assurance to the Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board of Directors, and to AerCap’s executive officers, with respect to AerCap’s key processes. The internal audit function independently and objectively carries out audit assignments in accordance with the annual internal audit plan, as approved by the Audit Committee. The head of the internal audit function reports, in line with professional standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors, to the Audit Committee (functional reporting line) and to our Chief Executive Officer (administrative reporting line). The work of the internal audit department is fully endorsed by the Audit Committee and AerCap’s executive officers and is considered a valuable part of AerCap’s system of control and risk management.
Disclosure controls and procedures
The Disclosure Committee assists our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in overseeing our financial and non-financial disclosure activities and to ensure compliance with applicable disclosure requirements arising under U.S. and Dutch law and regulatory requirements. The Disclosure Committee obtains information for its recommendations from the operational and financial reviews, letters of representation which include a risk and internal controls self-assessment, input from the documentation and assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and input from risk management activities during the year along with various business reports. The Disclosure Committee comprises various members of senior management.
External auditors
Our external auditor is responsible for auditing the financial statements. Following the recommendation by the Audit Committee and upon proposal by the Board of Directors, the General Meeting of Shareholders appoints each year the auditor to audit the financial statements of the current financial year. The external auditor reports to our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. The external auditor is present at the meetings of the Audit Committee when our quarterly and annual results are discussed.
At the request of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, the Chief Financial Officer and the Internal Audit department review, in advance, each service to be provided by the auditor to identify any possible breaches of the auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee pre-approves every engagement of our external auditor. In accordance with applicable regulations, the partner of the external audit firm and senior engagement team members in charge of the audit activities are subject to rotation requirements.
Material contracts
We have entered into several credit facilities and other financing arrangements to fund our acquisition of our aircraft. Refer to Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for more information regarding our credit facilities and financing arrangements.
Exchange controls
There are no limits under the laws of the Netherlands or in our articles of association on non-residents of the Netherlands holding or voting our ordinary shares. Currently, there are no exchange controls under the laws of the Netherlands on the conduct of our operations or affecting the remittance of dividends.
Taxation
AerCap Holdings N.V. is a Dutch incorporated company which is centrally managed and controlled from Ireland. It is tax resident in Ireland under Irish domestic law and as a result of the application of the double taxation treaty between Ireland and the Netherlands.
Irish tax considerations
The following is a general summary of certain Irish tax consequences applicable to both Irish tax resident and non-Irish residents as a result of the holding and disposal of ordinary shares (or other securities where the payments made on the securities are within the scope of DWT (as defined below)) where and while we are considered a resident of Ireland for the purposes of Irish tax. This summary is based on existing Irish law and our understanding of the practices of the Irish Revenue Commissioners as of the date of this annual report. Legislative, administrative or judicial changes may modify the tax consequences described below. The discussion below is included for general information purposes only.
Please note that this summary does not constitute tax advice and is intended only as a general guide. Furthermore, this information applies only to our shares that are held as capital assets and does not apply to all categories of shareholders, such as dealers in securities, trustees, insurance companies, collective investment schemes or shareholders who have, or who are deemed to have, acquired their shares by virtue of an office or employment.
This summary is not exhaustive and shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing our ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.
Dividend withholding tax
Irish dividend withholding tax (“DWT”), which is currently at a rate of 25%, will arise in respect of dividends or other distributions (including deemed distributions) that we pay unless an exemption applies. A deemed distribution for these purposes could include, among other things, a payment made on the redemption, repayment or purchase by a company of its own shares, except for such payments made by a quoted company in certain circumstances. Where DWT does arise in respect of dividends, the Company is responsible for deducting DWT at source and forwarding the relevant payment to the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
An exemption from DWT is available on dividend payments made to certain non-Irish tax resident shareholders (“Exempt Non-Resident Shareholders”). Exempt Non-Resident Shareholders must be resident in a country with which Ireland has a double tax treaty (a “Relevant Territory”), which includes the United States and member states of the EU, other than Ireland. Exempt Non-Resident Shareholders include:
•individual shareholders (that are not corporate shareholders) who are not tax resident in Ireland and who are resident for the purposes of tax in a Relevant Territory;
•corporate shareholders resident for the purposes of tax in a Relevant Territory and which are not controlled (directly or indirectly) by Irish tax residents;
•corporate shareholders that are not resident in Ireland for the purposes of tax, which are under the direct or indirect control of persons who are resident for the purposes of tax in a Relevant Territory and are not under the ultimate control of persons not resident in a Relevant Territory; or
•corporate shareholders, that are not resident for tax purposes in Ireland, the principal class of shares of which (or of its 75% parent or where wholly owned by two or more companies, each such company) is substantially and regularly traded on a stock exchange in Ireland, a recognized stock exchange in a Relevant Territory or on such other stock exchange approved by the Irish Minister for Finance (which includes the New York Stock Exchange),
and provided that, in all cases noted above (but subject to the exception in the paragraph below regarding “U.S. resident shareholders”), the Exempt Non-Resident Shareholder has provided a relevant DWT declaration, as prescribed by the Irish Revenue Commissioners, to his or her broker before the record date for the dividend, and the relevant information is further transmitted to the Company (in the case of shares held through the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) or to our transfer agent (in the case of shares held outside of the DTC).
U.S. resident shareholders
A simplified DWT exemption procedure exists for U.S. resident shareholders who hold their shares in the Company through the DTC, pursuant to a confirmation obtained from the Irish Revenue Commissioners. The simplified procedure provides that such shareholders are not required to complete the Irish Revenue Commissioners’ DWT declaration form but can still avail of the exemption from DWT provided the address of the beneficial owner of the shares in the records of the broker is in the United States. We strongly recommend that such shareholders ensure that their information has been properly recorded by their brokers. In order for this simplified procedure to apply, the dividends must be paid via a “qualifying intermediary” as discussed further below. The confirmation from the Irish Revenue Commissioners is operative for a period of five years up to the end of 2024.
Dividends paid in respect of shares (and payments on other securities subject to DWT) in an Irish resident company that are owned by residents of the United States and held outside of the DTC should not be subject to DWT provided that the shareholder has completed the relevant DWT declaration form and this declaration form remains valid. Such shareholders must provide the relevant DWT declaration form to our transfer agent at least seven business days before the record date for the first dividend payment to which they are entitled.
If a U.S. resident shareholder receives a dividend subject to DWT, that shareholder should generally be able to make an application for a refund of DWT from the Irish Revenue Commissioners, subject to certain time limits.
Distributions to a qualifying intermediary
A distribution made by the Company to a “qualifying intermediary” (for example a bank or stockbroking firm) approved by the Irish Revenue Commissioners is exempt from DWT if the ultimate beneficial owner is an Exempt Non-Resident Shareholder. In such instances, the qualifying intermediary is required to identify the person who is beneficially entitled to the distribution and to ensure that the prescribed declarations are in place in advance of the dividend payment, or in the case of U.S. residents which hold our shares (or other relevant securities) through the DTC, that the address of the beneficial owner of the shares (or other securities) is in the United States. The Company must apply DWT to a distribution unless it has been notified by the qualifying intermediary that the distribution to be received by the qualifying intermediary is for the benefit of an Exempt Non-Resident Shareholder.
Prior to paying any dividend, the Company intends to put in place an agreement with an entity which is recognized by the Irish Revenue Commissioners as a “qualifying intermediary,” such that any dividends paid by the Company will be paid via a qualifying intermediary.
Other non-resident persons
Shareholders that do not fall within one of the categories mentioned above may fall within other exemptions from DWT. If a shareholder is exempt from DWT but receives a dividend subject to DWT, that shareholder may be able to claim a refund of DWT from the Irish Revenue Commissioners subject to certain time limits.
Irish resident shareholders
Irish tax resident or ordinarily resident individual shareholders will generally be subject to DWT in respect of dividends or distributions received from an Irish resident company (with some limited exemptions). Irish tax resident individual shareholders will be allowed a tax credit for the amount of DWT suffered on the dividend against their Irish income tax charge on the dividend income. Irish tax resident corporate shareholders will generally be entitled to claim an exemption from DWT.
Irish tax resident or ordinarily resident shareholders that are entitled to receive dividends without DWT must complete the relevant DWT declaration form, as prescribed by the Irish Revenue Commissioners, and provide the declaration form to their brokers before the record date for the first dividend to which they are entitled (in the case of shares held through the DTC), or to our transfer agent at least seven business days before such record date (in the case of shares held outside of the DTC).
Irish tax resident or ordinarily resident individual shareholders who are not entitled to an exemption from DWT and who are subject to Irish tax should consult their own tax adviser.
Irish income tax on dividends
Non-Irish resident shareholders
A shareholder who is not resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in Ireland and who is entitled to an exemption from DWT, generally has no liability to Irish income tax on a dividend from an Irish resident company unless that shareholder holds the shares through a branch or agency which carries on a trade in Ireland.
A shareholder who is not resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in Ireland and who is not entitled to an exemption from DWT, generally has no additional liability to Irish income tax unless that shareholder holds the shares through a branch or agency which carries on a trade in Ireland. The shareholder’s liability to Irish tax on the dividend is effectively limited to the amount of DWT already deducted by the Company.
Irish resident shareholders
Irish tax resident or ordinarily resident individual shareholders may be subject to Irish income tax and income charges such as pay related social insurance (“PRSI”) and the Universal Social Charge (“USC”) on the gross amount of any dividends received from the Company, with a credit allowed for any DWT suffered on the dividend. Such shareholders should consult their own tax adviser. Irish tax resident corporate shareholders should generally not be subject to Irish corporation tax on dividends from the Company.
Irish stamp duty
Irish stamp duty will generally not be payable on transactions for cash in the Company’s shares, unless the transfer of the shares is related to either immovable property situated in Ireland or any interest in such property or to shares or marketable securities of an Irish incorporated company. In such cases a 1% stamp duty charge will arise for the acquirer based on the transfer consideration for the shares.
Irish tax on chargeable gains
Non-residents of Ireland
A disposal of our shares by a shareholder who is not resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in Ireland should not give rise to Irish tax on any chargeable gain realized on such disposal unless such shares are used, held or acquired for the purposes of a trade carried on by such shareholder through a branch or agency in Ireland.
Irish resident individuals/companies
A disposal of our shares by an Irish tax resident or ordinarily resident shareholder may, depending on the circumstances (including the availability of exemptions and reliefs), give rise to a chargeable gain or allowable loss for that shareholder. Any such gain or loss must be calculated in euro. The rate of capital gains tax in Ireland is currently 33%. Depending on the individual circumstances, unutilized capital losses from other sources may be available to reduce gains realized on the disposal of our shares.
A holder of our shares who is an Irish tax resident individual and becomes temporarily non-resident in Ireland may, under Irish anti-avoidance legislation, be liable to Irish tax on any chargeable gain realized on a disposal during the period in which such individual is non-resident.
Irish capital acquisitions tax
On a gift or inheritance of our shares, Irish capital acquisitions tax (“CAT”), will arise where either the disponer and/or the recipient is tax resident or ordinary resident in Ireland. Special rules with regard to residence apply where an individual is not domiciled in Ireland. Where both the disponer and the recipient are not Irish tax resident or ordinary resident, Irish CAT may still arise on a gift or inheritance of shares in the Company, if they are deemed to be situated in Ireland at the time. The current rate of Irish CAT for gifts and inheritances is 33% and there are various thresholds which apply before CAT becomes applicable.
The estate tax convention between Ireland and the United States generally provides for Irish CAT paid on inheritances in Ireland to be credited, in whole or in part, against tax payable in the United States, in the case where an inheritance of shares is subject to both Irish CAT and U.S. federal estate tax. The estate tax convention does not apply to Irish CAT paid on gifts.
U.S. tax considerations
Subject to the limitations and qualifications stated herein, this discussion sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares. The discussion of the holders’ tax consequences addresses only those persons that hold our ordinary shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes and does not address the tax consequences to any special class of holder, including, without limitation, holders of (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10% or more of our shares (as measured by vote or value), dealers in securities or currencies, banks, tax-exempt organizations, life insurance companies, financial institutions, broker dealers, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, traders in securities that elect the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons that hold securities that are a hedge or that are hedged against currency or interest rate risks or that are part of a straddle, conversion or “integrated” transaction, certain U.S. expatriates, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to the ordinary shares as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financing statement and U.S. Holders whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. This discussion does not address the effect of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax or any state, local or foreign tax laws on a holder of ordinary shares. The discussion is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect and all subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect.
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes an individual citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; a trust if the trust (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and one or more U.S. persons are able to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (ii) has elected to be treated as a U.S. person; or an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source. A “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding shares and partners therein should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the ordinary shares.
Cash dividends and other distributions
A U.S. Holder of ordinary shares generally will be required to treat distributions received with respect to such ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld) as dividend income to the extent of AerCap’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (computed using U.S. federal income tax principles), with the excess treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares and, thereafter, as capital gain, subject to the PFIC rules discussed below. AerCap does not expect to determine earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, U.S. Holders should expect that any distribution by AerCap will generally be treated as a dividend. Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that is a corporation are not eligible for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations. Current tax law provides for a maximum 20% U.S. tax rate on the dividend income of a non-corporate U.S. Holder with respect to dividends paid by a domestic corporation or “qualified foreign corporation” if certain holding period requirements are met. A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation (other than a corporation that is a PFIC in the taxable year in which dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year) if (i) its shares with respect to which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States; or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive U.S. income tax treaty that the United States Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and which includes an exchange of information provision. The ordinary shares are expected to be readily traded on the NYSE and we are eligible for the income tax treaty between the United States and Ireland. As a result, assuming we are not treated as a PFIC, we should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid on our ordinary shares and, therefore, dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. Holder with respect to ordinary shares for which the requisite holding period is satisfied should be taxed at a maximum federal tax rate of 20%.
Distributions to U.S. Holders of additional ordinary shares or preemptive rights with respect to ordinary shares that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, but in other circumstances may constitute a taxable dividend.
Distributions paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income in a U.S. dollar amount based on the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. The U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in such currency equal to such U.S. dollar amount, and any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or conversion of the foreign currency for a different U.S. dollar amount will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Subject to applicable limitations that may vary depending upon the circumstances, foreign taxes withheld from dividends on ordinary shares, to the extent the taxes do not exceed those taxes that would have been withheld had the holder claimed the benefits of any reduction in such taxes under applicable law or tax treaty, will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability. Dividends paid on the ordinary shares generally will be treated as foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and, therefore, prospective purchasers of ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances. Instead of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may, at its election, deduct such otherwise creditable foreign taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. law.
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to ordinary shares unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States.
Sale or disposition of ordinary shares
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar amount realized on such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition (determined in the case of shares sold or exchanged for currencies other than U.S. dollars by reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of the sale or exchange or, if the shares sold or exchanged are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an electing accrual basis taxpayer, the spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares determined in U.S. dollars. The initial tax basis of the ordinary shares to a U.S. Holder will be the U.S. Holder’s U.S. dollar purchase price for the shares (determined, in the case of shares purchased with currencies other than U.S. dollars, by reference to the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of the purchase, or if the shares purchased are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash basis taxpayer or an electing accrual basis taxpayer, the spot exchange rate in effect on the settlement date). Assuming that AerCap is not a PFIC and has not been treated as a PFIC during the U.S. Holder’s holding period for our ordinary shares, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term gain or loss if the ordinary shares have been held for more than one year. Under current law, the maximum long-term capital gain rate for a non-corporate U.S. Holder is 20%. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Capital gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
A non-U.S. Holder of ordinary shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States; or (ii) the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Potential application of PFIC provisions
We do not believe we will be classified as a PFIC for 2023. Although there can be no assurance, we do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for 2024 or subsequent years. This expectation is based on our current operations and current law. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either (i) at least 75% of its gross income is “passive income;” or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of its gross assets is attributable to assets that produce “passive income” or are held for the production of “passive income.” Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities, foreign currency and securities transactions. Certain exceptions are provided, however, for royalty or rental income derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person.
The determination as to whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a complex determination that is based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances and depends on the classification of various assets and income under the PFIC rules. It is unclear how some of these rules apply to us. Further, this determination must be tested annually at the end of the taxable year and, while we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC, our circumstances may change in any given year. We do not intend to make decisions regarding the purchase and sale of aircraft with the specific purpose of reducing the likelihood of our becoming a PFIC. Accordingly, our business plan may result in our engaging in activities that could cause us to become a PFIC. There can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year.
If we are or become a PFIC in a taxable year in which we pay a dividend or the prior taxable year, the dividend rate discussed above with respect to dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ordinary shares, subject to the discussion of the mark-to-market election and the qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election below, the holder will be subject to additional tax and an interest charge on “excess distributions” received with respect to the ordinary shares or gains realized on the disposition of such ordinary shares. Such a U.S. Holder will have excess distributions to the extent of any distributions received during any tax year that exceed 125% of the average amount received with respect to the ordinary shares during the three preceding tax years (or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period). A U.S. Holder may realize gain on an ordinary share not only through a sale or other disposition, but also by pledging the ordinary share as security for a loan or entering into certain constructive disposition transactions. To compute the tax on an excess distribution or any gain, (i) the excess distribution or gain is allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period; (ii) the amount allocated to the current tax year and amounts allocated to any year before the first year in which we are a PFIC is taxed as ordinary income in the current tax year; and (iii) the amount allocated to each previous tax year (other than any year before the first year in which we are a PFIC) is taxed at the highest applicable marginal rate in effect for that year and an interest charge is imposed to recover the deemed benefit from the deferred payment of the tax. These rules effectively prevent a U.S. Holder from treating the gain realized on the disposition of an ordinary share as capital gain.
If we are a PFIC and our ordinary shares are “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange,” a U.S. Holder may make a mark-to-market election, which may mitigate the adverse tax consequences resulting from AerCap’s PFIC status. The ordinary shares will be treated as “regularly traded” in any calendar year during which more than a de minimis quantity of ordinary shares are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter. The NYSE, on which the ordinary shares are expected to be regularly traded, is a qualified exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, for each year in which we are a PFIC the holder generally will include as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the end of the taxable year over their adjusted basis, and will be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, his basis in the ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. In addition, upon the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares in a year that we are a PFIC, any gain will generally be treated as ordinary income and any loss will generally be treated as ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election), and thereafter as a capital loss.
Alternatively, if we become a PFIC in any year, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares may wish to avoid the adverse tax consequences resulting from our PFIC status by making a QEF election with respect to our ordinary shares in such year. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election, the holder will be required to include in gross income each year (i) as ordinary income, its pro rata share of our earnings and profits in excess of net capital gains; and (ii) as long-term capital gains, its pro rata share of our net capital gains, in each case, whether or not cash distributions are actually made. The amounts recognized by a U.S. Holder making a QEF election generally are treated as income from sources outside the U.S. If, however, U.S. persons (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) hold at least half of our shares by vote or value, such amounts will be treated as U.S. source income to the extent they are attributable to income that we receive from U.S. sources. Because a U.S. Holder of shares in a PFIC that makes a QEF election is taxed currently on its pro rata share of our income, the amounts recognized will not be subject to tax when they are distributed to the U.S. Holder. An electing U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares will be increased by any amounts included in income currently as described above and decreased by any distributions of previously taxed amounts that are not subjected to tax again at the time of distribution. If we are or become a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would make a QEF election in respect of its ordinary shares by attaching a properly completed IRS Form 8621 in respect of such shares to the holder’s timely filed U.S. federal income tax return. For any taxable year that we determine that we are a PFIC, we will (i) provide notice of our status as a PFIC as soon as practicable following such taxable year; and (ii) comply with all reporting requirements necessary for U.S. Holders to make QEF elections, including providing to shareholders upon request the information necessary for such an election.
Although a U.S. Holder normally is not permitted to make a retroactive QEF election, a retroactive election (a “retroactive QEF election”) may be made for a taxable year of the U.S. Holder (the “retroactive election year”) if the U.S. Holder (i) reasonably believed that, as of the date the QEF election was due, the foreign corporation was not a PFIC for its taxable year that ended during the retroactive election year; and (ii) filed a protective statement with respect to the foreign corporation, applicable to the retroactive election year, in which the U.S. Holder described the basis for its reasonable belief and extended the period of limitation on the assessment of PFIC related taxes for all taxable years of the shareholder to which the protective statement applies. The protective statement must be attached to the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for the first taxable year to which the statement is to apply. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the advisability of filing a protective statement.
As discussed above, if we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares that makes a QEF election (including a proper retroactive QEF election) will be required to include in income currently its pro rata share of our earnings and profits whether or not we actually distribute earnings. The use of earnings to fund reserves or pay down debt or to fund other investments could result in a U.S. Holder of ordinary shares recognizing income in excess of amounts it actually receives. In addition, our income from an investment for U.S. federal income tax purposes may exceed the amount we actually receive. If we are a PFIC and a U.S. Holder makes a valid QEF election in respect of its ordinary shares, such holder may be able to elect to defer payment, subject to an interest charge for the deferral period, of the tax on income recognized on account of the QEF election. Prospective purchasers of ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors about the advisability of making a QEF election, retroactive QEF election and/or deferred payment election.
Special rules apply to determine the foreign tax credit with respect to withholding taxes imposed on distributions on shares in a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder owns ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, such holder must generally file IRS Form 8621.
We urge prospective purchasers of ordinary shares to consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax considerations relevant to an investment in a PFIC, including the availability and consequences of making the mark-to-market election and QEF election discussed above.
Additional tax on net investment income
Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, trusts or estates may be subject to a 3.8% tax, in addition to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax, on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” (or undistributed “net investment income,” in the case of a trust or estate) for the relevant taxable year; and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income (or adjusted gross income, in the case of a trust or estate) for the relevant taxable year above a certain threshold (which in the case of an individual ranges from $125,000 to $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, dividend income on and capital gain from the disposition of shares, subject to certain exceptions. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, trust or estate, you should consult your own tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to the ordinary shares.
Information reporting and backup withholding
Information reporting to the IRS generally will be required with respect to payments on the ordinary shares and proceeds of the sale of the ordinary shares paid to holders that are U.S. taxpayers, other than certain corporations and other exempt recipients. A 24% “backup” withholding tax may apply to those payments if such a holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number to the applicable withholding agent and to certify that such holder is not subject to backup withholding. Holders that are not subject to U.S. taxation may be required to comply with applicable certification procedures to establish that they are not U.S. persons in order to avoid the application of such information reporting requirements and backup withholding. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Dutch withholding tax considerations
The following is a general summary of certain Dutch dividend withholding tax consequences of the holding of ordinary shares. This summary does not purport to describe all possible tax considerations or consequences that may be relevant to a holder or prospective holder of ordinary shares, some of which may be subject to special treatment under applicable law (such as trusts or similar arrangements).
As AerCap Holdings N.V. is Dutch incorporated (albeit Irish tax resident), a distribution (including dividend payments) by us to a holder of shares resident, or deemed resident, in the Netherlands (“Dutch resident holders”) is generally subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%. The withholding mechanism requires us to deduct from the dividend an amount of withholding tax to be paid to the Dutch tax authorities. The withholding tax is therefore effectively carried by the recipient of a dividend and not by us. Where it can shown that an individual, corporate or other investor is not resident or not deemed resident in the Netherlands, we are not expecting to have an obligation to deduct Dutch dividend withholding tax by virtue of the provisions of the Ireland / Netherlands double tax treaty.
Dutch resident holders are individuals and corporate legal entities who are resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for Dutch tax purposes. Dutch resident holders may be eligible to credit Dutch dividend withholding tax against their income tax or corporate income tax liability.
This summary does not consider any potential exemptions or reliefs from Dutch withholding tax or the specific facts and circumstances of any Dutch resident holder. In particular, this summary does not describe the tax considerations for Dutch resident holders of ordinary shares if such holders, and in the case of individuals, his/her partner or certain of their relatives by blood or marriage in the direct line (including foster children), have a substantial interest or deemed substantial interest in us as defined in the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001. Generally speaking, a holder of securities in a company is considered to hold a substantial interest in such company, if such holder alone or, in the case of individuals, together with his/her partner (statutorily defined term), directly or indirectly, holds (i) an interest of 5% or more of the total issued and outstanding capital of that company or of 5% or more of the issued and outstanding capital of a certain class of shares of that company; or (ii) rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, such interest; or (iii) certain profit-sharing rights in that company that relate to 5% or more of the company's annual profits and/or to 5% or more of the company's liquidation proceeds. A deemed substantial interest arises if a substantial interest (or part thereof) in a company has been disposed of, or is deemed to have been disposed of, on a non-recognition basis. Furthermore, this summary does not describe the tax considerations for holders of ordinary shares if the holder has an interest in us that qualifies as a "participation" for the purposes of the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969. A participation generally exists in case of a shareholding of at least 5% of the company's paid-up share capital.
There may be other Dutch tax consequences arising from the holding of ordinary shares, such as, but not limited to, Dutch personal income tax, Dutch corporate income tax and Dutch gift and inheritance tax.
The above discussion is a general summary. It does not cover all tax matters that may be of importance to particular investors. All prospective investors are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors about the tax consequences of an investment in our ordinary shares.
Dividends
Dividends may in principle only be paid out of profit as shown in the adopted annual accounts. In accordance with the articles of association and Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, we may only declare dividends insofar as our shareholders’ equity exceeds the amount of the paid up and called portion of the issued share capital plus the reserves that must be maintained in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the Netherlands or our articles of association. We may not make any distribution of profits on ordinary shares that we hold and have not done so in the past. Our Board of Directors determines whether and how much of the profits it will reserve. Any remaining profits shall be distributed to the shareholders pro rata to the number of shares held by each shareholder.
All calculations to determine the amounts available for dividends will be based on our annual Dutch GAAP statutory accounts, which may be different from our Consolidated Financial Statements under U.S. GAAP, such as those included in this annual report. Our statutory accounts have to date been prepared, and will continue to be prepared, under Dutch GAAP and are deposited with the Commercial Register of the Dutch Trade Register. Our net loss attributable to equity holders of AerCap Holdings N.V. for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our total AerCap Holdings N.V. shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2022 as set forth in our annual statutory accounts were $596 million and $14.1 billion, respectively. We are dependent on dividends or other advances from our operating subsidiaries to fund any dividends we may pay on our ordinary shares.
Documents on display
The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You can review our SEC filings, including this annual report, by accessing the SEC’s Internet website at www.sec.gov. Our website is located at www.aercap.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. In addition, you may inspect material we file at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk associated with short- and long-term borrowings bearing variable interest rates and lease payments under leases tied to floating interest rates. To manage this interest rate exposure, from time to time, we enter into interest rate swap and cap agreements and U.S. treasury rate lock agreements. We are also exposed to foreign currency risk, which can adversely affect our operating profits. To manage this risk, from time to time, we may enter into forward exchange contracts.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Note 12—Derivative financial instruments and Note 15—Debt to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report, which provide further information on our debt and derivative financial instruments.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the exposure to changes in the level of interest rates and the spread between different interest rates. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to many factors, including government monetary policies, global economic factors and other factors beyond our control.
We enter into leases with rents that are based on fixed and variable interest rates, and we fund our operations primarily with a mixture of fixed and floating rate debt. Interest rate exposure arises when there is a mismatch between terms of the associated debt and interest-earning assets, primarily between floating rate debt and fixed rate leases. We manage this exposure primarily through the use of interest rate caps and interest rate swaps using a cash flow-based risk management model. This model takes the expected cash flows generated by our assets and liabilities and then calculates by how much the value of these cash flows will change for a given movement in interest rates.
The principal amount of our outstanding floating rate debt was $10.3 billion, or 22% of the total principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2023. If interest rates were to increase by 1%, we would expect a decrease in pre-tax income of approximately $17 million per year. This pre-tax income decrease would include an increase in interest expense, partially offset by benefits of interest rate derivatives currently in effect, leases that are based on variable interest rates and interest-earning cash balances. A decrease in interest rates would result in an increase in pre-tax income. This pre-tax income increase would include a decrease in interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in the interest revenue and lease revenue. This sensitivity analysis is limited by several factors, and should not be viewed as a forecast.
The following tables present the average notional amounts and weighted average interest rates which are contracted for the specified year for our derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, including our interest rate caps and swaps, as of December 31, 2023. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments to be exchanged under the contract. Under our interest rate caps, we will receive the excess, if any, of daily SOFR or Term SOFR, reset daily, monthly or quarterly on an actual/360 adjusted basis, over the strike rate of the relevant cap. For our interest rate swaps, pay rates are based on the fixed rate which we are contracted to pay to our swap counterparty.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Fair value |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Interest rate caps | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average notional amounts | $ | 1,903.3 | | $ | 1,129.2 | | $ | 469.3 | | $ | 35.2 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 82.1 | |
Weighted average strike rate | 1.6 | % | | 2.2 | % | | 2.4 | % | | 2.3 | % | | — | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Fair value |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Interest rate swaps | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average notional amounts | $ | 4,630.0 | | $ | 4,605.0 | | $ | 3,442.5 | | $ | 2,582.5 | | $ | 1,004.2 | | $ | — | | | $ | (7.9) | |
Weighted average pay rate | 3.6 | % | | 3.6 | % | | 3.9 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 4.1 | % | | — | | | |
The variable benchmark interest rates associated with these instruments are daily SOFR or Term SOFR, as applicable. The transition of our London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”) based instruments was completed in October 2023.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing our overall interest rate management policies. Our counterparty risk is monitored on an ongoing basis, but is mitigated by the fact that the majority of our interest rate derivative counterparties are required to collateralize in the event of their downgrade by the rating agencies below a certain level.
Foreign currency risk and foreign operations
Our functional currency is U.S. dollars. The functional currency for domestic and substantially all foreign operations is the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are not significant to the Company’s operations. Foreign exchange risk arises from our and our lessees’ operations in multiple jurisdictions. All of our aircraft purchase agreements are negotiated in U.S. dollars, we currently receive substantially all of our revenue in U.S. dollars and we pay our expenses primarily in U.S. dollars. We currently have a limited number of leases and helicopter purchase agreements denominated in foreign currencies, maintain part of our cash in foreign currencies, pay taxes in foreign currencies, and incur some of our expenses in foreign currencies, primarily the euro. A decrease in the U.S. dollar in relation to foreign currencies increases our lease revenue received from foreign currency-denominated leases and our expenses paid in foreign currencies. An increase in the U.S. dollar in relation to foreign currencies decreases our lease revenue received from foreign currency denominated leases and our expenses paid in foreign currencies. Because we currently receive most of our revenues in U.S. dollars and pay most of our expenses in U.S. dollars, a change in foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows. We do not have any restrictions or repatriation issues associated with our foreign cash accounts.
Inflation
After a sustained period of relatively low inflation rates, rates of inflation increased significantly during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, reaching or exceeding recent historical highs in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries. While rates of inflation have decreased from their recent highs, they remain above levels of recent years and in some cases above the inflationary targets of the relevant central banks. High rates of inflation may have a number of adverse effects on our business. Inflation may increase the costs of goods, services and labor used in our operations, thereby increasing our expenses. To the extent that we derive our income from leases with fixed rates of payment, high rates of inflation will cause a greater decrease in the value of those payments than had the rates of inflation remained lower. Because our leases are generally multi-year, there may be a lag in our ability to adjust the lease rates for a particular aircraft accordingly. Our suppliers and lessees may also be subject to material adverse effects as a result of high rates of inflation, including as a result of the impact on their financial conditions, changes in demand patterns, price volatility, and supply chain disruption.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
None.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Our management and the members of our Disclosure Committee, have evaluated, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. These disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to AerCap’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process 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.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm
KPMG, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited our 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report, audited the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 under the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Their audit report may be found on page F-2. Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in AerCap’s internal controls over financial reporting during the year of 2023 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our Board of Directors has determined that James (Jim) Lawrence and Julian (Brad) Branch are “audit committee financial experts,” as that term is defined by SEC rules. All members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” as that term is defined under applicable NYSE listing standards.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted our Code of Conduct, a code that applies to the members of our Board of Directors, including its Chairman, our officers and employees. This code is publicly available on our website at www.aercap.com.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Our auditors charged the following fees for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) |
Audit fees | $ | 8,173 | | | $ | 7,525 | |
Tax fees | 1,658 | | | 1,414 | |
All other fees | — | | | 44 | |
Total | $ | 9,831 | | | $ | 8,983 | |
Audit Fees
Audit fees are defined as the standard audit work that needs to be performed each year in order to issue opinions on our consolidated financial statements and to issue reports on our local statutory financial statements. Also included are services that can only be provided by our auditors, such as auditing of non-recurring transactions and implementation of new accounting policies, reviews of quarterly financial results, consents and comfort letters and any other audit services required for SEC or other regulatory filings.
Tax Fees
Tax fees relate to the aggregated fees for services rendered on tax compliance.
All Other Fees
All other fees primarily relate to advisory and integration projects.
Policy on Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services, as described above. Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or categories of services, and is subject to a specific budget. Our management and our auditors’ report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees for the services performed to date on an annual basis. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve additional services on a case-by-case basis. All tax fees were approved by the Audit Committee.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table presents repurchases of our ordinary shares made by us during the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of ordinary shares purchased | | Average price paid per ordinary share | | Total number of ordinary shares purchased as part of our publicly announced programs | | Maximum dollar value of ordinary shares that may yet be purchased under the programs (U.S. Dollars in millions) (a) |
January 2023 | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | | |
February 2023 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | |
March 2023 | 8,788,890 | | | 56.89 | | | 8,788,890 | | | — | | |
April 2023 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | |
May 2023 | 2,926,102 | | | 57.12 | | | 2,926,102 | | | 332.9 | | |
June 2023 | 2,131,790 | | | 60.50 | | | 2,131,790 | | | 203.9 | | |
July 2023 | 956,824 | | | 63.85 | | | 956,824 | | | 642.9 | | |
August 2023 | — | | | — | | | — | | | 642.9 | | |
September 2023 | 19,168,834 | | | 57.97 | | | 19,168,834 | | | 181.7 | | |
October 2023 | 2,161,041 | | | 59.87 | | | 2,161,041 | | | 552.3 | | |
November 2023 | 8,170,413 | | | 63.64 | | | 8,170,413 | | | 32.3 | | |
December 2023 | — | | | — | | | — | | | 282.3 | | |
Total | 44,303,894 | | | $ | 59.09 | | | 44,303,894 | | | $ | 282.3 | | |
(a)For further details on our share repurchase programs, refer to Note 18—Equity to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Not applicable.
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
The NYSE requires U.S. domestic entities with shares listed on the exchange to comply with its corporate governance standards. As we are a foreign private issuer, however, the NYSE only requires us to comply with certain NYSE rules relating to audit committees and periodic certifications to the NYSE as long as we comply with home country corporate governance standards (in our case, Dutch corporate governance standards). The NYSE requires that we disclose to investors any significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. domestic companies under NYSE requirements.
Among these differences, shareholder approval is required by the NYSE prior to the issuance of ordinary shares:
•to a director, officer or substantial security holder of the Company (or their affiliates or entities in which they have a substantial interest) in excess of one percent of either the number of ordinary shares or the voting power outstanding before the issuance, with certain exceptions;
•that will have voting power or number equal to or in excess of 20% of either the voting power or the number of shares, respectively, outstanding before the issuance, with certain exceptions; or
•that will result in a change of control of the issuer.
Under Dutch rules, shareholders can delegate authority to issue ordinary shares to the Board of Directors at the AGM. In the past, our shareholders have delegated authority to issue ordinary shares to our Board at our AGM.
In some situations, NYSE rules are more stringent, and in others the Dutch rules are. Other significant differences include:
•NYSE rules require shareholder approval for changes to equity compensation plans, but under Dutch rules, shareholder approval is only required for changes to equity compensation plans for members of the Board of Directors;
•under Dutch corporate governance rules, the audit and remuneration committees may not be chaired by the Chairman of the Board;
•under Dutch rules, auditors must be appointed by the general meeting of shareholders, but NYSE rules require only that they be appointed by the audit committee;
•both NYSE and Dutch rules require that a majority of the Board of Directors be independent, but the definition of independence under each set of rules is not identical. For example, Dutch rules require a longer “look-back” period for former directors; and
•Dutch rules permit deviation from the rules if the deviations are explained in accordance with the rules, but NYSE rules do not allow such deviations.
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
Item 16I. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
Item 16K. Cybersecurity Risk Management and Governance
AerCap relies on the secure operation of its information systems and the information systems of its third-party providers to manage, process, store and transmit information in the conduct of its operations. As a result, it faces cybersecurity threats including, but not limited to, hacking, phishing, viruses, malware and other attacks on its digital networks and systems.
AerCap has adopted and maintains an active cybersecurity strategy, including preventative technology solutions, to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats and to respond to cybersecurity incidents. These processes include:
•System selection. We use a Cloud-First strategy, which prioritizes cloud computing over legacy information systems, thereby providing operational resilience and agility with critical business processes, systems and applications available on a near continuous basis.
•System assessment. Our specialist cybersecurity team, in conjunction with external technical specialists and our internal Security Operation Center, apply risk assessment, management and mitigation tools, technologies and processes aligned to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework (“NIST-CSF”). We regularly evaluate our information technology assets, data, systems, and architectures to identify, assess and remediate areas of vulnerability. These evaluations include performing proactive penetration and vulnerability testing and regular maturity assessments against the NIST-CSF security domains. Observations noted are considered as part of our risk assessment procedures.
•System protection. We deploy a variety of methods of defense such as endpoint security, email and web filtering, access management and security monitoring to provide appropriate levels of protection against cybersecurity threats.
•Threat monitoring. We actively monitor our systems to prevent and detect any future cybersecurity threats and separately, we monitor cybersecurity threats or incidents committed against other companies as such events become public. This allows us to remain current with the latest trends in cybersecurity and make improvements to our strategy to ensure that our defenses consider newly identified and developing areas of cybersecurity threat.
•Threat response. We have put in place response procedures for prompt cybersecurity incident identification, reporting and remediation if we are subject to an information system security breach. These include the preparation of detailed response, recovery and business continuity plans in order to minimize the impact of a potential cybersecurity incident. These plans are tested and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they adequately capture the potential impact of newly identified and evolving cybersecurity threats.
•Employee and contractor training. We provide staff and contractors with annual training on cybersecurity risk areas and undertake regular cybersecurity awareness campaigns. The training covers areas such as personal digital footprint, privacy settings, phishing, information security at home and at work, ransomware, password hygiene and business email compromise.
•Compliance with data protection frameworks. We closely monitor changes in data protection rules and guidance. This allows us to maintain compliance with applicable laws and to keep ahead of developments and regulatory shifts.
•Strategy alignment. AerCap has appointed a Director of Cybersecurity who is responsible for overseeing the alignment of the cybersecurity strategy with the strategic plan of the Company.
The processes outlined above have been integrated into our overall risk management strategy through the ongoing maintenance of an IT risk register, populated by the Director of Cybersecurity and reviewed quarterly by our Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), who also acts as Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”). The CIO also reviews our cybersecurity policies, including our IT Security and Cybercrime Policy and our code of conduct on the use of our information technology infrastructure, and our Business Continuity Policy, on an annual basis.
As stated above, we seek the support of external technical specialists in connection with the assessment of our information systems and cybersecurity threat management processes in line with the NIST-CSF. External technical specialists are engaged to carry out an annual NIST-CSF-based assessment of these systems and processes.
Despite the process outlined here, we may experience cybersecurity incidents from time to time. As previously disclosed on January 22, 2024, the Company experienced a cybersecurity incident related to ransomware in January 2024. We promptly took steps to contain, assess and remediate the incident with the support of third-party cybersecurity experts. In addition, we notified law enforcement and appropriate regulatory authorities. There was no material disruption to the Company’s operations. Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to information technology—A cybersecurity incident, including a ransomware attack, could lead to a material disruption of our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers, the loss of business information or losses attributable to fraud, which may hinder our ability to conduct our business effectively or result in lost revenues or other costs,” for further detail on the incident.
For more information on how risks from cybersecurity threats have affected us to date and could materially affect us in the future, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to information technology—A cybersecurity incident, including a ransomware attack, could lead to a material disruption of our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers, the loss of business information or losses attributable to fraud, which may hinder our ability to conduct our business effectively or result in lost revenues or other costs” and “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to information technology—We could suffer material damage to, or interruptions in, our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers as a result of external factors, staffing shortages or difficulties in updating our existing software or developing or implementing new software,” which are incorporated by reference into this Item 16K.
The Board has ultimate responsibility for the oversight of cybersecurity risks and responses to cybersecurity incidents, should they arise. The Board has mandated the Board Audit Committee to manage this responsibility in the first instance, on behalf of the Board. During the year ended December 31, 2023, two Board members (also Audit Committee members) undertook the Cybersecurity Accountability and the Corporate Board course at Carnegie Mellon University.
Our CIO presents a formal annual cybersecurity update to our Board. These discussions generally include an update on the Company’s current cybersecurity risk assessment, any changes in regulations concerning data privacy and cybersecurity, results of the annual NIST-CSF-based assessments and any incidents or breaches which took place during the period. The Audit Committee and Board also regularly receive cybersecurity updates from the CIO, joined by other members of management or external advisors as relevant. Our internal audit function, and auditors performing the Company’s audit in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, also provide regular updates to the Audit Committee and Board on their assessment of the effectiveness of controls over IT systems. The Chief Executive Officer is briefed on an ad hoc basis about cybersecurity incidents, threats and related matters by the CIO. Our CIO is regularly briefed by the Director of Cybersecurity who reports directly to him.
Our CIO is responsible for assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. Our current CIO has served in this position for over eight years and has significant experience in managing complex system implementations on a global scale, transforming IT functions and running high quality teams. His experience extends to working within large multinational companies including IBM, Volkswagen, National Grid and E.ON.
Three management committees, primarily consisting of officers of the Company, support the work of the CIO with respect to cybersecurity matters:
•The IT Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Financial Officer and composed of officers of the Company, meets quarterly to evaluate, rate and manage the cybersecurity and broader information systems risks affecting the Company.
•The Data Protection and Cybersecurity Committee, chaired by the Chief Compliance Officer and composed of officers of the Company, including the CIO and Head of Human Resources, meets quarterly to monitor compliance with applicable data protection requirements, and to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to actively manage cybersecurity threats.
•The Disclosure Committee, composed of senior management and officers of the Company, including the CIO, assists our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in overseeing our financial and non-financial disclosure activities and to ensure compliance with applicable disclosure requirements arising under U.S. and Dutch law and regulatory requirements. The committee also assesses whether any cybersecurity incidents are deemed to require disclosure under SEC requirements.
Incident response procedures are in place to ensure that the occurrence of a cybersecurity incident is appropriately reported to our Group Executive Committee and business continuity plans are mobilized to minimize disruption to business operations.
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements
Please refer to pages F-1 through F-65 of this annual report. Item 19. Exhibits
We have filed the following documents as exhibits to this annual report:
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit | |
1.1 | | | | |
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2.1 | | | | |
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2.2 | | | Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2012, among the Banks and Financial Institutions named therein as ECA Lenders, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as ECA Agent, National Agent, and Security Trustee, Citibank International PLC, as ECA Agent and National Agent, Jetstream Aircraft Leasing Limited, as Principal Borrower, ALS 3 Limited and Airstream Aircraft Leasing Limited, as Borrowers, AerCap Ireland Limited and AerCap A330 Holdings Limited, as Principal AerCap Obligors, the companies named there in as Lessees and Lessee Parents, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and AerCap Holdings, N.V. (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.3 | | | Deed of Amendment, dated as of April 9, 2014, relating to the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2012, among the Banks and Financial Institutions named therein as ECA Lenders, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as ECA Agent, National Agent, and Security Trustee, Citibank International PLC, as ECA Agent and National Agent, Jetstream Aircraft Leasing Limited, as Principal Borrower, ALS 3 Limited and Airstream Aircraft Leasing Limited, as Borrowers, AerCap Ireland Limited and AerCap A330 Holdings Limited, as Principal AerCap Obligors, the companies named there in as Lessees and Lessee Parents, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and AerCap Holdings, N.V. (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.4 | | | | |
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2.5 | | | | |
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2.6 | | | | |
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2.7 | | | Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2023, among AerCap Holdings N.V., AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Ireland Limited, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC, International Lease Finance Corporation, the lending institutions party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.8 | | | Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2021, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 15, 2023, among AerCap Holdings N.V., AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, the lending institutions party thereto and Citibank, N.A, as administrative agent (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.9 | | | | |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit | |
2.10 | | | | |
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2.11 | | | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 29, 2014, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Limited, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.12 | | | Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 2017, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on July 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.13 | | | Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2017, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on November 21, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.14 | | | Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 23, 2018, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on January 23, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.15 | | | Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 12, 2018, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on June 12, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.16 | | | Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 21, 2018, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on August 21, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.17 | | | Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 16, 2019, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on January 16, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.18 | | | Twentieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 3, 2019, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on April 4, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.19 | | | Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2019, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on August 14, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.20 | | | Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2020, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on June 8, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.21 | | | Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on July 2, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.22 | | | Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2020, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on September 28, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit | |
2.23 | | | Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2020, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on September 28, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.24 | | | Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 13, 2021, to the Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2014, by and among AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on January 13, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.25 | | | | |
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2.26 | | | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2019, to the Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2019, among AerCap Holdings N.V., the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on October 10, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.27 | | | | |
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2.28 | | | | |
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2.29 | | | | |
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2.30 | | | | |
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2.31 | | | | |
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2.32 | | | | |
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2.33 | | | | |
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2.34 | | | | |
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2.35 | | | | |
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2.36 | | | | |
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2.37 | | | | |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit | |
2.38 | | | | |
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2.39 | | | | |
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2.40 | | | | |
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2.41 | | | Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2021, among Setanta Aircraft Leasing DAC, as borrower, Aercap Holdings N.V., Aercap Ireland Limited, Setanta Aviation Holdings Limited, Culann Aircraft Leasing Limited, Dagda Aircraft Leasing Limited, the Owner Subsidiaries identified therein and the Intermediate Lessees identified therein, as Obligors, the lenders identified therein, and Citibank N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.42 | | | Term Loan Security Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2021, among Setanta Aircraft Leasing Designated Activity Company, Setanta Aviation Holdings Limited, Culann Aircraft Leasing Limited, Dagda Aircraft Leasing Limited, and the additional grantors referred to therein as grantors, and Citibank, N.A., as collateral agent) (filed as an exhibit to our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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2.43 | | | | |
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2.44 | | | The Company agrees to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of each instrument with respect to issues of long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, the authorized principal amount of which does not exceed 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries | |
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2.45 | | | | |
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4.1 | | | | |
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4.2 | | | | |
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4.3 | | | | |
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4.4 | | | | |
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4.5 | | | Transaction Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2021, by and among GE Ireland USD Holdings ULC, GE Financial Holdings ULC, GE Capital US Holdings, Inc., General Electric Company, AerCap Holdings N.V., AerCap US Aviation LLC and AerCap Aviation Leasing Limited (filed as an exhibit to our Form 6-K on March 12, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference) | |
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4.6 | | | Amendment No. 1 to Transaction Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2021, by and among GE Ireland USD Holdings ULC, GE Financial Holdings ULC, GE Capital US Holdings, GE, the Issuer, AerCap US Aviation LLC, AerCap Ireland Capital DAC and AerCap Aviation Leasing Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Schedule 13D (File No 005-82221) filed by AerCap Holdings N.V. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2021) | |
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4.7 | | | | |
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4.8 | | | | |
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Exhibit | |
4.9 | | | Noteholder Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2021, by and between the Issuer, AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, AerCap Global Aviation Trust, AerCap Aviation Solutions B.V., AerCap Ireland Limited, AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC, International Lease Finance Corporation and GE Capital US Holdings (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Schedule 13D (File No 005-82221) filed by AerCap Holdings N.V. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 10, 2021) | |
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8.1 | | | | |
10.1 | | | | |
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12.1 | | | | |
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12.2 | | | | |
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13.1 | | | | |
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15.1 | | | | |
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17.1 | | | | |
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101 | | | The following financial information formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): | |
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| | (1) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 | |
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| | (2) Consolidated Income Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | |
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| | (3) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | |
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| | (4) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | |
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| | (5) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | |
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| | (6) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags | |
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104 | | | The cover page from the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101) | |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
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| AERCAP HOLDINGS N.V. |
| By: | /s/ AENGUS KELLY |
| | Aengus Kelly Chief Executive Officer |
Date: February 23, 2024
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | | | | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Auditor Name: KPMG, Auditor location: Dublin, Ireland, Audit Firm ID: 1116) | F-2 |
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REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
AerCap Holdings N.V.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AerCap Holdings N.V. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated income statements, statements of comprehensive income, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process 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. 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Assessment of impairment of flight equipment held for operating leases subject to impairment.
As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had US$57.1 billion of flight equipment held for operating leases, net as of December 31, 2023. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that flight equipment held for operating leases may be impaired, an evaluation is performed. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss, measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset group over its estimated fair value, is recognized. The Company recognized an impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We identified the assessment of impairment of flight equipment held for operating leases as a critical audit matter. It required especially subjective auditor judgement, including involvement of valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, to assess certain significant assumptions in the impairment model. Significant assumptions included the follow-on lease assumptions, residual values of flight equipment held for operating leases, maintenance cash flow forecasts, and discount rates. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on any impairment charge recognized on flight equipment held for operating leases.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s impairment process, including controls over the development of the significant assumptions.
We evaluated the reasonableness of the follow-on lease assumptions by comparing these to (i) actual lease rates recently contracted by the Company for the leasing of similar flight equipment and (ii) current industry market data. We compared the residual values of flight equipment held for operating leases to third party appraiser values and expected sale prices. We compared maintenance cash flows forecasts to external appraiser and original equipment manufacturer data and assessed the reasonableness of aircraft utilization against historical actual usage rates.
We also involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in evaluating the discount rate by comparing it against discount rates that were independently developed using data of comparable entities and the cost of capital of the Company.
KPMG
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
Dublin, Ireland
February 23, 2024
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As of December 31, |
| Note | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | (U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share data) |
Assets | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 4 | | $ | 1,627,181 | | | $ | 1,597,147 | |
Restricted cash | 4 | | 198,285 | | | 159,623 | |
Trade receivables | | | 73,667 | | | 132,202 | |
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net | 5 | | 57,091,166 | | | 55,220,809 | |
Investment in finance leases, net | 6 | | 1,254,451 | | | 1,356,072 | |
Flight equipment held for sale | 7 | | 296,696 | | | 292,808 | |
Prepayments on flight equipment | 31 | | 3,576,187 | | | 3,806,602 | |
Maintenance rights and lease premium, net | 8 | | 2,729,962 | | | 3,364,453 | |
Other intangibles, net | 9 | | 163,167 | | | 185,210 | |
Deferred tax assets | 16 | | 275,756 | | | 210,334 | |
Associated companies | 10 | | 971,517 | | | 811,219 | |
Other assets | 11 | | 3,016,524 | | | 2,590,439 | |
Total Assets | | | $ | 71,274,559 | | | $ | 69,726,918 | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 13 | | $ | 1,793,058 | | | $ | 1,494,953 | |
Accrued maintenance liability | 14 | | 2,863,730 | | | 2,503,202 | |
Lessee deposit liability | | | 1,018,702 | | | 806,655 | |
Debt | 15 | | 46,483,903 | | | 46,532,960 | |
Deferred tax liabilities | 16 | | 2,526,120 | | | 2,194,098 | |
Commitments and contingencies | 31 | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 54,685,513 | | | 53,531,868 | |
Ordinary share capital, €0.01 par value, 450,000,000 ordinary shares authorized as of December 31, 2023 and 2022; 215,543,739 and 250,347,345 ordinary shares issued and 202,493,168 and 245,931,275 ordinary shares outstanding (including 4,561,249 and 4,837,602 shares of unvested restricted stock) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively | 18, 28 | | 2,676 | | | 3,024 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 6,594,556 | | | 8,586,034 | |
Treasury shares, at cost (13,050,571 and 4,416,070 ordinary shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively) | | | (819,305) | | | (254,699) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 8,304 | | | 108,226 | |
Accumulated retained earnings | | | 10,802,599 | | | 7,674,922 | |
Total AerCap Holdings N.V. shareholders’ equity | | | 16,588,830 | | | 16,117,507 | |
Non-controlling interest | | | 216 | | | 77,543 | |
Total Equity | | | 16,589,046 | | | 16,195,050 | |
Total Liabilities and Equity | | | $ | 71,274,559 | | | $ | 69,726,918 | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental balance sheet information—amounts related to assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to our general credit: | | | | |
Restricted cash | | | $ | 80,910 | | | $ | 71,940 | |
Flight equipment held for operating leases and held for sale | | | 2,919,819 | | | 2,810,778 | |
Other assets | | | 100,045 | | | 146,239 | |
| | | | | |
Accrued maintenance liability | | | $ | 140,310 | | | $ | 127,010 | |
Debt | | | 1,271,340 | | | 1,016,745 | |
Other liabilities | | | 74,070 | | | 74,012 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Income Statements
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, |
| Note | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | (U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) |
Revenues and other income | | | | | | | |
Lease revenue: | | | | | | | |
Basic lease rents | 21, 24 | | $ | 6,248,994 | | | $ | 5,981,812 | | | $ | 3,891,089 | |
Maintenance rents and other receipts | | | 611,326 | | | 548,734 | | | 520,914 | |
Total lease revenue | | | 6,860,320 | | | 6,530,546 | | | 4,412,003 | |
Net gain on sale of assets | | | 489,620 | | | 228,930 | | | 89,428 | |
Other income | 22 | | 230,478 | | | 254,074 | | | 722,574 | |
Total Revenues and other income | | | 7,580,418 | | | 7,013,550 | | | 5,224,005 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 5, 8, 9 | | 2,480,578 | | | 2,389,807 | | | 1,737,925 | |
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict | 25 | | (1,287,972) | | | 2,665,651 | | | — | |
Asset impairment | 26 | | 86,855 | | | 96,591 | | | 128,409 | |
Interest expense | | | 1,806,442 | | | 1,591,870 | | | 1,230,466 | |
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment | 15 | | 4,097 | | | (2,041) | | | 9,713 | |
Leasing expenses | | | 756,438 | | | 823,600 | | | 319,022 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 19, 20, 23 | | 464,128 | | | 399,530 | | | 317,888 | |
Transaction and integration-related expenses | | | — | | | 33,286 | | | 334,966 | |
Total Expenses | | | 4,310,566 | | | 7,998,294 | | | 4,078,389 | |
Gain (loss) on investments at fair value | | | 2,334 | | | (17,676) | | | 2,301 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method | | | 3,272,186 | | | (1,002,420) | | | 1,147,917 | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | 16 | | (291,056) | | | 164,097 | | | (162,537) | |
Equity in net earnings of investments accounted for under the equity method | | | 166,715 | | | 117,165 | | | 24,051 | |
Net income (loss) | | | $ | 3,147,845 | | | $ | (721,158) | | | $ | 1,009,431 | |
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | | | (11,754) | | | (4,883) | | | (8,924) | |
Net income (loss) attributable to AerCap Holdings N.V. | | | $ | 3,136,091 | | | $ | (726,041) | | | $ | 1,000,507 | |
| | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 28 | | $ | 13.99 | | | $ | (3.02) | | | $ | 6.83 | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | 28 | | $ | 13.78 | | | $ | (3.02) | | | $ | 6.71 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic | | | 224,216,801 | | | 240,486,849 | | | 146,421,188 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted | | | 227,656,343 | | | 240,486,849 | | | 149,005,981 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) |
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,147,845 | | | $ | (721,158) | | | $ | 1,009,431 | |
Other comprehensive (loss) income: | | | | | |
Net (loss) gain on derivatives (Note 12), net of tax of $14,425, $(22,686) and $(11,679), respectively | (99,583) | | | 158,800 | | | 81,751 | |
Actuarial (loss) gain on pension obligations (Note 20), net of tax of $48, $(4,108) and $(1,327), respectively | (339) | | | 28,761 | | | 9,285 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | | | — | | | (15,286) | |
Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (99,922) | | | 187,561 | | | 75,750 | |
| | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) | 3,047,923 | | | (533,597) | | | 1,085,181 | |
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest | (11,754) | | | (4,883) | | | (8,924) | |
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AerCap Holdings N.V. | $ | 3,036,169 | | | $ | (538,480) | | | $ | 1,076,257 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) |
Net income (loss) | $ | 3,147,845 | | | $ | (721,158) | | | $ | 1,009,431 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,480,578 | | | 2,389,807 | | | 1,737,925 | |
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict | (1,269,471) | | | 2,922,350 | | | — | |
Asset impairment | 86,855 | | | 96,591 | | | 128,409 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount, debt premium and lease premium | 253,003 | | | 338,032 | | | 113,981 | |
| | | | | |
Maintenance rights write-off (a) | 328,239 | | | 389,852 | | | 138,780 | |
Maintenance liability release to income | (203,440) | | | (203,490) | | | (273,146) | |
Net gain on sale of assets | (489,620) | | | (228,930) | | | (89,428) | |
Deferred tax expense (benefit) | 280,069 | | | (9,586) | | | (5,905) | |
Share-based compensation | 97,058 | | | 102,848 | | | 96,087 | |
Collections of finance leases | 407,204 | | | 630,427 | | | 124,325 | |
(Gain) loss on investments at fair value | (2,334) | | | 17,676 | | | (2,301) | |
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment | 4,097 | | | (2,041) | | | 9,713 | |
Transaction and integration-related expenses | — | | | — | | | 186,474 | |
Other | (7,392) | | | (161,933) | | | 44,235 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | |
Trade receivables | 56,442 | | | 39,162 | | | 232,119 | |
Other assets | (128,459) | | | 113,374 | | | 112,790 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 220,761 | | | (542,019) | | | 130,333 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,261,435 | | | 5,170,962 | | | 3,693,822 | |
Purchase of flight equipment | (4,662,680) | | | (3,480,074) | | | (1,703,395) | |
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets | 2,121,507 | | | 1,635,777 | | | 796,613 | |
Prepayments on flight equipment | (1,569,706) | | | (391,498) | | | (86,386) | |
Acquisition of GECAS, net of cash acquired | — | | | — | | | (22,493,195) | |
Cash proceeds from insurance claim settlements | 1,254,400 | | | — | | | — | |
Net (disbursements) proceeds from loans receivable | (300,329) | | | 52,682 | | | 32,021 | |
Other | (26,160) | | | 22,614 | | | (4,594) | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (3,182,968) | | | (2,160,499) | | | (23,458,936) | |
Issuance of debt | 6,550,992 | | | 467,996 | | | 26,496,660 | |
Repayment of debt | (6,568,370) | | | (4,230,082) | | | (5,973,508) | |
Debt issuance and extinguishment costs paid, net of debt premium received | (85,408) | | | 379 | | | (422,260) | |
Maintenance payments received | 817,229 | | | 779,824 | | | 448,516 | |
Maintenance payments returned | (201,474) | | | (245,294) | | | (209,087) | |
Security deposits received | 480,950 | | | 332,822 | | | 210,781 | |
Security deposits returned | (256,015) | | | (245,084) | | | (290,758) | |
Redemption of non-controlling interest and dividends paid to non-controlling interest holders | (112,034) | | | (3,957) | | | (323) | |
Repurchase of shares and tax withholdings on share-based compensation | (2,637,589) | | | (17,419) | | | (76,220) | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (2,011,719) | | | (3,160,815) | | | 20,183,801 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 66,748 | | | (150,352) | | | 418,687 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes | 1,948 | | | (7,631) | | | 776 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 1,756,770 | | | 1,914,753 | | | 1,495,290 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 1,825,466 | | | $ | 1,756,770 | | | $ | 1,914,753 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands) |
Supplemental cash flow information: | | | | | |
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized | $ | 1,650,319 | | | $ | 1,565,163 | | | $ | 1,109,948 | |
Income taxes paid (refunded), net | 23,219 | | | (567) | | | 4,928 | |
(a)Maintenance rights write-off consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End-of-lease ("EOL") and Maintenance Reserved ("MR") contract maintenance rights expense | $ | 207,552 | | | $ | 232,622 | | | $ | 7,048 | |
MR contract maintenance rights write-off offset by maintenance liability release | 17,747 | | | 260,245 | | | 17,260 | |
EOL contract maintenance rights write-off offset by EOL compensation received | 102,940 | | | 191,478 | | | 114,472 | |
EOL and MR contract maintenance rights write-off related to the Ukraine Conflict | — | | | (294,493) | | | — | |
Maintenance rights write-off | $ | 328,239 | | | $ | 389,852 | | | $ | 138,780 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Year ended December 31, 2023:
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $171 million, net, was reclassified to investment in finance leases, net/inventory.
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $1.3 billion was reclassified to flight equipment held for sale, net.
Accrued maintenance liability in the amount of $88 million was settled with buyers upon sale or disposal of assets.
In September 2023, other assets and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities increased by $144 million and $124 million, respectively, due to the Azul S.A. (“Azul”) restructuring. Please refer to Note 11—Other assets for further details.
Year ended December 31, 2022:
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $34 million, net, was reclassified to investment in finance leases, net/inventory.
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $379 million was reclassified to flight equipment held for sale, net.
Accrued maintenance liability in the amount of $72 million was settled with buyers upon sale or disposal of assets.
Year ended December 31, 2021:
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $13 million was reclassified to investment in finance leases, net.
Flight equipment held for operating leases in the amount of $398 million was reclassified to flight equipment held for sale, net.
Accrued maintenance liability in the amount of $20 million was settled with buyers upon sale or disposal of assets.
In November 2021, debt and shareholder’s equity increased by $1.0 billion and $6.6 billion, respectively, due to non-cash consideration in the GECAS Transaction.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of ordinary shares issued | | Ordinary share capital | | Additional paid-in capital | | Treasury shares | | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | Accumulated retained earnings | | AerCap Holdings N.V. shareholders’ equity | | Non-controlling interest | | Total equity |
| (U.S. Dollars in thousands, except share data) |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | 138,847,345 | | | $ | 1,721 | | | $ | 2,078,125 | | | $ | (459,994) | | | $ | (155,085) | | | $ | 7,399,703 | | | $ | 8,864,470 | | | $ | 68,016 | | | $ | 8,932,486 | |
GECAS Transaction | 111,500,000 | | | 1,303 | | | 6,581,657 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,582,960 | | | — | | | 6,582,960 | |
Dividends paid | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (323) | | | (323) | |
Repurchase of shares | — | | | — | | | — | | | (35,406) | | | — | | | — | | | (35,406) | | | — | | | (35,406) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation | — | | | — | | | 96,087 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 96,087 | | | — | | | 96,087 | |
Ordinary shares issued, net of tax withholdings | — | | | — | | | (233,175) | | | 209,499 | | | — | | | 10,051 | | | (13,625) | | | — | | | (13,625) | |
Total comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 75,750 | | | 1,000,507 | | | 1,076,257 | | | 8,924 | | | 1,085,181 | |
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 250,347,345 | | | $ | 3,024 | | | $ | 8,522,694 | | | $ | (285,901) | | | $ | (79,335) | | | $ | 8,410,261 | | | $ | 16,570,743 | | | $ | 76,617 | | | $ | 16,647,360 | |
Dividends paid | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3,957) | | | (3,957) | |
Repurchase of shares | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,458) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,458) | | | — | | | (1,458) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation | — | | | — | | | 102,848 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 102,848 | | | — | | | 102,848 | |
Ordinary shares issued, net of tax withholdings | — | | | — | | | (39,508) | | | 32,660 | | | — | | | (9,298) | | | (16,146) | | | — | | | (16,146) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income (loss) | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 187,561 | | | (726,041) | | | (538,480) | | | 4,883 | | | (533,597) | |
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | 250,347,345 | | | $ | 3,024 | | | $ | 8,586,034 | | | $ | (254,699) | | | $ | 108,226 | | | $ | 7,674,922 | | | $ | 16,117,507 | | | $ | 77,543 | | | $ | 16,195,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (12,034) | | | (12,034) | |
Redemption of non-controlling interest | — | | | — | | | (22,953) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (22,953) | | | (77,047) | | | (100,000) | |
Repurchase of shares | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,618,547) | | | — | | | — | | | (2,618,547) | | | — | | | (2,618,547) | |
Share cancellation | (34,803,606) | | | (348) | | | (2,001,587) | | | 2,001,935 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Share-based compensation | — | | | — | | | 97,058 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 97,058 | | | — | | | 97,058 | |
Ordinary shares issued, net of tax withholdings | — | | | — | | | (63,996) | | | 52,006 | | | — | | | (8,414) | | | (20,404) | | | — | | | (20,404) | |
Total comprehensive (loss) income | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (99,922) | | | 3,136,091 | | | 3,036,169 | | | 11,754 | | | 3,047,923 | |
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | 215,543,739 | | | $ | 2,676 | | | $ | 6,594,556 | | | $ | (819,305) | | | $ | 8,304 | | | $ | 10,802,599 | | | $ | 16,588,830 | | | $ | 216 | | | $ | 16,589,046 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
1. General
The Company
AerCap Holdings N.V., together with its subsidiaries (“AerCap,” “we,” “us” or the “Company”), is the global leader in aviation leasing with 2,078 aircraft owned, managed or on order, approximately 1,000 engines (including engines owned and managed by SES), over 300 owned helicopters, and total assets of $71 billion as of December 31, 2023. Our ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AER. Our headquarters is located in Dublin, and we have offices in Shannon, Miami, Singapore, Memphis, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Dubai and other locations. We also have representative offices at the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers, The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) in Seattle and Airbus S.A.S (“Airbus”) in Toulouse.
The Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein include the accounts of AerCap Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries. AerCap Holdings N.V. was incorporated in the Netherlands as a public limited liability company (“naamloze vennootschap” or “N.V.”) on July 10, 2006.
GECAS Transaction
AerCap completed the acquisition of GE Capital Aviation Services (“GECAS”) from General Electric (“GE”) (the “GECAS Transaction”) on November 1, 2021 (the “Closing Date”). Immediately following the completion of the GECAS Transaction, GE held approximately 46% of AerCap’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. During the year ended December 31, 2023, GE sold all 111,500,000 of its AerCap ordinary shares. As of November 16, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares.
2. Basis of presentation
General
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
We consolidate all companies in which we have effective control and all variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which we are deemed the Primary Beneficiary (“PB”) under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810. All intercompany balances and transactions with consolidated subsidiaries are eliminated. The results of consolidated entities are included from the effective date of control or, in the case of VIEs, from the date that we are or become the PB. The results of subsidiaries sold or otherwise deconsolidated are excluded from the date that we cease to control the subsidiary or, in the case of VIEs, when we cease to be the PB.
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are stated in U.S. dollars, which is our functional currency.
Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this document may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. dollar amounts in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
2. Basis of presentation (Continued)
Use of estimates
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
The use of estimates is or could be a significant factor affecting acquisition accounting in a business combination, the reported carrying values of flight equipment, intangible assets, investment in finance leases, net, investments, trade receivables and notes receivable, deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and maintenance liabilities. Actual results may differ from our estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially.
Risk and Uncertainties
In the normal course of business, we encounter several significant types of economic risk, including credit risk, market risk and risks associated with exposure to the aviation industry. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations. Market risk reflects the change in the value of financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying financings. Risks associated with exposure to the aviation industry include the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry, which could adversely impact lessee ability to make payments, increase the risk of unscheduled lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s flight equipment.
We face significant competition and our business may be adversely affected if market participants change as a result of restructuring or bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions, or new entities entering or exiting the industry. After a sustained period of relatively low inflation rates, rates of inflation increased significantly during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, reaching or exceeding recent historical highs in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries. While rates of inflation have decreased from their recent highs, they remain above levels of recent years and in some cases above the inflationary targets of the relevant central banks. High rates of inflation may have a number of adverse effects on our business. Inflation may increase the costs of goods, services and labor used in our operations, thereby increasing our expenses. Increased global inflation has contributed to rising interest rates, which may affect our lease revenues, our interest expense, the market value of our interest rate derivatives, and the market value of our flight equipment.
We are exposed to geopolitical, economic and legal risks associated with the international operations of our business and those of our lessees, including many of the economic and political risks associated with emerging markets. We are exposed to concentrated political and economic risks in certain geographical regions in which our lessees are concentrated. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact of resulting sanctions by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries has adversely affected and may continue to affect our business and financial condition, results and cash flows. We are pursuing claims in the London Commercial Court with respect to our assets that remain in Russia against the insurers under our C&P Policy and against our reinsurers under our former Russian lessees’ insurance policies. We received cash insurance settlements pursuant to insurance settlements with six Russian airlines and their Russian insurers with respect to 67 aircraft and ten spare engines lost in Russia. Insurance settlements discussions are ongoing with respect to our remaining claims under the insurance policies of several other Russian airlines. However, it is uncertain whether any of these discussions will result in any insurance settlements or receipt of insurance settlement proceeds and, if so, in what amount. Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict and Note 31—Commitments and Contingencies for further details.
The supply of commercial aircraft is dominated by Airbus and Boeing and there are a limited number of engine manufacturers. There is a risk that disruptions, including supply chain issues, manufacturing and quality control issues, and any financial instability, at any of these manufacturers may affect our revenues, results of operations, net income and operating cash flows, as our ability to deliver new aircraft and engines to our lessees depends on these manufacturers timely fulfilling their contractual delivery obligations to us.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. dollar amounts in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash includes cash held by banks that is subject to withdrawal restrictions. Such amounts are typically restricted under secured debt agreements and can be used only to maintain the aircraft securing the debt and to provide debt service payments of principal and interest.
Trade receivables
Trade receivables represent unpaid, current lessee rental obligations under existing lease contracts.
Flight equipment held for operating leases, net
Flight equipment held for operating leases is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Flight equipment is depreciated to its estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the asset. The costs of improvements to flight equipment are normally recorded as leasing expenses unless the improvement increases the long-term value of the flight equipment. In that case, the capitalized improvement cost is depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Useful Life (a) | | Residual Value (b) |
Passenger aircraft | 25 years | | 15 | % |
Freighter aircraft | 35 years | | 15 | % |
Helicopters | 30 years | | 20 | % |
Engines | 20 years | | 60 | % |
(a) Useful life may be determined to be a different period depending on the disposition strategy.
(b) Estimated industry price, except where more relevant information indicates that a different residual value is more appropriate.
We periodically review the estimated useful lives and residual values of our flight equipment based on our industry knowledge, external factors, such as current market conditions, and changes in our disposition strategies, to determine if they are appropriate, and record adjustments to depreciation rates prospectively on an individual asset basis, as necessary.
We test flight equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The quarterly impairment assessments are primarily triggered by potential sale transactions, leasing transactions, early terminated leases, credit events impacting lessees or forecasted significant and permanent declines in the demand for asset types. The quantitative impairment test is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other groups of assets, which is the individual asset, including the lease-related assets and liabilities of that asset, such as the maintenance rights assets, lease incentives, and maintenance liabilities (the “Asset Group”). If the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the Asset Group, an impairment loss is recognized. The loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the Asset Group over its estimated fair value.
Fair value reflects the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated from the assets, including its expected residual value, discounted at a rate commensurate with the associated risk. Future cash flows are assumed to occur under current market conditions and assume adequate time for a sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Expected future lease rates are based on all relevant information available, including current contracted rates for similar assets and industry trends.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
On an annual basis, we also perform an assessment of all assets older than five years and held for operating leases to identify potential impairment by reference to estimated future cash flows at the Asset Group level, and perform a quantitative impairment test. We apply significant judgment in assessing whether an impairment is necessary and in estimating significant input assumptions including the future lease rates, maintenance cash flow forecasts, the residual value and the discount rate when performing quantitative impairment tests.
During the lease term, our leases require that the lessee maintain our flight equipment and either provide periodic maintenance rental payments during the lease or provide EOL compensation payments based on the maintenance usage of the flight equipment. In addition, upon lease expiry, the flight equipment undergoes inspection to verify compliance with lease return conditions. We believe that the requirement that the lessee compensate us for the maintenance usage of the flight equipment and our emphasis on maintenance and inspection helps preserve residual values and generally helps us to recover our investment in our leased flight equipment.
Capitalization of interest
We capitalize interest on prepayments of forward order flight equipment and add such amounts to prepayments on flight equipment. The amount of interest capitalized is the amount of interest costs which could have been avoided in the absence of such prepayments.
Investment in finance, sales-type and leveraged leases, net (“Investment in finance leases, net”)
Finance leases include direct financing leases, sales-type leases and leveraged leases. If a lease meets specific criteria under U.S. GAAP, we recognize the lease in investment in finance leases, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and de-recognize the asset from flight equipment held for operating lease. For sales-type leases, we recognize the difference between the asset carrying value and the amount recognized in investment in finance leases, net in net gain on sale of assets in our Consolidated Income Statements. The amounts recognized for finance and sales-type leases consist of lease receivables and the estimated unguaranteed residual value of the flight equipment on the lease termination date, less the unearned income and net of the allowance for credit losses. Expected unguaranteed residual values are based on our assessment of the values of the flight equipment and, if applicable, the estimated EOL payments expected at the expiration of the lease. The unearned income is recognized as lease revenue over the lease term, using the interest method to produce a constant yield over the life of the lease. Finance leases that are mainly financed at commencement with non-recourse borrowings and that meet certain criteria are accounted for as leveraged leases. Leveraged leases are recorded at the aggregate of rentals receivable, net of that portion of the rental applicable to principal and interest on the non-recourse debt, plus the estimated residual value of the leased asset less unearned income. Unearned income is recognized as lease interest income at a level rate of return on the leveraged lease net investment.
Maintenance rights and lease premium, net
Maintenance rights assets are recognized at fair value when we acquire flight equipment subject to existing leases. These assets represent the contractual right to receive the aircraft in a specified maintenance condition at the end of the lease under lease contracts with EOL payment provisions, or our right to receive the aircraft in better maintenance condition due to aircraft maintenance events performed by the lessee either through reimbursement of maintenance deposit rents held under lease contracts with maintenance reserve provisions, or through a lessor contribution to the lessee. Amortization of maintenance rights assets is event-driven, and maintenance rights assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.
For leases with EOL maintenance provisions, upon lease termination, we recognize receipt of EOL cash compensation as lease revenue to the extent those receipts exceed the EOL maintenance rights asset, and we recognize leasing expenses when the EOL maintenance rights asset exceeds the EOL cash received. For leases with maintenance reserve payment provisions, we recognize maintenance rights expense at the time the lessee submits a reimbursement claim and provides the required documentation related to the cost of a qualifying maintenance event that relates to pre-acquisition usage.
Lease premium assets represent the value of an acquired lease where the contractual rental payments are above the market rate. We amortize the lease premium assets on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease as a reduction of lease revenue.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Other intangibles, net
Other intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships recorded at fair value when we acquired International Lease Finance Corporation (“ILFC”). Other intangible assets are amortized over the period during which we expect to derive economic benefits from such assets. The amortization expense is recorded in depreciation and amortization. We evaluate other intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.
Associated companies
Unconsolidated investments where we do not have a controlling financial interest, but over which we have significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, we recognize our share of earnings and losses based on our ownership percentage of such investments in equity in net earnings (losses) of investments accounted for under the equity method in our Consolidated Income Statements. The carrying amount of the equity method investment is included in Associated companies on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 10—Associated companies for further details. Distributions received from equity method investees are classified using the cumulative earnings approach. Under this approach, distributions received are considered returns on investment and are classified as cash inflows from operating activities, unless the cumulative distributions received, less distributions received in prior periods that were determined to be returns of investment, exceed cumulative equity in earnings recognized. When such an excess occurs, the current-period distribution up to this excess is deemed to be a return of investment, and is classified as cash inflows from investing activities.
Other assets
Other assets consist of loans receivable, notes receivable, lease incentives, operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, debt issuance costs, derivative assets, other tangible fixed assets, straight-line rents, prepaid expenses, inventory, investments and other receivables.
Loans receivable
Loans receivable are classified as held for investment (“HFI”) when the Company has the intent and ability to hold the loan for the foreseeable future or until maturity. Loans classified as HFI are recorded at amortized cost. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as adjustments to interest income over the contractual lives of the related loans. If we no longer have the intent and ability to hold a loan for the foreseeable future, then the loan is transferred to assets held for sale (“HFS”) at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell. Once classified as HFS, the amount by which the carrying value exceeds fair value is recognized in our Consolidated Income Statements as an impairment loss.
In a purchase and leaseback transaction where the seller/lessee effectively retains control of the flight equipment asset, the purchase and leaseback is accounted for as a loan financing.
Notes receivable
Notes receivable primarily arise from the restructuring and deferral of trade receivables from lessees experiencing financial difficulties.
Lease incentives
We capitalize amounts paid or value provided to lessees as lease incentives. We amortize lease incentives on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lease as a reduction of lease revenue.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Derivative financial instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate risks. Derivatives are carried in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
When cash flow hedge accounting treatment is applied, the changes in fair values related to the effective portion of the derivatives are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), and the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in interest expense. Amounts reflected in AOCI related to the effective portion are reclassified into interest expense in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects interest expense.
We discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when (i) we determine that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; or (iii) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we recognize the changes in the fair value in current-period earnings. The remaining balance in AOCI at the time we discontinue hedge accounting is not recognized in our Consolidated Income Statements unless it is probable that the forecasted cash flows will not occur. Such amounts are recognized in interest expense when the hedged transaction affects interest expense.
When cash flow hedge accounting treatment is not applied, the changes in fair values related to interest rate-related derivatives between periods are recognized in interest expense in our Consolidated Income Statements.
Net cash received or paid under derivative contracts is classified as operating cash flows in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Other tangible fixed assets
Other tangible fixed assets consist primarily of leasehold improvements, computer equipment and office furniture, and are recorded at historical acquisition cost and depreciated at various rates over the asset’s estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. Depreciation expense on other tangible fixed assets is recorded in depreciation and amortization in our Consolidated Income Statements.
Investments
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost less impairment. We account for our investments with readily determinable fair values at fair value with all changes in fair value recognized in our Consolidated Income Statements.
Income taxes
Income tax expense is comprised of both current and deferred taxes. We recognize income tax expense in our Consolidated Income Statements, our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, and in our Consolidated Statements of Equity to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity. We recognize the benefit of tax positions only to the extent that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. We release tax effects from AOCI using a separate identification approach. We recognize interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense (benefit) in our Consolidated Income Statements and as a liability in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
We recognize deferred taxes resulting from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using the liability method. The differences are calculated at nominal value using the enacted tax rate applicable at the time the temporary difference is expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets attributable to carry forwards and deductible temporary differences are reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Accrued maintenance liability
We use the expense as incurred model for planned major maintenance. Under this method, the estimated maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred. In many instances, there is a short-term timing difference between when we incur the expense and the actual payment of this liability to the third-party maintenance provider. When these timing differences occur, we recognize an expense and accrue the corresponding liability in the Accrued maintenance liability line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
When we lease a used aircraft, the maintenance condition of the aircraft generally will be less than 100% as a result of maintenance life usage by the prior lessee. For the next lessee of the used aircraft, we generally agree to reimburse the cost of the maintenance usage from the prior lessee, if and when the next lessee performs a qualifying maintenance event. These additional payments to our lessees related to prior lessee maintenance usage are generally referred to as “top-up” or lessor contribution payments which are considered to be a lessor cost and are expensed in the period incurred. These payments are in addition to our reimbursements of supplemental maintenance rents received from the current lessee during the lease period based on utilization.
In cases of a lessor contribution, where an aircraft is subject to lease, we consider the maintenance event to be incurred when the maintenance event is completed by the lessee and we confirm that the maintenance event qualifies for reimbursement under the lease provisions. In cases where the aircraft is not subject to lease and we are directing the maintenance activity, we consider the maintenance to be incurred over the period the maintenance activity is performed.
For all lease contracts acquired as part of the GECAS and ILFC transactions, we determined the fair value of our maintenance liability, including lessor maintenance contributions, using the present value of the expected cash outflows. The discounted amounts are accreted in subsequent periods to their respective nominal values up until the expected maintenance event dates using the effective interest method. The accretion amounts are recorded as increases to interest expense in our Consolidated Income Statements.
Debt and deferred debt issuance costs
Long-term debt is carried at the principal amount borrowed, including unamortized discounts and premiums, fair value adjustments and debt issuance costs, where applicable. We amortize the amount of discounts, premiums and fair value adjustments over the period the debt is outstanding using the effective interest method. The costs we incur for issuing debt are capitalized and amortized as an increase to interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs related to our line-of-credit arrangements are presented within other assets.
Fair value measurements
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We measure the fair value of our derivatives and our investments at fair value on a recurring basis and measure the fair value of flight equipment, goodwill and definite-lived intangible assets on a non-recurring basis. Refer to Note 32—Fair value measurements.
Revenue recognition
We lease flight equipment principally under operating leases and recognize basic lease rental income over the life of the lease. At lease inception, we review all necessary criteria to determine proper lease classification. We account for lease agreements that include uneven rental payments on a straight-line basis. The amount of the difference between basic lease rental revenue recognized and cash received is included in other assets, or in the event it is a liability, in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.
Lease agreements where rent is based on floating interest rates are included in minimum lease payments based on the floating interest rate that existed at the commencement of the lease. Increases or decreases in lease payments that result from subsequent changes in the floating interest rate are considered contingent rentals and are recorded as increases or decreases in lease revenue in the period of the interest rate change.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Our lease contracts normally include default covenants, which generally obligate the lessee to pay us damages to put us in the position we would have been in had the lessee performed under the lease in full.
We periodically evaluate the collectability of our operating lease contracts to determine the appropriate revenue recognition and measurement model to apply to each lessee. Accrual-based revenue recognition ceases on an operating lease contract when the collection of the rental payments is no longer probable and thereafter rental revenues are recognized using a cash receipts basis (“Cash Accounting”). In the period when collection of lease payments is no longer probable, any difference between revenue amounts recognized to date under the accrual method and payments that have been collected from the lessee, including security deposit amounts held, is recognized as a current period adjustment to lease revenue. Subsequently, revenues are recognized based on the lesser of the straight-line rental income or the lease payments collected from the lessee until such time that collection is probable. We apply significant judgment in assessing at each reporting date whether operating rental payments are probable of collection by reference to the credit status of each lessee, including lessees in bankruptcy-type arrangements, the extent of overdue balances and other relevant factors.
Revenue from investment in finance leases is recognized using the interest method to produce a constant yield over the life of the lease and is included in basic lease rents for investment in finance leases and other income for loans.
Most of our lease contracts require rental payments in advance. Rental payments received but unearned are recorded as deferred revenue in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Under our flight equipment leases, the lessee is responsible for maintenance, repairs and other operating expenses during the term of the lease. Under the provisions of many of our leases, the lessee is required to make payments of supplemental maintenance rents which are calculated with reference to the utilization of the airframe, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. We record as lease revenue all supplemental maintenance rent receipts not expected to be reimbursed to the lessee. We estimate the total amount of maintenance reimbursements for the lease term and only record maintenance revenue after we have received sufficient maintenance rents to cover the total amount of estimated maintenance reimbursements during the remaining lease term.
In most lease contracts not requiring the payment of supplemental maintenance rents, and to the extent that the aircraft is redelivered in a different condition than at acceptance, we generally receive EOL cash compensation for the difference at redelivery. Upon lease termination, we recognize receipt of EOL cash compensation as lease revenue to the extent those receipts exceed the EOL maintenance rights asset, and we recognize leasing expenses when the EOL maintenance rights asset exceeds the EOL cash received.
The accrued maintenance liability existing at lease termination, if any, is recognized as lease revenue net of the MR contract maintenance rights asset. When flight equipment is sold, the portion of the accrued maintenance liability not specifically assigned to the buyer is released net of any maintenance rights asset balance and is included in net gain on sale of assets.
Other income consists of proceeds from interest revenue, management fee revenue, insurance proceeds, claims sales, inventory sales and income related to other miscellaneous activities. Interest revenue from notes receivable, loans receivable and other interest-bearing instruments is recognized using the effective yield method as interest accrues under the associated contracts. We recognize revenue from bankruptcy claim sales when collectability of sales proceeds is reasonably assured and contingencies, if any, are resolved. Management fee revenue is recognized as income as it accrues over the life of the contract. Income from the receipt of lease termination penalties is recorded at the time cash is received or when the lease is terminated, if revenue recognition criteria are met.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Net gain on sales of assets
We sell flight equipment in the normal course of our operations to manage our fleet and to realize the residual value of the assets at the end of their economic lives. These sales may include aircraft, engines or helicopters on lease to airlines as well as assets that are not on lease. In some cases, the terms and conditions of asset sale transactions may include continuing equity or debt investments in the asset, post-sale performance guarantees of asset cash flows or servicing arrangements. The presence of any of these terms and conditions requires us to determine whether control of the underlying asset has been transferred to the buyer, and whether we no longer have significant ownership risk in the asset, both of which are required for a sale and resulting gain or loss to be recognized.
Total loss write-offs
Total loss write-offs result from the loss of an asset because of an unforeseen event (for example, an airplane crash incident, physical loss by wrongful deprivation, asset seizure, or other loss event). These events may be insured through the lessee’s insurance policies where we are named as the insured, and under our own insurance policies where the lessee’s insurance policy fails to indemnify us. We recognize an insurance receivable to the extent we have a claim from a loss from a total loss write-off event and the likelihood of recovering such loss or portion of the loss is probable at the balance sheet date.
We recognize insurance proceeds in excess of the loss recognized when all contingencies are resolved, which generally occurs when we receive a non-refundable cash payment from the insurers, or when we execute a binding settlement agreement with the insurers where a non-refundable payment will be made.
Unusual or infrequently occurring events or transactions
A material event or transaction that we consider to be unusual in nature or that is expected to occur infrequently, or both, is reported separately in our Consolidated Income Statements, gross of income taxes.
Allowance for credit losses
We are exposed to credit losses on our investment in finance leases, net, and loans and notes receivable (collectively “Financing Receivables”). The credit exposure of our Financing Receivables reflects the risk that our customers fail to meet their payment obligations and the risk that the aircraft value in an investment in finance lease, net is less than the unguaranteed residual value.
We estimate the expected risk of loss of our Financing Receivables over the remaining life using a probability of default and net exposure analysis. The probability of default is estimated based on historical cumulative default data, adjusted for current conditions of similarly risk-rated counterparties over the contractual term. The net exposure is estimated based on the exposure, net of the estimated aircraft value in the instance of investment in finance leases, net, and other cash collateral, including security deposits and maintenance-related deposits, over the contractual term. We also estimate the expected risk of loss on the unguaranteed residual value based on the estimated value of the aircraft at the expiry of the finance lease.
Current expected credit loss provisions are classified as leasing expenses in our Consolidated Income Statements, with a corresponding allowance for credit loss amount reported as a reduction in the carrying amount of the related balance sheet amount. A write-off is recorded when all or part of the Financing Receivable is deemed uncollectable. Write-offs are charged against previously established allowances for credit losses. Partial or full recoveries of amounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in the provision for credit losses. Refer to Note 27—Allowance for credit losses for further details.
Share-based compensation
Employees may receive AerCap share-based awards, consisting of restricted stock units or restricted stock. Share-based compensation expense is determined by reference to the fair value of the restricted stock units or restricted stock on the grant date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation expense is classified in selling, general and administrative expenses.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
Foreign currency
Foreign currency transactions are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the transaction. Receivables or payables denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. All resulting exchange gains and losses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Income Statements. Foreign currency exchange gains or losses on our investments at fair value are recorded in gain (loss) on investments at fair value in our Consolidated Income Statements.
Variable interest entities
We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the PB. We use judgment when determining (i) whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”); (ii) who are the variable interest holders; (iii) the elements and degree of control that each variable interest holder has; and (iv) ultimately which party is the PB. When determining which party is the PB, we perform an analysis which considers (i) the design of the VIE; (ii) the capital structure of the VIE; (iii) the contractual relationships between the variable interest holders; (iv) the nature of the VIE’s operations; and (v) the purposes and interests of all parties involved, including related parties. While we consider these factors, our conclusion about whether to consolidate ultimately depends on the breadth of our decision-making ability and our ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE. We continually re-evaluate whether we are the PB for VIEs in which we hold a variable interest.
Earnings per share
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For the purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period and the weighted average number of potentially dilutive ordinary shares, such as restricted stock units, restricted stock and stock options. In a period where a net loss is recognized, the denominator of the dilutive EPS calculation does not include potentially dilutive ordinary shares.
Reportable segments
We manage our business and analyze and report our results of operations on the basis of one business segment: leasing, financing, sales and management of commercial flight equipment.
Accounting standards adopted during the year ended December 31, 2022
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASC 848”). ASC 848 provided temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to reduce the financial reporting burden in light of the market transition from London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”) and other reference interest rates to alternative reference rates. During the fourth quarter of 2022, we adopted ASC 848 (effective October 1, 2022). The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Topic 848 provides several optional expedients that permit an entity not to apply otherwise applicable U.S. GAAP to contracts or transactions modified or otherwise affected due to reference rate reform, provided the conditions for the respective expedients are met. Before we commenced the transition of these instruments, contracts and leases to reference SOFR instead of LIBOR, we applied optional expedients under Topic 848. When we modified those agreements, we applied optional expedients that allowed us to (a) account for the contract modifications as continuations of the existing contracts without further accounting assessment that might otherwise be required and (b) continue cash flow hedging relationships without de-designation when changes are made to hedge documentation, contractual terms of the hedging instrument or forecasted transaction, hedged risk, and effectiveness assessment method.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
3. Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)
In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extends the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the optional expedients in Topic 848. The adoption of ASU 2022-06, which was effective upon issuance, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
We had certain debt instruments, derivative contracts, and leases that referenced LIBOR. LIBOR was a benchmark interest rate calculated based on information contributed by a panel of large international banks. LIBOR’s administrator announced in March 2021 that it intended to stop publishing the Overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month USD LIBOR settings after June 30, 2023. In April 2023, the FCA announced that the one-month, three-month and six-month US Dollar LIBOR tenors will continue to be published in synthetic form until September 2024, at which point these LIBOR tenors will cease. In anticipation of that cessation, we commenced the transition of our LIBOR-based instruments, contracts and leases to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR” or “Term SOFR”) in October 2022. The transition of our LIBOR-based instruments was completed in October 2023.
Future application of accounting standards:
Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of the annual income tax disclosures. The two primary enhancements include disaggregating existing income tax disclosures related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 should be applied on a prospective basis; however, retrospective application in all prior periods presented in the annual financial statements is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2023-09 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Improvements to Reportable Segmental Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07—Segmental Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segmental Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 enhances segmental reporting through expanding the breadth and frequency of segment disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and early adoption is permitted. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 should be applied retrospectively unless it is impractical to do so and any segment expense categories and amounts disclosed in prior periods are based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
4. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Our restricted cash balance was $198 million and $160 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and was primarily related to our Export Credit Agency (“ECA”) financings, Export-Import Bank of the United States (“Ex-Im”) financings, our AerFunding revolving credit facility, our Brazilian Development Bank (“BNDES”) financing and other debt. Refer to Note 15—Debt.
The following is a summary of our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,627,181 | | | $ | 1,597,147 | |
Restricted cash | 198,285 | | | 159,623 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 1,825,466 | | | $ | 1,756,770 | |
5. Flight equipment held for operating leases, net
Movements in flight equipment held for operating leases during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Net book value at beginning of period | $ | 55,220,809 | | | $ | 57,825,056 | |
Additions | 6,436,690 | | | 4,587,387 | |
Depreciation | (2,446,751) | | | (2,359,868) | |
Disposals and transfers to held for sale | (1,877,175) | | | (1,540,728) | |
Transfers from/to investment in finance leases, net/inventory | (170,900) | | | (34,321) | |
Write-offs and impairment, net (Note 25 and 26) | (71,507) | | | (3,256,717) | |
Net book value at end of period | $ | 57,091,166 | | | $ | 55,220,809 | |
| | | |
Accumulated depreciation and impairment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively: | $ | (13,789,382) | | | $ | (12,448,619) | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
6. Investment in finance leases, net
Components of investment in finance leases, net as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Future minimum lease payments to be received, net | $ | 1,156,693 | | | $ | 1,299,724 | |
Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment | 597,184 | | | 630,538 | |
Less: Unearned income | (490,502) | | | (551,165) | |
| | | |
Less: Allowance for credit losses (Note 27) | (8,924) | | | (23,025) | |
| $ | 1,254,451 | | | $ | 1,356,072 | |
Investment in finance leases consists of direct financing leases, leveraged leases and sales-type leases of flight equipment and represents net unpaid rentals and estimated unguaranteed residual values of leased equipment, less related unearned income. The Company has no general obligation for principal and interest on notes or other instruments representing third-party participation related to leveraged leases; such notes and other instruments have not been included in liabilities but have been offset against the related rentals receivable in the table above.
Our share of net lease payments on leveraged leases is subordinate to the share of other participants who also have security interests in the leased equipment. For federal income tax purposes, we are entitled to deduct the interest expense accruing on non-recourse financings related to leveraged leases.
As of December 31, 2023, the cash flows receivable, including the estimated residual value at lease termination, from finance, sales-type and leveraged leases were as follows:
| | | | | |
| Cash flows receivable |
2024 | $ | 401,340 | |
2025 | 290,173 | |
2026 | 166,050 | |
2027 | 156,133 | |
2028 | 99,184 | |
Thereafter | 640,997 | |
Undiscounted cash flows receivable | $ | 1,753,877 | |
Less: Unearned income | (490,502) | |
Less: Allowance for credit losses | (8,924) | |
| $ | 1,254,451 | |
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized interest income from investment in finance leases, net of $101 million, $130 million and $61 million, respectively, included in basic lease rents.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
7. Flight equipment held for sale
Generally, flight equipment is classified as held for sale when the sale is probable, the asset is available for sale in its present condition, and it is expected to be sold within one year. Flight equipment assets are reclassified from flight equipment held for operating leases to flight equipment held for sale at the lower of the asset carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell. Depreciation is no longer recognized for flight equipment classified as held for sale.
As of December 31, 2023, flight equipment with a total net book value of $297 million was classified as flight equipment held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Aggregate maintenance and security deposit amounts received from lessees of approximately $3 million will be assumed by the buyers of these assets upon consummation of the individual sale transactions.
As of December 31, 2022, flight equipment with a total net book value of $293 million was classified as flight equipment held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Aggregate maintenance and security deposit amounts received from lessees of approximately $67 million was assumed by the buyers of these assets upon consummation of the individual sale transactions.
8. Maintenance rights and lease premium, net
Maintenance rights and lease premium, net consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Maintenance rights | $ | 2,099,513 | | | $ | 2,540,286 | |
Lease premium, net | 630,449 | | | 824,167 | |
| $ | 2,729,962 | | | $ | 3,364,453 | |
Movements in maintenance rights during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | |
Maintenance rights at beginning of period | $ | 2,540,286 | | | $ | 3,292,007 | | |
EOL and MR contract maintenance rights expense | (207,552) | | | (232,622) | | (a) |
MR contract maintenance rights write-off due to maintenance liability release | (17,747) | | | (260,245) | | (a) |
EOL contract maintenance rights write-off due to cash receipt | (102,940) | | | (191,478) | | |
EOL and MR contract maintenance rights write-off due to sale of aircraft | (112,534) | | | (67,376) | | |
Maintenance rights at end of period | $ | 2,099,513 | | | $ | 2,540,286 | | |
(a) EOL and MR contract maintenance rights expense and MR contract maintenance rights write-off due to maintenance liability release for the year ended December 31, 2022 included amounts related to the Ukraine Conflict. Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict for further details.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
8. Maintenance rights and lease premium, net (Continued)
The following tables present details of lease premium assets and related accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2023 |
| Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
Lease premium | $ | 1,002,293 | | | $ | (371,844) | | | $ | 630,449 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
Lease premium | $ | 1,044,915 | | | $ | (220,748) | | | $ | 824,167 | |
Lease premium assets that are fully amortized are removed from the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization columns in the tables above. The weighted average amortization period remaining for lease premium is 5.3 years.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded amortization expense for lease premium assets of $178 million, $224 million and $48 million respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the estimated future amortization expense for lease premium assets was as follows:
| | | | | |
| Estimated amortization expense |
2024 | $ | 163,110 | |
2025 | 121,911 | |
2026 | 105,150 | |
2027 | 88,235 | |
2028 | 73,650 | |
Thereafter | 78,393 | |
| $ | 630,449 | |
9. Other intangibles, net
Other intangibles consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
Customer relationships, net | | $ | 156,059 | | | $ | 177,235 | |
Other intangible assets | | 7,108 | | | 7,975 | |
| | $ | 163,167 | | | $ | 185,210 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
9. Other intangibles, net (Continued)
The following tables present details of customer relationships and related accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2023 |
| Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
Customer relationships | $ | 360,000 | | | $ | (203,941) | | | $ | 156,059 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Gross carrying amount | | Accumulated amortization | | Net carrying amount |
Customer relationships | $ | 360,000 | | | $ | (182,765) | | | $ | 177,235 | |
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded annual amortization expense for customer relationships of $21 million. The weighted average amortization period remaining for customer relationships is 7.4 years.
As of December 31, 2023, the estimated future amortization expense for customer relationships for the next five years is $21 million per year and $50 million in aggregate for the years thereafter.
10. Associated companies
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, associated companies accounted for under the equity method of accounting consisted of the following: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| % Ownership as of December 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
Shannon Engine Support Ltd (“SES”) | 50.0 | | $ | 797,185 | | | $ | 634,701 | |
AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited and its Subsidiaries (“AerDragon”) | 16.7 | | 91,898 | | | 88,240 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Other | 9.5-39.3 | | 82,434 | | | 88,278 | |
| | | $ | 971,517 | | | $ | 811,219 | |
Our share of undistributed earnings of investments in which our ownership interest is less than 50% was $63 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
11. Other assets
Other assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Straight-line rents, prepaid expenses and other | $ | 692,521 | | | $ | 715,751 | |
Notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses (a) (b) | 663,644 | | | 486,223 | |
Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses (c) | 654,925 | | | 351,357 | |
Lease incentives | 152,056 | | | 163,683 | |
Derivative assets (Note 12) | 130,614 | | | 211,993 | |
Investments | 87,055 | | | 62,519 | |
| | | |
Inventory | 85,668 | | | 55,868 | |
Operating lease right of use assets, net (Note 17) | 57,009 | | | 81,952 | |
| | | |
Other receivables, net | 493,032 | | | 461,093 | |
| $ | 3,016,524 | | | $ | 2,590,439 | |
(a)Notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 included $656 million and $459 million, respectively, related to agreements we have executed with customers to reschedule certain lease payments under our leases that are due at the reporting dates. Notes receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 also included $8 million and $27 million, respectively, related to aircraft sale and other transactions.
(b)As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had a $24 million and $111 million, respectively, allowance for credit losses on notes receivable. Refer to Note 27—Allowance for credit losses for further details.
(c)As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, we had a $1 million and $4 million, respectively, allowance for credit losses on loans receivable. Refer to Note 27—Allowance for credit losses for further details. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recognized interest income from loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $35 million, $26 million and $4 million, respectively, included in other income.
Azul Restructuring
We participated in the Azul restructuring completed on September 29, 2023, which included the exchange of certain notes receivable with a net carrying value of $156 million (the “Existing Notes”) held by us and the granting of certain modifications related to our operating leases with Azul (the “Azul Restructuring”). The restructured Existing Notes had a carrying value of $160 million as of December 31, 2023.
In exchange for the Existing Notes, which were due at various dates between 2023 and 2032, we received new notes (“New Notes”) from Azul which are due at various dates between July 2024 and July 2030. In addition, certain of the New Notes may be settled, at Azul’s option, in cash or by the issuance of Azul publicly listed preference shares. The New Notes were initially recognized at an aggregate estimated fair value based on a market rate of interest for similar instruments. No gain or loss was recognized on the exchange of the Existing Notes for the New Notes.
In connection with the operating lease modifications granted, which included modifications of both lease rental and lease term, we recognized deferred revenue included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred revenue amount is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with our lease revenue recognition policies. Refer to Note 13—Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities for further details.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
12. Derivative financial instruments
We have entered into interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. These derivative financial instruments can include interest rate swaps, caps, floors, U.S. treasury locks, options and forward contracts.
As of December 31, 2023, we had interest rate caps, swaps and U.S. treasury locks outstanding, with underlying variable benchmark interest rates of daily SOFR or Term SOFR, as applicable.
We completed the transition of our derivative instruments from LIBOR to Term SOFR during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Some of our agreements with derivative counterparties require a two-way cash collateralization of derivative fair values. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had cash collateral of $1 million and $5 million, respectively, from various counterparties and the obligation to return this collateral was recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. We had not advanced any cash collateral to counterparties as of December 31, 2023 or 2022.
The counterparties to our interest rate derivatives are primarily major international financial institutions. We continually monitor our positions and the credit ratings of the counterparties involved and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one party. We could be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of non-performance by these counterparties. We have not experienced any losses to date.
Our derivative assets are recorded in other assets and our derivative liabilities are recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following tables present notional amounts and fair values of derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Notional amount (a) | | Fair value | | Notional amount (a) | | Fair value |
Derivative assets not designated as accounting cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | $ | 1,150,000 | | | $ | 39,918 | | | $ | 1,727,500 | | | $ | 76,639 | |
Derivative assets designated as accounting cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | $ | 3,165,000 | | | $ | 90,696 | | | $ | 3,641,000 | | | $ | 135,354 | |
Total derivative assets | | | $ | 130,614 | | | | | $ | 211,993 | |
(a)The notional amount is excluded for interest rate contracts which are not yet effective.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
12. Derivative financial instruments (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Notional amount (a) | | Fair value | | Notional amount (a) | | Fair value |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Derivative liabilities designated as accounting cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | $ | 3,590,000 | | | $ | 80,840 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Total derivative liabilities | | | $ | 80,840 | | | | | $ | — | |
(a)The notional amount is excluded for interest rate contracts which are not yet effective.
We recorded the following in other comprehensive gain or loss related to derivative financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
(Loss) Gain | | | | | |
Effective portion of change in fair market value of derivatives designated as accounting cash flow hedges: | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | $ | (123,587) | | | $ | 176,709 | | | $ | 89,993 | |
Derivative premium and amortization | 9,579 | | | 4,777 | | | 3,437 | |
Income tax effect | 14,425 | | | (22,686) | | | (11,679) | |
Net (loss) gain on derivatives, net of tax | $ | (99,583) | | | $ | 158,800 | | | $ | 81,751 | |
We expect to reclassify approximately $72 million from AOCI as a reduction in interest expense in our Consolidated Income Statements over the next 12 months.
The following table presents the effect of derivatives recorded in interest expense in our Consolidated Income Statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Gain (Loss) | | | | | |
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedges: | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | $ | (36,721) | | | $ | 69,336 | | | $ | 19,718 | |
Reclassification to Consolidated Income Statements: | | | | | |
Reclassification of amounts previously recorded in AOCI | 97,788 | | | 17,909 | | | (76,682) | |
Gain (loss) recognized in interest expense | $ | 61,067 | | | $ | 87,245 | | | $ | (56,964) | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
13. Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Deferred revenue | $ | 827,525 | | (a) | $ | 547,662 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 444,042 | | | 475,166 | |
Accrued interest | 348,568 | | | 336,910 | |
Operating lease liabilities (Note 17) | 92,083 | | | 135,215 | |
Derivative liabilities (Note 12) | 80,840 | | | — | |
| $ | 1,793,058 | | | $ | 1,494,953 | |
(a)In September 2023, deferred revenue increased by $124 million due to the Azul Restructuring. Refer to Note 11—Other assets for further details.
14. Accrued maintenance liability
Movements in accrued maintenance liability during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | |
Accrued maintenance liability at beginning of period | $ | 2,503,202 | | | $ | 2,900,651 | | |
Maintenance payments received | 817,229 | | | 779,824 | | |
Maintenance payments returned | (201,474) | | | (245,294) | | |
Release to income upon sale | (87,809) | | | (71,668) | | |
Release to income other than upon sale | (203,440) | | | (770,492) | | (a) |
Lessor contribution, top ups and other | 36,022 | | | (89,819) | | (a) |
Accrued maintenance liability at end of period | $ | 2,863,730 | | | $ | 2,503,202 | | |
(a)Accrued maintenance liability released to income other than upon sale and lessor contribution, top-ups and other for the year ended December 31, 2022 included amounts related to the Ukraine Conflict. Refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict for further details.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt
As of December 31, 2023, the principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness totaled $46.7 billion, which excluded debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium of $213 million, and our undrawn lines of credit were $11.0 billion, availability of which is subject to certain conditions, including compliance with certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2023, we remained in compliance with the financial covenants across our various debt agreements.
The following table provides a summary of our indebtedness as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
Debt obligation | | Collateral (number of aircraft and helicopters) | | Commitment | | Undrawn amounts | | Amount outstanding | | Weighted average interest rate (a) | | Maturity | | Amount outstanding |
Unsecured | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AerCap Trust (b) & AICDC Notes (c) | | | | $ | 31,215,349 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 31,215,349 | | | 3.59 | % | | 2024 - 2041 | | $ | 32,700,000 | |
Revolving credit facilities (d) | | | | 9,300,000 | | | 9,275,000 | | | 25,000 | | | 6.93 | % | | 2025 - 2027 | | — | |
Other unsecured debt | | | | 3,055,000 | | | — | | | 3,055,000 | | | 6.81 | % | | 2024 - 2028 | | 2,010,500 | |
TOTAL UNSECURED | | | | $ | 43,570,349 | | | $ | 9,275,000 | | | $ | 34,295,349 | | | | | | | $ | 34,710,500 | |
Secured | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Export credit facilities (e) | | 38 | | | 1,034,687 | | | — | | | 1,034,687 | | | 2.49 | % | | 2025 - 2035 | | 1,058,269 | |
Institutional secured term loans & secured portfolio loans | | 243 | | | 7,985,863 | | | 318,500 | | | 7,667,363 | | | 6.17 | % | | 2024 - 2032 | | 7,499,339 | |
AerFunding Revolving Credit Facility | | 39 | | | 2,075,000 | | | 1,042,849 | | | 1,032,151 | | | 7.41 | % | | 2027 | | 717,558 | |
Other secured debt (f) | | 14 | | | 742,188 | | | 326,206 | | | 415,982 | | | 5.73 | % | | 2024 - 2041 | | 537,232 | |
Fair value adjustment | | | | — | | | — | | | 993 | | | | | | | 1,778 | |
TOTAL SECURED | | | | $ | 11,837,738 | | | $ | 1,687,555 | | | $ | 10,151,176 | | | | | | | $ | 9,814,176 | |
Subordinated | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subordinated notes | | | | 2,250,000 | | | — | | | 2,250,000 | | | 6.64 | % | | 2045 - 2079 | | 2,250,000 | |
Subordinated debt issued by VIEs | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 27,219 | |
Fair value adjustment | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | (212) | |
TOTAL SUBORDINATED | | | | $ | 2,250,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,250,000 | | | | | | | $ | 2,277,007 | |
Debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium | | | | | | | | (212,622) | | | | | | | (268,723) | |
| | 334 | | | $ | 57,658,087 | | | $ | 10,962,555 | | | $ | 46,483,903 | | | | | | | $ | 46,532,960 | |
(a)The weighted average interest rate for our floating rate debt of $10.3 billion is calculated based on the applicable U.S. dollar SOFR rate, as applicable, as of the most recent interest payment date of the respective debt, and excludes the impact of related derivative financial instruments which we hold to hedge our exposure to floating interest rates, as well as any amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium. The institutional secured term loans and secured portfolio loans also contain base rate interest alternatives.
(b)AerCap Global Aviation Trust, a Delaware Statutory Trust (“AerCap Trust”)
(c)AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company, a designated activity company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of Ireland (“AICDC”)
(d)Asia Revolver and Citi Revolvers (the “Revolving credit facilities”).
(e)An additional $0.8 billion of commitment has been approved by the Export Credit Agencies, subject to customary conditions at drawdown.
(f)In addition to the 14 aircraft, 74 engines are pledged as collateral.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
As of December 31, 2023, all debt was issued or guaranteed by AerCap with the exception of the AerFunding Revolving Credit Facility and the Glide Funding term loan facility.
Maturities of our debt financings (excluding fair value adjustments, debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium) as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | |
| Maturities of debt financing (a) |
2024 | $ | 6,211,679 | |
2025 | 5,958,382 | |
2026 | 8,491,596 | |
2027 | 6,795,888 | |
2028 | 7,744,105 | |
Thereafter | 11,493,882 | |
| $ | 46,695,532 | |
(a)For further detail on debt maturities, please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and capital resources—Contractual obligations.”
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we amortized as interest expense debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium of $75 million, $82 million and $66 million, respectively.
AerCap Trust & AICDC Notes
From time to time, AerCap Trust and AICDC have co-issued additional senior unsecured notes (the “AGAT/AICDC Notes”).
The following table provides a summary of the outstanding AGAT/AICDC Notes as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | |
| Maturities of AGAT/AICDC Notes |
2024 | $ | 5,165,349 | |
2025 | 3,650,000 | |
2026 | 5,250,000 | |
2027 | 4,000,000 | |
2028 | 5,300,000 | |
Thereafter | 7,850,000 | |
| $ | 31,215,349 | |
All of the AGAT/AICDC Notes bear interest at fixed rates ranging from 1.65% to 6.50%.
The AGAT/AICDC Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and by AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap Ireland”), AerCap Aviation Solutions B.V., ILFC and AerCap U.S. Global Aviation LLC. Except as described below, the AGAT/AICDC Notes are not subject to redemption prior to their stated maturity and there are no sinking fund requirements. We may redeem each series of the AGAT/AICDC Notes in whole or in part, at any time, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount plus the applicable “make-whole” premium plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Certain of the AGAT/AICDC Notes are redeemable at our option, at par.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
The indentures governing the AGAT/AICDC Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, restrict our, and our restricted subsidiaries’, ability to incur liens on assets and to consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The indentures also provide for customary events of default, including, but not limited to, the failure to pay scheduled principal and interest payments on the AGAT/AICDC Notes, the failure to comply with covenants and agreements specified in the indentures, the acceleration of certain other indebtedness resulting from non-payment of that indebtedness and certain events of insolvency. If any event of default occurs, any amount then outstanding under the indentures may immediately become due and payable.
In February 2023, AerCap Trust and AICDC completed the redemption of all $600 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of their 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023.
In June 2023, AerCap Trust and AICDC co-issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2028.
In June 2023, AerCap Trust and AICDC redeemed $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of their 4.50% Senior Notes due 2023.
In September 2023, AerCap Trust and AICDC co-issued $900 million aggregate principal amount of 6.10% Senior Notes due 2027 and $850 million aggregate principal amount of 6.15% Senior Notes due 2030.
In November 2023, AerCap Trust and AICDC completed an exchange offer (the “November Exchange Offer”) whereby they co-issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.45% Senior Notes due 2027 in exchange (together with cash payment) for $356 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% Senior Notes due 2024, $276 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875% Senior Notes due 2024 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.65% Senior Notes due 2024. All exchanged Senior Notes were retired upon consummation of the exchange.
In January 2024, AerCap Trust and AICDC co-issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.10% Senior Notes due 2029 and $700 million aggregate principal amount 5.30% Senior Notes due 2034.
GECAS Acquisition Notes
AerCap Trust and AICDC co-issued an aggregate principal amount of $21.0 billion of senior unsecured notes (the “GECAS Acquisition Notes”) in connection with the GECAS Transaction on October 29, 2021. The GECAS Acquisition Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by AerCap and certain other AerCap subsidiaries. The proceeds from the issuance of the GECAS Acquisition Notes were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid in the GECAS Transaction, and to pay related fees and expenses, with any excess proceeds used for general corporate purposes.
On November 1, 2021, AerCap Trust and AICDC also co-issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion of 1.90% Senior Notes due 2025 to a subsidiary of GE in connection with the closing of the GECAS Transaction.
Revolving credit facilities
In March 2018, AerCap entered into a $950 million unsecured revolving and term loan agreement (the “Asia Revolver”) with a maturity of March 2022. In March 2023, AerCap amended the Asia Revolver and extended its maturity to March 2027.
In March 2014, AICDC entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Citi Revolver I”). In February 2023, AICDC amended the Citi Revolver I and extended its maturity to February 2027.
On March 30, 2021, AerCap and AICDC entered into a $4.35 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Citi Revolver II”) with a maturity of September 30, 2025.
In February 2023, the terms of the Citi Revolvers were amended to replace LIBOR with Term SOFR as the relevant reference rate.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
The obligations under the revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries. Availability of borrowings under the revolving credit facilities is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. We have the right to terminate or cancel, in whole or in part, the unused portions of the commitment amounts. Availability of borrowings under the Citi Revolver II commenced upon the Closing Date.
The Revolving credit facilities contain covenants customary for unsecured financings of this type, including financial covenants that require us to maintain compliance with a maximum ratio of consolidated indebtedness to shareholders’ equity, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum ratio of unencumbered assets to certain financial indebtedness.
The facilities also contain covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of AerCap to sell assets, make certain restricted payments and incur certain liens.
Export credit facilities
The principal amounts under the export credit facilities amortize over ten- to 12-year terms. The export credit facilities require that Special Purpose Entities (“SPEs”) controlled by the respective borrowers hold legal title to the financed flight equipment. Obligations under the export credit facilities are secured by, among other things, a pledge of the shares of the SPEs.
The obligations under the export credit facilities are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and/or certain of its subsidiaries, as well as various export credit agencies.
Institutional secured term loans and secured portfolio loans
The following table provides details regarding the terms of our outstanding institutional secured term loans and secured portfolio loans:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Collateral (Number of aircraft) (a) | | Amount outstanding | | Weighted average interest rate | | Maturity | | Amount outstanding |
Institutional secured term loans | | | | | | | | | |
Setanta | 82 | | $ | 2,000,000 | | | 7.61 | % | | 2028 | | $ | 2,000,000 | |
Hyperion | 21 | | 600,000 | | | 7.35 | % | | 2027 | | 1,050,000 | |
Secured portfolio loans | | | | | | | | | |
Celtago & Celtago II | 24 | | 613,034 | | | 4.51 | % | | 2024-2027 | | 731,480 | |
Rhenium | 18 | | 867,714 | | | 6.70 | % | | 2030 | | — | |
Cesium | 15 | | 587,912 | | | 5.68 | % | | 2025 | | 658,580 | |
Goldfish | 13 | | 501,276 | | | 7.01 | % | | 2025 | | 560,084 | |
Scandium | 10 | | 458,867 | | | 5.74 | % | | 2025 | | 517,577 | |
Rhodium | 11 | | 411,343 | | | 4.53 | % | | 2026 | | 459,599 | |
Other secured facilities | 49 | | 1,627,217 | | | 4.75 | % | | 2025-2032 | | 1,522,019 | |
| 243 | | $ | 7,667,363 | | | | | | | $ | 7,499,339 | |
(a)These loans are secured by a combination of aircraft and the equity interests in the borrower and certain special purpose entity (“SPE”) subsidiaries of the borrower that own the aircraft.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
Institutional secured term loans
The Hyperion institutional term loan was originally entered into in 2014. The obligations of the borrowers of the loan are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries.
The Setanta institutional secured term loan was entered into in 2021. The obligations of the borrowers of the loan are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries.
Both the Hyperion loan and the Setanta loan contain customary covenants and events of default for financings of this type, including covenants that limit the ability of the subsidiary borrowers and their subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and create liens, and covenants that limit the ability of the guarantors, the subsidiary borrowers and their subsidiaries to consolidate, merge or dispose of all or substantially all of their assets and enter into transactions with affiliates.
In September 2023, the terms of the Hyperion and Setanta loans were amended to replace LIBOR with Term SOFR as the relevant reference rate along with other amendments.
Secured portfolio loans
The obligations of each of the respective borrowers under each secured portfolio loan are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries.
These loans contain customary covenants and events of default for financings of this type, including covenants that limit the ability of the borrower and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and create liens, and covenants that limit the ability of the guarantors and the borrower and its subsidiaries to consolidate, merge or dispose of all or substantially all of their assets or enter into transactions with affiliates.
The terms of the Scandium, Rhodium and Celtago II facilities were amended to replace LIBOR with Term SOFR as the relevant reference rate. These amendments became effective during the first quarter of 2023. In March 2023, the reference rate indices on the Goldfish facility were amended to replace LIBOR with Term SOFR. We applied an optional expedient under ASC 848 that allowed us to account for the contract modifications as a continuation of the existing contract without further analysis.
In March 2023, we entered into a new $900 million secured facility, the Rhenium facility, with a syndicate of lenders.
AerFunding Revolving Credit Facility
AerFunding 1 Limited (“AerFunding”) is an SPE whose share capital is owned 95% by a charitable trust and 5% by AerCap Ireland. AerFunding is a consolidated VIE formed for the purpose of acquiring aircraft assets. In April 2006, AerFunding entered into a non-recourse senior secured revolving credit facility.
Borrowings under the AerFunding Revolving Credit Facility are secured by, among other things, security interests in and pledges or assignments of equity ownership and beneficial interests in all of the subsidiaries of AerFunding, as well as by AerFunding’s interests in the leases of its assets.
Other secured debt
AerCap has entered into a number of financings, provided by a range of banks and non-bank financial institutions, to fund the purchase of aircraft and for general corporate purposes.
The majority of the financings are guaranteed by AerCap and are secured by, among other things, a pledge of the shares of the subsidiaries owning the related aircraft and, in certain cases, a mortgage on the applicable aircraft. All of our financings contain affirmative covenants customary for secured financings of this type.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
Subordinated debt
The following table provides a summary of the outstanding subordinated debt as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Amount outstanding | | Weighted average interest rate | | Maturity | | Amount outstanding |
ECAPS Subordinated Notes (a) | $ | 1,000,000 | | | 7.29 | % | | 2065 | | $ | 1,000,000 | |
2045 Subordinated Notes | 500,000 | | | 6.50 | % | | 2045 | | 500,000 | |
2079 Subordinated Notes | 750,000 | | | 5.88 | % | | 2079 | | 750,000 | |
| $ | 2,250,000 | | | | | | | $ | 2,250,000 | |
(a)Enhanced Capital Advantaged Preferred Securities (“ECAPS”).
ECAPS Subordinated Notes
In December 2005, ILFC issued two tranches of subordinated notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. Both the $400 million and $600 million tranches have a floating interest rate, with margins of 1.80% and 1.55% respectively, plus the highest of three-month Term SOFR, ten-year constant maturity U.S. Treasury, and 30-year constant maturity U.S. Treasury.
Upon consummation of the ILFC Transaction, the subordinated notes were assumed by AerCap Trust, and AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries became guarantors. ILFC remains a co-obligor under the indentures governing the subordinated notes. The addition of these subsidiary guarantors did not affect the subordinated ranking of these notes.
The ECAPS contain customary financial tests, including a minimum ratio of equity to total managed assets and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Failure to comply with these financial tests will result in a “mandatory trigger event.” If a mandatory trigger event occurs and we are unable to raise sufficient capital in a manner permitted by the terms of the subordinated debt to cover the next interest payment on the subordinated debt, a “mandatory deferral event” will occur, requiring us to defer all interest payments and prohibiting the payment of cash dividends on AerCap Trust’s or ILFC’s capital stock or its equivalent until both financial tests are met or we have raised sufficient capital to pay all accumulated and unpaid interest on the subordinated debt. Mandatory trigger events and mandatory deferral events are not events of default under the indenture governing the subordinated debt.
2045 Junior Subordinated Notes
In June 2015, AerCap Trust issued $500 million of junior subordinated notes due 2045 (the “2045 Junior Subordinated Notes”). The 2045 Junior Subordinated Notes currently bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 6.5% and, beginning in June 2025, will bear interest at the three-month benchmark rate plus 4.3%.
The 2045 Junior Subordinated Notes are guaranteed by AerCap Holdings N.V. and certain of its subsidiaries. We may defer any interest payments on the 2045 Junior Subordinated Notes for up to five consecutive deferral periods. At the end of five years following the commencement of any deferral period, we must pay all accrued and unpaid deferred interest, including compounded interest.
We may at our option redeem the 2045 Junior Subordinated Notes before their maturity in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, on or after June 15, 2025 at 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
The 2045 Junior Subordinated Notes are junior subordinated unsecured obligations, rank equally with all of the issuer’s and the guarantors’ future equally ranking junior subordinated indebtedness, if any, and are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of the issuer’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
15. Debt (Continued)
2079 Junior Subordinated Notes
In October 2019, AerCap Holdings N.V. issued $750 million of junior subordinated notes due 2079 (the “2079 Junior Subordinated Notes”). The 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes currently bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 5.875% and, from October 2024, will bear interest at a rate equal to the five-year U.S. Treasury Rate plus 4.535%, to be reset on each subsequent five-year anniversary.
We may forgo payment of interest on the 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes for any interest period. Upon a forgoing of interest, we will have no obligation to pay the forgone interest on the payment date or at any future date. The 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes are guaranteed by certain of AerCap Holdings N.V.’s subsidiaries.
We may at our option redeem the 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes before their maturity in whole or in part on October 10, 2024 (the “First Call Date”) and on each subsequent five-year anniversary of the First Call Date, at 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon for the then-current six-month interest period.
The 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes are junior subordinated unsecured obligations, rank equally with all of the issuer’s and the guarantors’ future equally ranking junior subordinated obligations, if any, and are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of the issuer’s and the guarantors’ present and future creditors (i) who are unsubordinated creditors, (ii) who are subordinated only to the claims of unsubordinated creditors, or (iii) who are subordinated creditors except those whose claims rank equally with or junior to the 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes. As of December 31, 2023, the 2079 Junior Subordinated Notes rank senior only to the issuer’s and the guarantors’ common and preferred stock.
Subordinated debt issued by VIEs
AerCap holds subordinated loan notes issued by certain consolidated VIEs. The subordinated debt held by AerCap is eliminated on consolidation of the VIEs.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the sale of our variable interests in certain entities to our joint venture partner. As of December 31, 2023, we had no remaining subordinated debt issued by joint ventures.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
16. Income taxes
Our subsidiaries are subject to income taxation in a number of tax jurisdictions, principally Ireland.
Income before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method for 2023 includes income of $3.2 billion relating to Ireland and income of $0.1 billion relating to other jurisdictions. Loss before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method for 2022 includes a loss of $1.1 billion relating to Ireland and income of $0.1 billion relating to other jurisdictions. Income before income taxes and income of investments accounted for under the equity method for 2021 includes income of $1.1 billion relating to Ireland and income of $0.1 billion relating to other jurisdictions.
The following table presents our income tax expense (benefit) by significant tax jurisdiction for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Deferred tax expense (benefit), excluding the net change in valuation allowance | | | | | |
Ireland | $ | 300,646 | | | $ | 25,648 | | | $ | (26,968) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Other | 28,572 | | | (3,118) | | | 9,642 | |
| 329,218 | | | 22,530 | | | (17,326) | |
Deferred tax (benefit) expense related to the net change in valuation allowance | | | | | |
Ireland | 957 | | | 5,621 | | | 3,128 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Other | (50,106) | | | (37,737) | | | 8,293 | |
| (49,149) | | | (32,116) | | | 11,421 | |
Current tax expense (benefit) | | | | | |
Ireland | 13,147 | | | (159,730) | | | 160,866 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Other | (2,160) | | | 5,219 | | | 7,576 | |
| 10,987 | | | (154,511) | | | 168,442 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 291,056 | | | $ | (164,097) | | | $ | 162,537 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
16. Income taxes (Continued)
The following table provides a reconciliation of the income tax expense (benefit) at the domestic trading statutory income tax rate in Ireland, being 12.5%, where the Company is tax resident, to income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory income tax rate of 12.5% | $ | 409,023 | | 12.5 | % | | $ | (125,303) | | 12.5 | % | | $ | 143,490 | | 12.5 | % | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Foreign rate differential | 6,025 | | 0.2 | % | | 13,701 | | (1.3 | %) | | 6,279 | | 0.6 | % | |
Other reconciling items | 14,275 | | 0.4 | % | (a) | (20,380) | | 2.0 | % | (d) | 1,347 | | 0.1 | % | (e) |
Remeasurement of deferred taxes | (43,806) | | (1.3 | %) | (b) | — | | — | | | — | | — | | |
Gains not taxable | (45,312) | | (1.4 | %) | (c) | — | | — | | | — | | — | | |
Valuation allowance | (49,149) | | (1.5 | %) | | (32,115) | | 3.2 | % | | 11,421 | | 1.0 | % | |
| (117,967) | | (3.6 | %) | | (38,794) | | 3.9 | % | | 19,047 | | 1.7 | % | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 291,056 | | 8.9 | % | | $ | (164,097) | | 16.4 | % | | $ | 162,537 | | 14.2 | % | |
(a)The 2023 other reconciling items include the following tax-effected amounts: non-deductible interest expense of $6 million, withholding taxes of $13 million and other items of $5 million.
(b)The 2023 remeasurement of deferred taxes relates to the reversal of a deferred tax liability for undistributed profits that may now be recovered in a tax-free manner.
(c)The 2023 gains not taxable arises due to tax-exempt gains realized by group companies on the release of intra-group liabilities.
(d)The 2022 other reconciling items included the following tax-effected amounts: non-deductible expenses of $8 million, a benefit relating to a consolidation of group of $22 million and other items of $7 million.
(e)The 2021 other reconciling items included the following tax-effected amounts: non-deductible expenses of $19 million, non-taxable income of $19 million, and other items of $1 million.
The calculation of income for income tax purposes differs significantly from financial statement income. Deferred tax is provided to reflect the impact of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured under income tax law in the various jurisdictions. Operating loss carryforwards and accelerated tax depreciation on flight equipment give rise to our most significant deferred tax assets and liabilities.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
16. Income taxes (Continued)
The following tables provide details regarding the principal components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities by significant jurisdiction as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2023 |
| Ireland | | | | Other | | Total |
Deferred tax assets | | | | | | | |
Flight equipment | $ | 8,690 | | | | | $ | 3,991 | | | $ | 12,681 | |
Other intangibles | — | | | | | 77,344 | | | 77,344 | |
Deferred losses on sale of assets | — | | | | | 11,937 | | | 11,937 | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards | 1,991,125 | | | | | 94,955 | | | 2,086,080 | |
Other | 1,756 | | | | | 20,450 | | | 22,206 | |
Total deferred tax assets | 2,001,571 | | | | | 208,677 | | | 2,210,248 | |
Valuation allowance | (17,242) | | | | | (53,570) | | | (70,812) | |
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | $ | 1,984,329 | | | | | $ | 155,107 | | | $ | 2,139,436 | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | |
Flight equipment | $ | (4,274,880) | | | | | $ | (82,174) | | | $ | (4,357,054) | |
Other intangibles | (20,193) | | | | | — | | | (20,193) | |
Other | (6,325) | | | | | (6,228) | | | (12,553) | |
Total deferred tax liabilities | $ | (4,301,398) | | | | | $ | (88,402) | | | $ | (4,389,800) | |
| | | | | | | |
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets | $ | (2,317,069) | | | | | $ | 66,705 | | | $ | (2,250,364) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Ireland | | | | Other | | Total |
Deferred tax assets | | | | | | | |
Flight equipment | $ | 289,860 | | | | | $ | 4,512 | | | $ | 294,372 | |
Other intangibles | — | | | | | 74,998 | | | 74,998 | |
Deferred losses on sale of assets | — | | | | | 13,509 | | | 13,509 | |
Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards | 1,723,673 | | | | | 116,152 | | | 1,839,825 | |
Other | 8,608 | | | | | 7,356 | | | 15,964 | |
Total deferred tax assets | 2,022,141 | | | | | 216,527 | | | 2,238,668 | |
Valuation allowance | (16,285) | | | | | (103,676) | | | (119,961) | |
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | $ | 2,005,856 | | | | | $ | 112,851 | | | $ | 2,118,707 | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | |
Flight equipment | $ | (3,964,247) | | | | | $ | (59,403) | | | $ | (4,023,650) | |
Other intangibles | (22,927) | | | | | — | | | (22,927) | |
Other | (51,306) | | | | | (4,588) | | | (55,894) | |
Total deferred tax liabilities | $ | (4,038,480) | | | | | $ | (63,991) | | | $ | (4,102,471) | |
| | | | | | | |
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) assets | $ | (2,032,624) | | | | | $ | 48,860 | | | $ | (1,983,764) | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
16. Income taxes (Continued)
The net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2023 of $2.3 billion were recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as deferred tax assets of $276 million and as deferred tax liabilities of $2.5 billion.
The net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2022 of $2.0 billion were recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as deferred tax assets of $210 million and as deferred tax liabilities of $2.2 billion.
The following table presents the movements in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | |
Valuation allowance at beginning of period | $ | 119,961 | | | $ | 152,077 | | | |
| | | | | |
Increase of allowance included in income tax expense | 2,035 | | | 5,810 | | | |
Decrease of allowance included in income tax expense | (51,184) | | | (37,926) | | | |
Net decrease in valuation allowance | (49,149) | | | (32,116) | | | |
Valuation allowance at end of period | $ | 70,812 | | | $ | 119,961 | | | |
The Company has assessed, on a jurisdictional basis, the realization of its deferred tax assets, including the ability to carry back net operating losses, the existence of taxable temporary differences, the availability of tax planning strategies and available sources of future taxable income. The Company has concluded that based on cumulative taxable income and future taxable income that it will be able to realize a benefit for its deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. In addition, the Company has concluded that a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets in Ireland and certain other jurisdictions continues to be appropriate considering income projections and uncertainty with respect to future taxable income.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company released a net valuation allowance of $49 million as an income tax benefit. The Company determined that the positive evidence outweighed the negative evidence, resulting in the valuation allowance release. It is possible that within the next 12 months there may be sufficient positive evidence to release a portion of the remaining valuation allowance. Release of a portion of the remaining valuation allowance would result in a benefit to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded, which could have an impact on net earnings. The timing and amount of the potential valuation allowance release are subject to significant management judgment, as well as prospective earnings in Ireland and certain other foreign entities and jurisdictions.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company released a net valuation allowance of $32 million as an income tax benefit.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company assumed a $61 million valuation allowance as a result of the GECAS Transaction and recognized a net valuation allowance of $11 million as income tax expense, made up of gross increases of $12 million and gross decreases of $1 million.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had $17 million and $32 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. Substantially all of the unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. Although it is reasonably possible that a change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months, based on the information currently available, we do not expect any change to be material to our consolidated financial condition.
Our major tax jurisdiction is Ireland where our tax returns are open for examination from 2019 forward.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
16. Income taxes (Continued)
Global Tax Reform
In 2019, the OECD announced an initiative to create an international consensus on new rules (referred to as “BEPS 2.0”) for the framework governing international taxation, which was supported by the publication of the Pillar One and Pillar Two Blueprint Reports (the “Blueprints”) in 2020. In 2021, the European Commission published an EU Directive (the “EU Minimum Tax Directive”) to incorporate the Pillar Two minimum tax rate rules into EU law. Ireland has enacted the EU Minimum Tax Directive into domestic legislation and the implementation of these rules may impact the results of our operations in Ireland and certain other jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries are based. The introduction of the EU Minimum Tax Directive means the group must be taxed at a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. In Ireland, the EU Minimum Tax Directive has been implemented by means of a new top-up tax to achieve an effective rate of 15% that will become effective in 2024. Further guidance is expected from the OECD or the Irish tax authority as to how certain aspects of Pillar Two will operate. Any future guidance or directives issued by the OECD or the Irish tax authority could alter the operation of this tax and any such changes to how this tax operates could have an adverse impact on our effective tax rate and cash tax liabilities in future periods.
Ireland
Since 2006, the enacted Irish trading corporate income tax rate has been 12.5%. Some of our Irish tax-resident operating subsidiaries have significant operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2023, which give rise to deferred tax assets. These operating loss carryforwards of $15.8 billion do not expire with time. In addition, the vast majority of all of our Irish tax-resident subsidiaries are entitled to accelerated aircraft depreciation for income tax purposes and to shelter net taxable income with the surrender of losses on a current year basis within the Irish tax group. Based on projected taxable profits in our Irish subsidiaries, we expect to recover the majority of the value of our Irish deferred tax assets and we have not recognized a valuation allowance against these assets, with the exception of $5 million, as of December 31, 2023. We also have $12 million of tax credit carryforwards, which do not expire with time, available in Ireland. A valuation allowance has been recognized in full against these tax credit carryforwards.
United States
As of December 31, 2023, we have U.S. federal net operating carryforwards of $325 million, of which $133 million expire between 2028 and 2038 and $192 million are available to offset future federal taxable income indefinitely. Additionally, of the $133 million of net operating loss carryforwards with defined expiration dates, $52 million are subject to annual limitation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 382. We have net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $4 million, which expire between 2035 and 2042.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
17. Leases
We lease office space in several locations globally under operating lease arrangements, and in limited instances may enter into operating or finance leases for flight equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of up to 18 years, and in some cases we have options to extend the lease terms for up to ten years. Our finance lease arrangements may be terminated prior to their original expiration date at our discretion.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, operating lease ROU assets net of lease incentives and lease deficiencies included in other assets were $57 million and $82 million, respectively, and operating lease liabilities included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities were $92 million and $135 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, finance lease liabilities included in other secured debt were $140 million and $137 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| Operating leases | | Finance leases | | Operating leases | | Finance leases |
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | 4.3 | | 13.7 | | 4.5 | | 14.3 |
Weighted average discount rate | 4.1 | % | | 6.5 | % | | 3.8 | % | | 6.5 | % |
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating leases | | Finance leases |
2024 | $ | 50,221 | | | $ | 12,800 | |
2025 | 13,174 | | | 12,800 | |
2026 | 8,670 | | | 12,800 | |
2027 | 8,702 | | | 12,800 | |
2028 | 8,258 | | | 12,800 | |
Thereafter | 18,745 | | | 171,505 | |
Total lease payments | $ | 107,770 | | | $ | 235,505 | |
Less: Imputed interest | (15,687) | | | (95,931) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 92,083 | | | $ | 139,574 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
18. Equity
On November 1, 2021, AerCap completed the GECAS Transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, GE received 111.5 million newly issued AerCap ordinary shares.
Share repurchase programs
During the year ended December 31, 2022 we did not have any authorized share repurchase programs.
The following table presents our share repurchase programs for the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Program approval date | | Program end date | | Authorized amount | | Program completion date |
March 2023 | | September 30, 2023 | | $ | 500,000 | | | March 13, 2023 |
April 2023 | | September 30, 2023 | | 500,000 | | | September 14, 2023 |
July 2023 | | December 31, 2023 | | 500,000 | | | September 14, 2023 |
September 2023 | | December 31, 2023 | | 650,000 | | | November 16, 2023 |
October 2023 | | March 31, 2024 | | 500,000 | | | January 12, 2024 |
December 2023 | | March 31, 2024 | | 250,000 | | | Not yet completed |
In February 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing total repurchases of up to $500 million of AerCap ordinary shares through September 30, 2024. Refer to Note 33—Subsequent events for further details.
On March 13, 2023, we announced the completion of an underwritten secondary offering (the “March Secondary Offering”) of 23.0 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a price to the public of $58.50 per ordinary share. Concurrent with the March Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 8.8 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase program at a price of $56.89 per ordinary share.
On September 14, 2023, we announced the completion of a second underwritten secondary offering (the “September Secondary Offering”) of 46.8 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a public price of $59.00 per ordinary share. As part of the September Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 17.5 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase programs at a price of $57.53 per ordinary share.
On November 16, 2023, we announced the completion of a third underwritten secondary offering (the “November Secondary Offering”) of 30.7 million AerCap ordinary shares by GE at a public price of $65.25 per ordinary share. As part of the November Secondary Offering, we repurchased an aggregate of 7.9 million of our ordinary shares from GE under our share repurchase programs at a price of $63.62 per ordinary share. Upon completion of this offering and the concurrent share repurchase, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased an aggregate of 44.3 million of our ordinary shares under our share repurchase programs at an average price of $59.09 per ordinary share, including the repurchase of 36.4 million of our ordinary shares from GE.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our Board of Directors cancelled 34.8 million ordinary shares which were acquired through the share repurchase programs in accordance with the authorizations obtained from the Company’s shareholders.
Between January 1, 2024 and February 20, 2024, we repurchased an aggregate of 2.2 million of our ordinary shares under our share repurchase programs at an average price of $76.17 per ordinary share.
Non-controlling interest
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we redeemed Market Auction Preferred Stock (“MAPS”), previously recognized within non-controlling interest. The MAPS were redeemed for par value of $100 million. The difference between the par value of $100 million and the carrying value of $77 million was reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
19. Share-based compensation
Under our equity incentive plans, we grant restricted stock units and restricted stock to directors, officers and employees to attract and retain them on competitive terms, and to incentivize superior performance with a view to creating long-term value for the benefit of the Company, its shareholders and other stakeholders.
AerCap equity grants
In March 2012, we implemented an equity incentive plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan 2012”) which provides for the grant of equity awards to participants of the plan selected by the Nomination and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The maximum number of equity awards available under the plan is equivalent to 8.1 million ordinary shares. The Equity Incentive Plan 2012 is not open for equity awards to our directors.
In May 2014, we implemented an equity incentive plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan 2014”) which provides for the grant of equity awards to participants of the plan selected by the Nomination and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The maximum number of equity awards available under the plan is equivalent to 8.5 million ordinary shares. The Equity Incentive Plan 2014 is open for equity awards to our directors.
The Equity Incentive Plan 2014 and Equity Incentive Plan 2012 are collectively referred to herein as “AerCap Equity Plans.”
The terms and conditions, including the vesting conditions, of the equity awards granted under AerCap Equity Plans are determined by the Nomination and Compensation Committee and, for our directors, by the Board of Directors in line with the remuneration policies approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders. The vesting periods of the majority of equity awards range between three and five years. Our long-term equity awards are subject to long-term performance vesting criteria, based on the Company’s U.S. GAAP EPS budget over the specified periods, in order to promote and encourage superior performance over a prolonged period of time. Our Chief Executive Officer receives an annual equity award as part of his compensation package. All outstanding awards of restricted stock units are convertible into ordinary shares of the Company at a ratio of one-to-one, prior to deduction for payroll withholding taxes, if applicable. Ordinary shares subject to outstanding equity awards, which are not issued or delivered by reason of, amongst others, the cancellation or forfeiture of such awards or the withholding of such ordinary shares to settle tax obligations, shall again be available under the AerCap Equity Plans.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
19. Share-based compensation (Continued)
The following table presents movements in the outstanding restricted stock units and restricted stock under the AerCap Equity Plans during the year ended December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| Number of service-based restricted stock units and restricted stock | | Number of performance-based restricted stock units and restricted stock | | Weighted average grant date fair value of service-based grants ($) | | Weighted average grant date fair value of performance-based grants ($) |
Number at beginning of period | 2,929,585 | | | 4,010,991 | | | $ | 49.94 | | | $ | 51.18 | |
Granted (a) | 813,256 | | | 625,169 | | | 63.48 | | | 65.72 | |
Vested (b) | (1,369,328) | | | (234,340) | | | 47.87 | | | 55.11 | |
Forfeited | (18,076) | | | (11,551) | | | 52.64 | | | 64.13 | |
Number at end of period | 2,355,437 | | | 4,390,269 | | | $ | 55.80 | | | $ | 53.01 | |
(a)Includes 830,580 shares of restricted stock granted under the AerCap Equity Plans, of which 538,853 shares of restricted stock were issued, with the remaining 291,727 ordinary shares being withheld and applied to pay the taxes involved. As part of the 291,727 ordinary shares withheld to pay for taxes, 162,316 ordinary shares were treated as granted and subsequently vested on the grant date under specific Irish tax legislation. As a result, we recognized an expense of $10 million on the grant dates associated with these ordinary shares.
(b)465,998 restricted stock units, which were previously granted under the AerCap Equity Plans, vested. In connection with the vesting of the restricted stock units, the Company issued, in full satisfaction of its obligations, 295,547 ordinary shares to the holders of these restricted stock units, with the remainder being withheld and applied to pay the taxes in respect of those awards. Restrictions on 982,882 shares of restricted stock (813,500 shares of restricted stock net of withholding for taxes) lapsed during the period. In addition, 162,316 ordinary shares were treated as granted and subsequently vested on the grant dates, as described in (a) above.
In general, the amount of share-based compensation expense is determined by reference to the fair value of the restricted stock units or restricted stock on the grant date, based on the trading price of the Company’s shares on the grant date and reflective of the probability of vesting. The share-based compensation expense was $97 million and $103 million, and the related income tax benefit was $16 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table presents our expected share-based compensation expense based on existing grants, assuming that the established performance criteria are met and that no forfeitures occur:
| | | | | |
| Expected share-based compensation expense |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
2024 | $ | 93.1 | |
2025 | 57.3 | |
2026 | 24.9 | |
2027 | 4.1 | |
20. Post-retirement benefit plans
We provide separate defined benefit pension plans covering a small number of our employees based on years of service and pensionable pay. These plans are funded through contributions by the Company and invested in trustee administered funds. These plans are now closed to new participants and ceased accruing benefits for existing participants after December 31, 2022. Other assets as of December 31, 2023 included a $10 million asset related to the defined benefit position in respect of these pension plans. Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities as of December 31, 2022 included $3 million, related to the defined benefit obligation in respect of these pension plans.
We operate defined contribution pension plans for our employees. These plans do not have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Income Statements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
21. Geographic information
The following table presents the percentage of lease revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of our total lease revenue in any year presented, based on each lessee’s principal place of business, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % |
China (a) | $ | 1,153,435 | | | 16.8 | % | | $ | 1,106,429 | | | 16.9 | % | | $ | 782,297 | | | 17.7 | % |
United States | 1,087,541 | | | 15.9 | % | | 1,032,503 | | | 15.8 | % | | 579,270 | | | 13.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other countries (b) | 4,619,344 | | | 67.3 | % | | 4,391,614 | | | 67.3 | % | | 3,050,436 | | | 69.2 | % |
Total | $ | 6,860,320 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 6,530,546 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 4,412,003 | | | 100.0 | % |
(a)Includes mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
(b)No individual country within this category, including Ireland, where our headquarters is located, accounts for more than 10% of our lease revenue.
The following table presents the percentage of long-lived assets, including flight equipment held for operating leases, flight equipment held for sale, investment in finance leases, net and maintenance rights assets, attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of our total long-lived assets in any year presented, based on each lessee’s principal place of business, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Amount | | % | | Amount | | % |
China (a) | $ | 9,537,078 | | | 15.7 | % | | $ | 10,005,969 | | | 16.9 | % |
United States | 8,870,847 | | | 14.6 | % | | 9,104,327 | | | 15.4 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Other countries (b) | 42,230,605 | | | 69.7 | % | | 40,181,282 | | | 67.7 | % |
Total | $ | 60,638,530 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 59,291,578 | | | 100.0 | % |
(a)Includes mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
(b)No individual country within this category, including Ireland, where our headquarters is located, accounts for more than 10% of our long-lived assets.
During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had no lessees that represented more than 10% of total lease revenue.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
22. Other income
Other income consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | 2021 |
Management fees | $ | 33,815 | | | | $ | 38,229 | | | $ | 15,725 | |
Proceeds from unsecured claims | 5,754 | | | | 98,565 | | | 635,075 | |
Interest and other income | 190,909 | | | | 117,280 | | | 71,774 | |
| $ | 230,478 | | | | $ | 254,074 | | | $ | 722,574 | |
On April 22, 2021, we entered into a claims sale and purchase agreement with a third party for the sale of certain unsecured claims filed by various AerCap companies against LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and certain of its subsidiaries in the Chapter 11 case captioned LATAM Airlines Group S.A., et al., Case No. 20-11254 (JLG) (Jointly Administered). Subsequent to the bankruptcy court entering an order establishing the allowed claim amount in May 2021, the sale of a portion of the unsecured claims closed. Approximately $595 million of sale proceeds were recognized in other income during the year ended December 31, 2021. In June 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order establishing the allowed claim amount and the sale of the final portion of the unsecured claims closed. Approximately $39 million of sale-related proceeds were recognized in other income during the year ended December 31, 2022.
23. Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Personnel expenses | $ | 208,715 | | | $ | 174,004 | | | $ | 150,286 | |
Share-based compensation | 97,058 | | | 102,848 | | | 96,087 | |
Professional services | 40,251 | | | 37,805 | | | 28,999 | |
Travel expenses | 38,700 | | | 24,752 | | | 5,649 | |
Office expenses | 25,307 | | | 23,930 | | | 15,417 | |
Other expenses | 54,097 | | | 36,191 | | | 21,450 | |
| $ | 464,128 | | | $ | 399,530 | | | $ | 317,888 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
24. Lease revenue
Our current operating lease agreements expire up to and over the next 16 years. The contracted minimum future lease payments receivable from lessees for flight equipment on non-cancelable operating leases for our owned aircraft, engines and helicopters as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | |
| Contracted minimum future lease payments receivable |
2024 | $ | 6,384,586 | |
2025 | 6,001,847 | |
2026 | 5,512,314 | |
2027 | 4,931,941 | |
2028 | 4,360,764 | |
Thereafter | 14,980,420 | |
| $ | 42,171,872 | |
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, 5% and 6%, respectively, of our basic lease rents from flight equipment under operating leases was attributable to leases with variable lease rates, including lease rents tied to floating interest rates and power-by-the-hour (“PBH”) agreements.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
25. Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine and has since been engaged in a broad military conflict with Ukraine (the “Ukraine Conflict”). In response to the Ukraine Conflict and ongoing related hostilities, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries have imposed broad, far-reaching sanctions against Russia, certain Russian persons and certain activities involving Russia or Russian persons (the “Sanctions”).
In compliance with all applicable sanctions in March 2022, we terminated the leasing of all of our aircraft and engines with Russian airlines. These terminations have resulted in reduced revenues and operating cash flows.
The Ukraine Conflict, the Sanctions and the actions of our former Russian lessees and the Russian government together have represented an unusual and infrequent event and therefore the related net charges are classified separately on our Consolidated Income Statements. During 2022, we recognized a pre-tax net charge of $2.7 billion to our earnings, comprised of write-offs and impairments of flight equipment, which were partially offset by the derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities (including maintenance rights and lease premium intangible assets, maintenance liabilities, security deposits and other balances) and the collection of letter of credit proceeds. We recognized a total loss write-off with respect to our assets that remain in Russia and Ukraine, and impairment losses with respect to the assets we have recovered from Russian and Ukrainian airlines.
We are pursuing claims in the London Commercial Court with respect to our assets that remain in Russia against the insurers under our contingent and possessed insurance policy (“C&P Policy”) and against the reinsurers under our former Russian lessees’ reinsurance policies. Refer to Note 31—Commitments and Contingencies for further details on these legal proceedings. We are also pursuing claims in the London Commercial Court under the airlines’ insurance and reinsurance policies with respect to two aircraft which were in Ukraine at the beginning of the Ukraine Conflict.
We have also submitted claims to the Russian insurers of our former Russian lessees for our aircraft and engines lost in Russia. During the year ended December 31, 2023 we received cash insurance settlement proceeds of $1.3 billion pursuant to insurance settlements with six Russian airlines and their Russian insurers in respect of 67 aircraft and ten spare engines lost in Russia. We have recognized these insurance proceeds as recoveries related to the Ukraine Conflict for the year ended December 31, 2023. Insurance settlement discussions remain ongoing with respect to our claims under the insurance policies of several other Russian airlines. However, it is uncertain whether any of these discussions will result in any insurance settlement or receipt of insurance settlement proceeds and, if so, in what amount. In particular, it remains uncertain whether the necessary approvals and funding to complete any such further insurance settlements can be obtained.
We intend to continue to vigorously pursue all such insurance claims, however, the collection, timing and amount of any potential recoveries under our C&P Policy and under the respective airlines’ insurance and reinsurance policies are uncertain and we have not recognized any claim receivables as of December 31, 2023.
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended 31 December, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) | |
(Recoveries) write-offs and impairments of flight equipment | $ | (15) | | | $ | 3,160 | | (a) |
Insurance proceeds received | (1,254) | | | — | | |
Derecognition of lease-related assets and liabilities | — | | | (237) | | |
Letters of credit receipts and other collections | (19) | | | (257) | | |
Net (recoveries) charges related to Ukraine Conflict | $ | (1,288) | | | $ | 2,666 | | |
(a) Includes $2.9 billion and $295 million of write-offs and impairments of flight equipment, respectively.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
26. Asset impairment
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized impairment charges of $87 million related to sales transactions, lease amendments or lease terminations which were partially offset by maintenance revenue recognized where we retained maintenance-related balances or received EOL compensation.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized impairment charges of $97 million related to sales transactions, lease amendments where we retained maintenance reserve balances or lease terminations, which were partially offset by maintenance revenue recognized when we retained maintenance-related balances or received EOL compensation. We also recognized write-offs of $2.9 billion and impairments of $295 million of flight equipment related to the Ukraine Conflict. Please refer to Note 25—Net charges related to Ukraine Conflict.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized impairment charges of $128 million related to sales transactions and lease terminations, which were more than offset by maintenance revenue recognized when we retained maintenance-related balances or received EOL compensation.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
27. Allowance for credit losses
Movements in the allowance for credit losses during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| Investment in finance leases | | Notes receivable | | Loans receivable | | Total | | |
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | 23,025 | | | $ | 110,938 | | | $ | 3,898 | | | $ | 137,861 | | | |
Current period (decrease) increase in provision for expected credit losses | (14,101) | | | 21,332 | | | (3,209) | | | 4,022 | | | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | — | | | (107,996) | | | — | | | (107,996) | | | |
Allowance for credit losses at end of period | $ | 8,924 | | | $ | 24,274 | | | $ | 689 | | | $ | 33,887 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 |
| Investment in finance leases | | Notes receivable | | Loans receivable | | Total |
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period | $ | 71,292 | | | $ | 40,964 | | | $ | 5,291 | | | $ | 117,547 | |
Current period (decrease) increase in provision for expected credit losses | (11,483) | | | 122,568 | | | (1,393) | | | 109,692 | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | (36,784) | | | (52,594) | | | — | | | (89,378) | |
Allowance for credit losses at end of period | $ | 23,025 | | | $ | 110,938 | | | $ | 3,898 | | | $ | 137,861 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we increased our credit provision by $4 million and recognized write-offs charged against the allowance of $108 million, with respect to two of our lessees. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized credit provision and write-offs charged against the allowance of $110 million and $89 million respectively, primarily reflecting provisions and write-offs with respect to two of our lessees and losses due to the Ukraine Conflict.
Substantially all our Financing Receivables portfolio is secured lending and we assess the overall quality of the portfolio based on Financing Receivables by airline customer risk rating as defined below. Our internal risk ratings process is an important source of information in determining our allowance for credit losses and represents a comprehensive approach to evaluating risk in our Financing Receivables portfolio. We stratify our Financing Receivables portfolio into three categories: A, B and C. Category A is considered an excellent or high-credit-quality airline customer; Category B is considered a good-credit-quality airline customer; and those airline customers in Category C are considered marginal. An internal risk rating is developed for our airline customers, which is based upon our proprietary model using data derived from the airline customer financial statements and other relevant data points that may impact our airline customer’s ability to honor its financial commitments. The frequency of rating updates is established by our credit risk policy, which requires periodic monitoring and at least an annual review. The latest credit rating review was performed as of December 31, 2023.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
27. Allowance for credit losses (Continued)
The tables below present Financing Receivables carried at amortized cost basis, gross of allowance for credit losses, grouped into the three credit risk categories for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2023 |
| Category A | | Category B | | Category C | | Total |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Investment in finance leases | $ | 357 | | | $ | 213 | | | $ | 693 | | | $ | 1,263 | |
Notes receivable | — | | | 13 | | | 675 | | | 688 | |
Loans receivable | — | | | 44 | | | 612 | | | 656 | |
Total | $ | 357 | | | $ | 270 | | | $ | 1,980 | | | $ | 2,607 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, 2022 |
| Category A | | Category B | | Category C | | Total |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Investment in finance leases | $ | 292 | | | $ | 486 | | | $ | 601 | | | $ | 1,379 | |
Notes receivable | — | | | 18 | | | 579 | | | 597 | |
Loans receivable | 16 | | | 329 | | | 10 | | | 355 | |
Total | $ | 308 | | | $ | 833 | | | $ | 1,190 | | | $ | 2,331 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
28. Earnings per share
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of our ordinary shares outstanding, which excludes 4,561,249, 4,837,602 and 5,822,811 shares of unvested restricted stock as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In general, for the calculation of diluted EPS, the weighted average of our ordinary shares outstanding for basic EPS is adjusted by the effect of dilutive securities provided under our equity compensation plans. The number of shares excluded from diluted shares outstanding was 372,250 for the year ended December 31, 2023, because the effect of including those shares in the calculation would have been anti-dilutive. Due to the reported loss for the year ended December 31, 2022, basic EPS was not adjusted by the effect of dilutive securities. The number of ordinary shares under our equity compensation plans which could dilute EPS in the future was 3,099,221 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The number of shares excluded from diluted shares outstanding was 122,237 for the year ended December 31, 2021 because the effect of including those shares in the calculation would have been anti-dilutive.
The computations of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net income (loss) for the computation of basic EPS | $ | 3,136,091 | | | $ | (726,041) | | | $ | 1,000,507 | |
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding—basic | 224,216,801 | | | 240,486,849 | | | 146,421,188 | |
Basic EPS | $ | 13.99 | | | $ | (3.02) | | | $ | 6.83 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net income (loss) for the computation of diluted EPS | $ | 3,136,091 | | | $ | (726,041) | | | $ | 1,000,507 | |
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding—diluted | 227,656,343 | | | 240,486,849 | | | 149,005,981 | |
Diluted EPS | $ | 13.78 | | | $ | (3.02) | | | $ | 6.71 | |
The computations of ordinary shares outstanding, excluding shares of unvested restricted stock, as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Number of ordinary shares |
Ordinary shares issued | 215,543,739 | | | 250,347,345 | | | 250,347,345 | |
Treasury shares | (13,050,571) | | | (4,416,070) | | | (4,951,897) | |
Ordinary shares outstanding | 202,493,168 | | | 245,931,275 | | | 245,395,448 | |
Shares of unvested restricted stock | (4,561,249) | | | (4,837,602) | | | (5,822,811) | |
Ordinary shares outstanding, excluding shares of unvested restricted stock | 197,931,919 | | | 241,093,673 | | | 239,572,637 | |
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
29. Variable interest entities
We use many forms of entities to achieve our leasing and financing business objectives and we have participated to varying degrees in the design and formation of these entities. Our involvement in VIEs varies and includes being a passive investor in the VIE with involvement from other parties, managing and structuring all of the VIE’s activities, or being the sole shareholder of the VIE.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not provide any financial support to any of our VIEs that we were not contractually obligated to provide.
Consolidated VIEs
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, substantially all assets and liabilities presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were held in consolidated VIEs.
We have determined that we are the PB of these entities because we control and manage all aspects of these entities, including directing the activities that most significantly affect the entities’ economic performance, absorb the majority of the risks and rewards of these entities and guarantee the activities of these entities.
The assets of our consolidated VIEs that can only be used to settle obligations of these entities, and the liabilities of these VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to our general credit, are disclosed in our Consolidated Balance Sheets under Supplemental balance sheet information. Further details of debt held by our consolidated VIEs are disclosed in Note 15—Debt.
Wholly-owned ECA and Ex-Im financing vehicles
We have created certain wholly-owned subsidiaries for the purpose of purchasing flight equipment and obtaining financing secured by such flight equipment. The secured debt is guaranteed by the European ECAs and the Export-Import Bank of the United States. These entities meet the definition of a VIE because they do not have sufficient equity to operate without subordinated financial support from us in the form of intercompany notes.
Other secured financings
We have created a number of wholly-owned subsidiaries for the purpose of obtaining secured financings. These entities meet the definition of a VIE because they do not have sufficient equity to operate without subordinated financial support from us in the form of intercompany notes.
Wholly-owned leasing entities
We have created wholly-owned subsidiaries for the purpose of facilitating aircraft leases with airlines. These entities meet the definition of a VIE because they do not have sufficient equity to operate without subordinated financial support from us in the form of intercompany notes, which serve as equity.
Limited recourse financing structures
We have established entities to obtain secured financings for the purchase of aircraft in which we have variable interests. These entities meet the definition of a VIE because they do not have sufficient equity to operate without subordinated financial support from us in the form of intercompany notes. The loans of these entities are non-recourse to us except under limited circumstances. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the sale of our variable interests in certain entities to our joint venture partner. As of December 31, 2023, we had no remaining subordinated debt issued by VIEs.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
29. Variable interest entities (Continued)
AerFunding
We hold a 5% equity investment and 100% of the subordinated notes (“AerFunding Class E-1 Notes”) in AerFunding.
As of December 31, 2023, AerFunding had $1.0 billion outstanding under a secured revolving credit facility and $2.0 billion of AerFunding Class E-1 Notes outstanding due to us.
Non-consolidated VIEs
Non-consolidated VIEs are investments in which we have determined that we do not have control and are not the PB. We do have significant influence and, accordingly, we account for our investments in non-consolidated VIEs under the equity method of accounting.
The following table presents our maximum exposure to loss in non-consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Carrying value of debt and equity investments | $ | 120,677 | | | $ | 118,403 | |
| | | |
| | | |
The maximum exposure to loss represents the amount that would be absorbed by us in the event that all of our assets held in the VIEs, for which we are not the PB, had no value.
AerDragon and AerLift Leasing Limited and Subsidiaries (“AerLift”) are investments that are VIEs in which we have determined that we do not have control and are not the PB. We do have significant influence and, accordingly, we account for our investments in AerDragon and AerLift under the equity method of accounting.
Other variable interest entities
We have variable interests in other entities in which we have determined we are not the PB because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the entities’ economic performance.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
30. Related party transactions
GE
AerCap completed the acquisition of GECAS from GE on November 1, 2021. Immediately following the completion of the GECAS Transaction, GE held approximately 46% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Consequently, GE became a related party upon the Closing Date of the GECAS Transaction. We may purchase, sell or lease flight equipment from/to GE.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased an aggregate of 36.4 million of our ordinary shares from GE at an average price of $58.86 per ordinary share. Please refer to Note 18—Equity.
Upon completion of the November Secondary Offering and the concurrent share repurchase on November 16, 2023, GE no longer beneficially owned any of our outstanding ordinary shares and is no longer a related party.
The following table presents amounts recognized in respect of our purchases, sales and leasing of flight equipment from/to GE, while GE was a related party, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Purchases and provision of services from GE | $ | 212 | | | $ | 150 | | | $ | 1 | |
Sales to GE | 29 | | | 27 | | | — | |
Rental income from engines on lease to GE | 140 | | | 143 | | | 22 | |
As of December 31, 2022, AerCap had an outstanding payable balance of $9 million with GE.
Equity Method Investments
SES
SES is a 50% joint venture between AerCap and Safran Aircraft Engines. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized lease rental income from SES of $124 million and $74 million, respectively.
Other related parties
Other related parties include our associated companies as detailed in Note 10—Associated companies. The following table presents amounts received from other related parties for management fees, transaction-related fees and dividends for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Management fees and other | | $ | 11,074 | | | $ | 14,418 | | | $ | 6,748 | |
Dividends | | 10,933 | | | 34,245 | | | 5,262 | |
| | $ | 22,007 | | | $ | 48,663 | | | $ | 12,010 | |
Gilead Aviation Leasing
During the year ended December 31, 2023, AerCap completed the sale of three Airbus A220 Family aircraft to Gilead Aviation Leasing.
Purchase of shares
During the year ended December 31, 2023, an Officer sold 12,913 ordinary shares to the Company at fair value on the date of the sale for an aggregate sale price of $0.7 million. The proceeds were used to pay taxes in 2023 in connection with the Officer’s share awards.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
31. Commitments and contingencies
Flight equipment on order
As of December 31, 2023, we had commitments to purchase 338 new aircraft for delivery through 2029. These commitments are primarily based upon purchase agreements with Boeing, Airbus and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”). These agreements establish the pricing formulas (including adjustments for certain contractual escalation provisions) and various other terms with respect to the purchase of aircraft. Under certain circumstances, we have the right to alter the mix of aircraft types ultimately acquired. As of December 31, 2023, we also had commitments to purchase 37 new engines for delivery through 2026 and eight new helicopters for delivery through 2025. As of December 31, 2023, we had made non-refundable deposits on these purchase commitments (exclusive of capitalized interest and fair value adjustments) of approximately $3.3 billion.
A portion of the aggregate purchase price for the acquisition of flight equipment will be funded by incurring additional debt. The amount of the indebtedness to be incurred will depend on the final purchase price of the asset, which can vary due to a number of factors, including inflation.
Prepayments on flight equipment include prepayments of our forward order flight equipment and other balances held by the flight equipment manufacturers. Movements in prepayments on flight equipment during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Prepayments on flight equipment at beginning of period | $ | 3,806,602 | | | $ | 4,586,848 | |
Prepayments and additions during the period, net | 1,463,929 | | | 244,937 | |
Interest paid and capitalized during the period, net | 125,944 | | | 104,191 | |
Prepayments and capitalized interest applied to the purchase of flight equipment | (1,820,288) | | | (1,129,374) | |
Prepayments on flight equipment at end of period | $ | 3,576,187 | | | $ | 3,806,602 | |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred $130 million of interest expense which was fully capitalized.
The following table presents our contractual commitments for the purchase of flight equipment as of December 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | | 2028 | | Thereafter | | Total |
| (U.S. Dollars in millions) |
Purchase obligations (a) | $ | 7,220.9 | | | $ | 5,817.1 | | | $ | 2,859.9 | | | $ | 1,551.0 | | | $ | 254.7 | | | $ | 162.1 | | | $ | 17,865.7 | |
(a)As of December 31, 2023, we had commitments to purchase 338 aircraft (including ten purchase and leaseback transactions), 37 engines and eight helicopters through 2029. The timing of our purchase obligations is based on current estimates and incorporates expected delivery delays into the table above. In addition, we have the right to reschedule the delivery dates of certain of our aircraft to future dates.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
31. Commitments and contingencies (Continued)
Legal proceedings
General
In the ordinary course of our business, we are a party to various legal actions, which we believe are incidental to the operations of our business. The Company regularly reviews the possible outcome of such legal actions, and accrues for such legal actions at the time a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be estimated. In addition, the Company also reviews indemnities and insurance coverage, where applicable. Based on information currently available, we believe the potential outcome of those cases where we are able to estimate reasonably possible losses, and our estimate of the reasonably possible losses exceeding amounts already recognized, on an aggregated basis, is immaterial to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contingent and Possessed Insurance Policy Litigation and Operator Reinsurance Policies Litigation
On June 9, 2022, AerCap Ireland (as representative claimant on its own behalf and on behalf of all other insureds under its contingent and possessed insurance policy (the “C&P Policy”)) commenced a claim in the Commercial Court in London, England against the insurers under its C&P Policy. The trial is scheduled to commence in October 2024. As of January 31, 2024, this claim covered 113 aircraft and 23 spare engines owned by AerCap Ireland and its affiliates (including spare engines owned and managed by a related party) and three managed aircraft, all lost in Russia. During the year ended December 31, 2023, AerCap Ireland and other insureds under the C&P Policy received approximately $1.3 billion in respect of certain aircraft and spare engines lost in Russia (including certain managed aircraft and certain spare engines owned and managed by a related party) pursuant to insurance settlements under certain other insurance policies. As a result, AerCap Ireland’s claim (as representative claimant on its own behalf and on behalf of all other insureds under the C&P Policy) under the Aircraft Hull and Spares and Equipment Coverage section of the C&P Policy is now approximately in the amount of $2.2 billion. AerCap Ireland’s alternative claim (as representative claimant on its own behalf and on behalf of all other insureds under the C&P Policy) under the Aviation “War and Allied Perils” Coverage section of its C&P Policy remains in the amount of $1.2 billion.
In parallel with the C&P Policy claim, during the quarter ended June 30, 2023, AerCap Ireland and certain affiliates of AerCap Ireland commenced claims in the Commercial Court in London, England against various reinsurers under reinsurance policies of the Russian airlines’ insurance policies (the “Operator Reinsurance Policies”) in respect of the aircraft and engines which remain in Russia. During the year ended December 31, 2023, several of those claims were discontinued, and several others were amended to discontinue claims in respect of certain aircraft and engines, following completion of insurance settlements with several Russian airlines and their Russian insurers. As of January 31, 2024, the remaining claims under the Operator Reinsurance Policies covered 46 aircraft and six spare engines owned by AerCap Ireland and its affiliates for an aggregate amount of approximately $1.8 billion. As of January 31, 2024, several defendants to these remaining Operator Reinsurance Policies claims have challenged the jurisdiction of the English courts and the jurisdictional hearing is currently scheduled to take place in February 2024.
We intend to continue to vigorously pursue our claims under the C&P Policy and the Operator Reinsurance Policies. However, the collection, timing and amount of any potential recoveries are uncertain and we have not recognized any claim receivables as of December 31, 2023.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
31. Commitments and contingencies (Continued)
VASP Litigation
We are party to a group of related cases arising from the leasing of 13 aircraft and three spare engines to Viação Aerea de São Paulo (“VASP”), a Brazilian airline. In 1992, VASP defaulted on its lease obligations and we commenced litigation against VASP to repossess our equipment and obtained a preliminary injunction for the repossession and export of 13 aircraft and three spare engines from VASP. We repossessed and exported the aircraft and engines. VASP appealed and, in 1996, the Appellate Court of the State of São Paulo (“TJSP”) ruled that the aircraft and engines should be returned or that VASP could recover proven damages arising from the repossession.
We have defended this case in the Brazilian courts through various motions and appeals. VASP’s final appeal was denied in November 2022 and the case has been returned to the Superior Court of Justice (“STJ”) for a ruling on the merits of our original appeal of the 1996 TJSP decision.
In 2006, VASP commenced a related proceeding to calculate the amount of alleged damages owed under the TJSP’s 1996 judgment. In 2017, the court decided that VASP had suffered no damages even if the TJSP’s 1996 judgment regarding liability were affirmed. On April 20, 2018, VASP appealed this decision. We believe, however, and we have been advised, that it is not probable that VASP will ultimately be able to recover damages from us even if VASP prevails on the issue of liability. The outcome of the legal process is, however, uncertain. The ultimate amount of damages, if any, payable to VASP cannot reasonably be estimated at this time. We continue to actively pursue all courses of action that may reasonably be available to us and intend to defend our position vigorously.
Meanwhile, in 2008, VASP was adjudicated insolvent by a Brazilian bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy court has since allowed claims in favor of the Company in the aggregate amount of $66 million. We have been advised that it is not probable that VASP’s bankruptcy estate will have funds to pay its creditors but our court-approved claims may be used to offset any damages that VASP might be awarded in the Brazilian courts if for any reason we are not successful in defending ourselves against VASP’s claim for damages.
Transbrasil Litigation
We are party to a group of related actions arising from the leasing of various aircraft and engines to Transbrasil S/A Linhas Areas (“Transbrasil”), a now-defunct Brazilian airline. By 1998, Transbrasil had defaulted on various obligations under its leases with AerCap-related companies, along with other leases it had entered into with General Electric Capital Corporation and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Lessors”). Subsequently, Transbrasil issued promissory notes (the “Notes”) to the Lessors in connection with restructurings of the leases. Transbrasil defaulted on the Notes and the Lessors individually brought enforcement actions against Transbrasil in 2001.
Transbrasil brought a lawsuit against the Lessors in February 2001 (the “Transbrasil Lawsuit”), claiming that the Notes had in fact been paid at the time the Lessors brought the enforcement actions. In 2010, an appellate court published a judgment (the “2010 Judgment”) ordering the Lessors to pay Transbrasil statutory penalties equal to double the face amount of the Notes (plus interest and monetary adjustments) as well as damages for any losses incurred as a result of the attempts to collect on the Notes (the “Indemnity Claim”). In 2013, the STJ reversed the 2010 Judgment in most respects as to all of the Lessors. All appeals in respect of the Transbrasil Lawsuit based on the merits of the dispute have now concluded.
However, in July 2011, while the various appeals of the 2010 Judgment were pending, Transbrasil brought, amongst other actions now concluded, an action for provisional enforcement of the Indemnity Claim arising out of the 2010 Judgment. In light of the STJ’s 2013 ruling, (which reversed the 2010 Judgment), the trial court ordered the dismissal of a significant part of the Indemnity Claim. Our appeal regarding the remaining part of the Indemnity Claim remains pending with the TJSP. We believe we have strong arguments to convince the court that Transbrasil is not entitled to any claim under the portion of the Indemnity Claim that remains pending.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
32. Fair value measurements
The Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as described below. Where limited or no observable market data exists, fair value measurements for assets and liabilities are primarily based on management’s own estimates and are calculated based upon the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other such factors. Therefore, the results may not be realized in actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.
The degree of judgment used in measuring the fair value of a financial and non-financial asset or liability generally correlates with the level of pricing observability. We classify our fair value measurements based on the observability and significance of the inputs used in making the measurement, as provided below:
Level 1—Quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
Level 2—Observable market data. Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (risk adjusted) and market-corroborated inputs, such as market comparables, interest rates, yield curves and other items that allow value to be determined.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs from our own assumptions about market risk developed based on the best information available, subject to cost benefit analysis. Inputs may include our own data.
Fair value measurements are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our derivative portfolio consisted of interest rate contracts. The fair value of derivatives is based on dealer quotes for identical instruments. We have also considered the credit rating and risk of the counterparty of the derivative contract based on quantitative and qualitative factors. As such, the valuation of these instruments was classified as Level 2. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we held investments at fair value of $84 million and $59 million, respectively. The valuation of these investments were primarily classified as Level 1, based on quoted market price. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized gains on investments at fair value of $2 million. During the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 we recognized losses on investments at fair value of $18 million and a gain on investment at fair value of $2 million, respectively.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
32. Fair value measurements (Continued)
The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 |
| Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Derivative assets | $ | 130,614 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 130,614 | | | $ | — | |
Investments, at fair value | 84,130 | | | 72,540 | | | — | | | 11,590 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Derivative liabilities | $ | 80,840 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 80,840 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 |
| Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Derivative assets | $ | 211,993 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 211,993 | | | $ | — | |
Investments, at fair value | 59,081 | | | 39,081 | | | — | | | 20,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis
We measure the fair value of certain definite-lived intangible assets and our flight equipment on a non-recurring basis, when U.S. GAAP requires the application of fair value, including when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable.
Management develops the assumptions used in the fair value measurements. Therefore, the fair value measurements of definite-lived intangible assets and flight equipment are classified as Level 3 valuations.
Flight equipment
Inputs to non-recurring fair value measurements categorized as Level 3
We use the income approach to measure the fair value of flight equipment, which is based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Key inputs to the income statement approach include the discount rate, current contractual lease cash flows, projected future non-contractual lease or sale cash flows, extended to the end of the aircraft’s estimated holding period in its highest and best use, and a contractual or estimated disposition value.
The current contractual lease cash flows are based on the in-force lease rates. The projected future non-contractual lease cash flows are estimated based on the aircraft type, age, and the airframe and engine configuration of the aircraft. The projected non-contractual lease cash flows are applied to follow-on lease terms, which are estimated based on the age of the aircraft at the time of re-lease and are assumed through the estimated holding period of the aircraft. The estimated holding period is the period over which future cash flows are assumed to be generated. Shorter holding periods can result when a potential sale or future disassembly of an aircraft for the sale of its parts (“part-out”) of an individual aircraft has been contracted for, or is likely. In instances of a potential sale or part-out, the holding period is based on the estimated sale or part-out date. The disposition value is generally estimated based on aircraft type. In situations where the aircraft will be disposed of, the disposition value assumed is based on an estimated part-out value or the contracted sale price.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
32. Fair value measurements (Continued)
The estimated future cash flows, as described above, are then discounted to present value. The discount rate used is based on the aircraft type and incorporates assumptions market participants would use regarding the likely debt and equity financing components, and the required returns of those financing components.
For flight equipment that we measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as a result of aircraft that were impaired, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the following table presents the fair value of such flight equipment that were impaired as of the measurement date, the valuation technique and the related unobservable inputs:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair value | | Valuation technique | | Unobservable input | | Weighted average |
Flight equipment | $ | 358,462,405 | | | Income approach | | Discount rate | | 8 | % |
| | | | | Non-contractual cash flows as a % of total cash flows | | 95 | % |
The significant unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurement of flight equipment are the discount rate and the non-contractual cash flows. The discount rate is affected by movements in the aircraft funding markets, including fluctuations in required rates of return in debt and equity, and loan to value ratios. The non-contractual cash flows represent management’s estimate of the non-contractual cash flows over the remaining life of the aircraft. An increase in the discount rate would decrease the fair value measurement of the aircraft, while an increase in the estimated non-contractual cash flows would increase the fair value measurement of the aircraft.
Fair value disclosures of financial instruments
The fair value of restricted cash and cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value because of their short-term nature (Level 1). The fair value of our long-term unsecured debt is estimated using quoted market prices for similar or identical instruments, depending on the frequency and volume of activity in the market. The fair value of our long-term secured debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates and spreads for debt with similar characteristics (Level 2). Derivatives are recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. The fair value of derivatives is based on dealer quotes for identical instruments. We have also considered the credit rating and risk of the counterparties of the derivative contracts based on quantitative and qualitative factors (Level 2).
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we held investments at fair value of $84 million and $59 million, respectively. The valuation of these investments were primarily classified as Level 1, based on quoted market price.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 loans receivable carried at amortized cost had estimated fair values of $650 million and $330 million, respectively, and were classified as Level 3.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022 notes receivable carried at amortized cost had estimated fair values of $664 million, and $486 million respectively, and were classified as Level 3.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
32. Fair value measurements (Continued)
All of our financial instruments are carried at amortized cost, other than our derivatives and investments which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The carrying amounts and fair values of our most significant financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2023 | |
| Carrying value | | Fair value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,627,181 | | | $ | 1,627,181 | | | $ | 1,627,181 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Restricted cash | 198,285 | | | 198,285 | | | 198,285 | | | — | | | — | | |
Loans receivable | 654,925 | | | 650,398 | | | — | | | — | | | 650,398 | | |
Notes receivable | 663,644 | | | 663,644 | | | — | | | — | | | 663,644 | | |
Derivative assets | 130,614 | | | 130,614 | | | — | | | 130,614 | | | — | | |
Investments, at fair value | 84,130 | | | 84,130 | | | 72,540 | | | — | | | 11,590 | | |
| $ | 3,358,779 | | | $ | 3,354,252 | | | $ | 1,898,006 | | | $ | 130,614 | | | $ | 1,325,632 | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | |
Debt | $ | 46,696,525 | | (a) | $ | 44,377,940 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 44,377,940 | | | $ | — | | |
Derivative liabilities | 80,840 | | | 80,840 | | | — | | | 80,840 | | | — | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 46,777,365 | | | $ | 44,458,780 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 44,458,780 | | | $ | — | | |
(a)Excludes debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 |
| Carrying value | | Fair value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,597,147 | | | $ | 1,597,147 | | | $ | 1,597,147 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Restricted cash | 159,623 | | | 159,623 | | | 159,623 | | | — | | | — | |
Loans receivable | 351,357 | | | 329,650 | | | — | | | — | | | 329,650 | |
Notes receivable | 486,223 | | | 486,223 | | | — | | | — | | | 486,223 | |
Investments, at fair value | 59,081 | | | 59,081 | | | 39,081 | | | — | | | 20,000 | |
Derivative assets | 211,993 | | | 211,993 | | | — | | | 211,993 | | | — | |
| $ | 2,865,424 | | | $ | 2,843,717 | | | $ | 1,795,851 | | | $ | 211,993 | | | $ | 835,873 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | |
Debt | $ | 46,801,683 | | (a) | $ | 42,525,932 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 42,525,932 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 46,801,683 | | | $ | 42,525,932 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 42,525,932 | | | $ | — | |
(a)Excludes debt issuance costs, debt discounts and debt premium.
AerCap Holdings N.V. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(U.S. Dollars in thousands or as otherwise stated, except share and per share data)
33. Subsequent events
AerCap Trust & AICDC Notes
In January 2024, AerCap Trust and AICDC co-issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.1% Senior Notes due 2029 and $700 million aggregate principal amount 5.3% Senior Notes due 2034.
Share repurchase program
In February 2024, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing total repurchases of up to $500 million of AerCap ordinary shares through September 30, 2024. Repurchases under the program may be made through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws. The timing of repurchases and the exact number of ordinary shares to be purchased will be determined by the Company's management, in its discretion, and will depend upon market conditions and other factors. The program will be funded using the Company's cash on hand and cash generated from operations. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.