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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Report

23 Aug 2017 08:56

RNS Number : 7575O
DP Aircraft I Limited
23 August 2017
 

 

DP AIRCRAFT I LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM REPORT

FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2017

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW

DP Aircraft I Limited (the 'Company') was incorporated with limited liability in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 on 5 July 2013 with registered number 56941.

The Company was established to invest in aircraft. The Company is a holding company, and makes its investment in aircraft through four wholly owned subsidiary entities, DP Aircraft Guernsey I Limited, DP Aircraft Guernsey II Limited, DP Aircraft Guernsey III Limited and DP Aircraft Guernsey IV Limited (collectively and hereinafter, the 'Borrowers'), each being a Guernsey incorporated company limited by shares and two intermediate lessor companies, DP Aircraft Ireland Limited and DP Aircraft UK Limited (the 'Lessors'), an Irish incorporated private limited company and a UK incorporated private limited company respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries (the Borrowers and the Lessors) comprise the Group (the 'Group').

Pursuant to the Company's Prospectus dated 27 September 2013, the Company offered 113,000,000 Ordinary Shares of no par value in the capital of the Company at an issue price of US$ 1.00 per Share by means of a Placing. The Company's Shares were admitted to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange on 4 October 2013.

On 5 June 2015, the Company offered 96,333,333 Ordinary Shares of no par value in the capital of the Company at an issue price of US$ 1.0589 per Share by means of a Placing. These Shares were admitted to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange on 12 June 2015.

In total there are 209,333,333 Ordinary Shares in issue with voting rights.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Company's investment objective is to obtain income and capital returns for its Shareholders by acquiring, leasing and then, when the Board considers it appropriate, selling aircraft (the 'Asset' or 'Assets').

THE BOARD

The Board comprises independent non-executive directors. The directors of the Board are responsible for managing the business affairs of the Company in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and have overall responsibility for the Company's activities, including portfolio and risk management while the asset management of the Group is undertaken by DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG (the 'Asset Manager').

THE ASSET MANAGER

The Asset Manager has undertaken to provide the asset management services to the Company under the terms of an asset management agreement but does not undertake any regulated activities for the purpose of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

BREXIT

The decision of the UK to withdraw from the EU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company given the nature of its operations. However, monitoring of the airline industry and any impact on the Company as the process for leaving the EU progresses will be carried out on an ongoing basis.

 

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

The Company aims to provide Shareholders with an attractive total return comprising income, from distributions through the period of the Company's ownership of the Assets, and capital, upon any sale of the Assets. The Company targets a quarterly distribution in February, May, August and November of each year. The target distribution is US$ 0.0225 per share per quarter. Two quarterly dividends have been paid during the period ended 30 June 2017 and one has been paid subsequent to the period end, each meeting the US$ 0.0225 per share target. The target dividends are targets only and should not be treated as an assurance or guarantee of performance or a profit forecast. Investors should not place any reliance on such target dividends or assume that the Company will make any distributions at all.

FACT SHEET

Ticker DPA

Company Number 56941

ISIN Number GG00BBP6HP33

SEDOL Number BBP6HP3

Traded Specialist Fund Segment ('SFS') of the London Stock Exchange

SFS Admission Date 4-Oct-13

Share Price US$ 1.10 at 30 June 2017

Earnings per share US$ 0.0461 for the period ended 30 June 2017

Country of Incorporation Guernsey

Current Shares in Issue 209,333,333

Administrator and Company Secretary Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey) Limited

Asset Manager DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG

Auditor and Reporting Accountant KPMG, Chartered Accountants

Corporate Broker Canaccord Genuity Limited

Aircraft Registrations LN-LNA

LN-LNB

HS-TQD

HS-TQC

Aircraft Serial Numbers 35304

35305

35320

36110

Aircraft Type and Model Boeing 787-8

Lessees Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA ('Norwegian' or 'NAS')

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited ('Thai Airways')

Website www.dpaircraft.com

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

Profit for the period ended 30 June 2017 is US$ 9,648,349 and Earnings per Share is US$ 0.0461 per Share. The profit for the period ended 30 June 2016 was US$ 10,185,921 and Earnings per Share was US$ 0.0487.

NET ASSET VALUE ('NAV')

The NAV excluding swap liabilities was US$ 1.01019 per Share at 30 June 2017 (31 December 2016: US$ 1.00927).

 

Although the fair values of the derivatives will move over their terms, at maturity the derivatives fair values will reduce to nil. The NAV excluding swap liabilities is therefore presented to provide what the Directors consider to be a more relevant assessment of the Group's net asset position.

 

 

As at 30 June 2017

As at 31 December 2016

 

US$

US$ per share

US$

US$ per share

NAV per the financial statements

208,226,712

0.99471

207,778,853

0.99257

Add back:

Derivative instrument liabilities and swap interest payable

 

 

3,239,675

 

 

0.01548

 

 

3,496,199

 

 

0.01670

NAV excluding swap liabilities

211,466,387

1.01019

211,275,052

1.00927

INTERIM DIVIDENDS

Dividends were declared on:

 

Date

Dividend reference period

Dividend per Share

Payment date

26 January 2017

Quarter ended 31 December 2016

US$ 0.0225 per Share

13 February 2017

27 April 2017

Quarter ended 31 March 2017

US$ 0.0225 per Share

19 May 2017

17 July 2017

Quarter ended 30 June 2017

US$ 0.0225 per Share

18 August 2017

OFFICIAL LISTING

The Company's Shares were first admitted to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange on 4 October 2013. 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

I am pleased to present Shareholders with the Interim Report of the Company for the six month period to 30 June 2017. 

 

The Earnings per Share for the period was US$ 0.0461 compared to US$ 0.0487 for the same period last year.

 

The first interim dividend for 2017 was paid on 19 May 2017, with the second interim dividend being declared on 17 July 2017, with a payment date of 18 August 2017. The Lessees are continuing to perform as expected.

 

2016 saw a significant rise in business and consumer confidence. The International Air Transport Association (the 'IATA') expects 2017 global airline profits to be US$ 31.4 billion and global airline traffic to grow by 7.4 per cent.

 

The total size of Norwegian's fleet at 30 June 2017 was 133 passenger aircraft including 14 Boeing 787s. They intend to expand their fleet to 21 Boeing 787s by the end of 2017 and 32 by the end of 2018. Over the coming year Norwegian anticipate a negative impact from passenger tax in Norway, and a weaker demand for travel in the UK. Performance for 2017 may be negatively influenced by currency movements and increasing unit costs due to fuel price movements.

 

Thai's restructuring plan is entering its third and final stage. Thai returned to profitability at the end of 2016 and the restructuring is proving effective with a positive effect on financial results and customer satisfaction. Thai airways also intends to expand into new markets and we understand will be focusing on new routes to complement their network. In addition, Thai are in the process of seeking government approval to purchase 28 new aircraft. They intend to maintain a fleet of around 100 aircraft.

 

I would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support in the Company and I and my fellow Directors are available via our Company Secretary, whose details can be found at the end of this report.

Jon Bridel

Chairman

 

ASSET MANAGER'S REPORT

 

The Aviation Market - Overview and Development

Since the last published industry outlook by the IATA in December 2016, business and consumer confidence has risen significantly. According to the latest IATA Airline Business Confidence Index, 76 per cent of airline CFOs and heads of cargo expect travel volumes to increase in the next 12 months. It is expected that due to stronger economic growth in 2017, traffic will grow by 7.4 per cent, slightly faster than capacity with an anticipated growth of 7.0 per cent. As a result, load factors are expected to increase slightly to 80.6 per cent. However, break-even load factors are assumed to increase due to rising unit costs, mainly because of increasing fuel prices, maintenance, infrastructure and labour costs. Delays caused by inefficient European airspace management are anticipated to generate costs of EUR 2.8 billion in 2017. Moreover, it is assumed that this year, fuel costs will account for 18.8 per cent of average operating costs. IATA increased its forecast of global net profit in 2017 from US$ 29.8 billion to US$ 31.4 billion. Although this is still a decline compared to a net profit of US$ 34.8 billion in 2016, the level of profitability would be the third highest on record.

For the year 2017, IATA expects that more than 4 billion passengers will travel by air with new destinations and frequencies rising by 4 per cent. While tourists travelling by air are expected to spend US$ 685 billion, the value of trade transported by air is anticipated to amount to US$ 5.9 trillion. Tax revenues are forecasted to increase by 6.6 per cent, amounting to US$ 124 billion. It is also expected that employment by airlines will increase by 4.8 per cent compared to 2016.

The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to have the highest growth rates of traffic whereas European carriers currently experience the highest break-even load factors, as yields are low due to a strongly competitive environment. However, global first quarter traffic results in 2017 were strong, according to IATA. In March, European carriers reported an increase of 6.0 per cent in passenger demand while Asian Pacific carriers reported an increase of 10.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2016. In both regions the increase in demand outperformed the growth in capacity and improved load factors. While European carriers have benefitted from the momentum of the region´s economy, routes between Asia and Europe continue to recover from terrorism-related disruptions in early 2016. In March 2017, global air traffic increased by 6.8 per cent while capacity grew by 6.1 per cent compared to the same month in 2016.

The latest Boeing Outlook (Current Market Outlook 2017-2036) expects deliveries of 41,030 aircraft with a total market value of US$ 6.1 trillion within the next 20 years. Both Boeing and Airbus (Global Market Forecast 2017-2036) continue to forecast that the global passenger and freighter fleet will at least double by 2036. According to Boeing and Airbus, 57 per cent and 60 per cent respectively of new deliveries are anticipated to be used for fleet growth. There are many different considerations and market forecast drivers which influence the manufacturer's forecasts. They include, for example, economic growth and fuel price expectations, the competitive landscape, environmental regulations, market liberalisation and airline strategies. According to Boeing, air traffic will grow on average by 4.7 per cent annually and the airlines' fleets by 3.5 per cent per annum, within the next 20 years. Boeing forecasts that the current share of the global airlines´ fleet from the Asia-Pacific region will increase from 29 per cent to 37 per cent and that 16,050 new aircraft will be delivered to that region by 2036. European airline fleet growth is anticipated to be lower than the global average, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7 per cent. However, Boeing forecasts that 7,530 aircraft with a value of US$ 1,110 billion will be delivered to European airlines within the next 20 years. For 2017, IATA anticipates that around 1,850 new aircraft will be delivered worldwide and that half of these deliveries will be for fleet growth.

 

The Assets - Four Dreamliner Boeing 787-8s

As at 30 June 2017, Boeing has delivered 565 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, of which 340 aircraft are Boeing 787-8s and 225 aircraft are Boeing 787-9s. The total order for this aircraft family amounts to 1,275 aircraft by 66 customers. In the first half of 2017, 75 net orders for the Dreamliner family had been placed by airlines and lessors. Aircraft from the Boeing 787 family are operated on all continents. Today, more than 130 new non-stop routes operated by Boeing 787 aircraft are in service or have been announced and 560 routes are uniquely operated by Boeing 787s.

 

Norwegian has equipped its Boeing 787 fleet with a total of 291 seats, of which 32 are premium economy and 259 economy class seats. This type of aircraft is used to fly from Europe to destinations in Asia, America and the Caribbean including, amongst others, New York, Fort Lauderdale, Oakland and Bangkok. During the summer peak season, the airline deploys Boeing 787s on some of its Oslo-Nice flights as well. Since the acquisition by DP Aircraft I Limited of the two aircraft LNA and LNB in 2013, Norwegian has met all of its lease obligations in full. In December 2016, aircraft LNA was inspected by DS Skytech Limited at the Boeing maintenance facilities at Copenhagen International Airport. Aircraft LNB was inspected on 6 April 2017 at the British Airways Maintenance facilities in Cardiff as part of its base maintenance (which takes place every 6,000 flight hours). Both aircraft and their technical records were found to be in good condition with no significant defects or airworthiness related issues.

 

Thai Airways´ Boeing 787 fleet offers a total of 264 seats, of which 24 are business and 240 economy class seats. The carrier operates this aircraft type to destinations within the Asia-Pacific region such as Singapore, Delhi, Hanoi, Perth and Brisbane. Since DP Aircraft I Limited acquired the two aircraft TQC and TQD in 2015, Thai Airways has met all of its lease obligations in full. In July 2016, both aircraft, TQC and TQD, were inspected by DS Skytech Limited at Bangkok International Airport. The inspection found the aircraft and their technical records to be in good condition with no significant defects or airworthiness related issues. The next inspection is scheduled to take place during the 3-year check in due course.

 

Aircraft TQD is currently not in operation due to a shortage of spare parts and spare engines provided by Rolls-Royce. It is not an uncommon occurrence that new engine types need to be upgraded and this is generally a smooth process. The Trent 1000 engines will be upgraded to the latest modification standards and in the case of Thai, this includes the IPT (Intermediate Pressure Turbine) blades. The priority of this upgrade depends on the airlines´ operational environment (flight cycles, air pollution, temperature, etc.). The upgrade campaign is ongoing and the engine manufacturer is making every effort to restore full flight operations. Lease payments continue to be paid by Thai Airways in accordance with the lease agreement.

 

The charts below give ae short overview of the utilisation of airframe and engines of each of the four aircraft.

 

AIRFRAME STATUS

(30th June 2017)

 Norwegian Air Shuttle

LN-LNA

LN-LNB

 

TOTAL

1 - 30 June 2017

TOTAL

1 - 30

June 2017

Flight Hours

18,927

449

20,121

405

Flight Cycles

2,264

54

2,443

46

Average Monthly Utilisation

394 hours

47 cycles

---

435 hours

53 cycles

---

Flight Hours/Flight Cycles Ratio

8.36 : 1

8.31 : 1

8.24 : 1

8.80 : 1

 

 

 

ENGINE DATA

(30th June 2017)

Norwegian Air Shuttle

LN-LNA

LN-LNB

Engine Serial Number

10118

10119

10130

10135

Engine Manufacturer

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Engine Type and Model

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Total Time [Flight Hours]

15,936

14,741

10,177

14,659

Total Flight Cycles

1,941

1,816

1,128

1,753

Location

In shop

LN-LNF

LN-LNB

In shop

 

 

 

AIRFRAME STATUS

(30th June 2017)

Thai Airways International

HS-TQC

HS-TQD

 

TOTAL

1 - 30

June 2017

TOTAL

1 - 30

June 2017

Flight Hours

11,187

395

10,256

274

Flight Cycles

2,725

87

2,542

75

Average Monthly Utilisation

349 hours

85 cycles

---

338 hours

84 cycles

---

Flight Hours/Flight Cycles Ratio

4.11 : 1

4.54 : 1

4.03 : 1

3.65 : 1

 

 

 

ENGINE DATA

(30th June 2017)

Thai Airways International

HS-TQC

HS-TQD

Engine Serial Number

10239

10240

10244

10248

Engine Manufacturer

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Engine Type and Model

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Trent 1000

Total Time [Flight Hours]

9,933

10,518

8,819

9,931

Total Flight Cycles

2,387

2,583

2,211

2,451

Location

In shop

HS-TQD

HS-TQB

HS-TQA

 

 

 

The Lessees

 

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

Norwegian Air Shuttle, offering commercial air services since 1993, is the third largest low cost carrier in Europe and the sixth largest in the world. In 2013, Norwegian launched long-haul services and, as at 30 June 2017, had a fleet of 133 passenger aircraft, including a fleet of 14 Boeing 787s. The airline received one Boeing 787-9 in the first quarter of 2017 and another one in the second quarter. The airline is aiming to have a fleet of 21 Boeing 787s by the end of 2017 and a fleet of 32 Boeing 787 aircraft by the end of the following year. As at 30 June 2017, Norwegian Air Shuttle has 23 operational bases globally and operates a total of 500 routes to 150 destinations on four continents. In 2016, the airline transported nearly 30 million passengers, with 30 per cent of intercontinental passengers transferred to intra-European flights. Norwegian was awarded "World's Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline" and "Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe" by the Skytrax Awards this June.

 

In the second quarter of 2017, operating revenues increased by 17 per cent to NOK 7,775 million (US$ 928 million) while ancillary revenues per passenger grew by 4 per cent, compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The operating loss was NOK 863 million (US$ 103 million) compared to an operating profit of NOK 1,006 million (US$ 120 million). Net profit increased by 45 per cent to NOK 1,080 million (US$ 129 million). Results were significantly influenced by jet fuel prices, which increased by 16 per cent per ASK and by strong production growth, resulting in less productivity of people as well as by the introduction of new markets. The net result benefited from the sale of a 2.5 per cent Bank Norwegian shareholding. Both ASKs and RPKs increased by 19 per cent and the load factor remained stable at 87.7 per cent.

 

During the first half of 2017 passenger numbers increased by 13 per cent compared to the same period the previous year while operating revenues increased by 12 per cent to NOK 13,030 (US$ 1,362 million). Ancillary revenues per passenger increased by 2 per cent. The operating loss increased to NOK 2,565 million (US$ 306 million) compared to an operating profit of NOK 111 million (US$ 13 million). Net loss increased from NOK 55 million (US$ 7 million) to NOK 412 million (US$ 49 million). Cash and cash equivalents as at 30 June 2017 stood at NOK 5,832 million (US$ 696 million) compared to NOK 3,010 million (US$ 359 million) as at the same 2016 accounting date. In addition to the aforementioned reasons influencing the results, performance has also been impacted by the passenger tax introduced by the Norwegian government in June 2016.

 

In June, for the first time, the airline transported more than 3 million passengers in a single month. This is an increase of 10 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year. Passenger growth on the long-haul routes was up 38 per cent. While capacity grew by 20 per cent, traffic increased by 19 per cent, resulting in the load factor slightly dropping to 89.7 per cent. The load factor for long-haul flights was about 95 per cent.

 

In early July, Norwegian announced that their CFO Frode Foss had resigned after 15 years at the company. Tore Ostby, who is vice-president of investor relations, will act as finance chief on an interim basis. On 14 July 2017, the US Department of Transportation granted a tentative approval to Norwegian´s UK subsidiary after the European Union warned the US that it would pursue formal arbitration.

 

Over 2017 Norwegian expects a negative impact from the passenger tax in Norway and weaker demand in the UK. Performance may be negatively influenced by currency movements and increasing unit costs due to fuel price movements. Bookings are solid, ahead of the third quarter. The airline has upgraded their loyalty programme, allowing passengers to qualify for free flights and upgrades. Norwegian will start transatlantic flights from Rome this winter. In spring 2018, it will add Austin and Chicago to its network and add transatlantic routes out of Paris to existing destinations. The airline will then connect 13 European destinations to 15 cities in the U.S. and become the second largest airline in terms of number of transatlantic routes. Entering new markets requires investment and Norwegian´s unit revenue (RASK - Revenue per Available Seat Kilometre) decreased over the previous eleven consecutive months, whereas since 2009, average annual unit costs have remained stable or decreased. Norwegian´s first routes which started in 2013 for example, had turned to profitability by their second year of operation. Although some of the current routes, such as flights to Providence or Hartford, will be operated with narrow-body aircraft, the Boeing 787 is the backbone of Norwegian´s long-haul strategy, as most of the destinations are outside the range of Norwegian´s narrow-body fleet.

 

Thai Airways International PCL

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, headquartered in Bangkok, is a full-service network carrier and flag carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand and is majority-owned by the Thai Government (Ministry of Finance) (51.03 per cent). Thai Airways, including its subsidiary Thai Smile, has a current fleet of 97 aircraft of which six are Boeing 787-8s. Two Boeing 787-9s and seven Airbus A350 are on order as part of the airline´s fleet renewal plan. The carrier transported more than 22 million passengers in 2016 and flies from Bangkok to over 63 destinations in 34 countries.

The restructuring plan, "Transformation", seems to be having a positive effect on financial results and customer satisfaction. Thai Airways, including all subsidiaries, returned to profitability in 2016. The carrier reported an operating profit of THB 4.07 billion (US$ 113 million) compared to a loss of THB 1.30 billion (US$ 36 million) in 2015. Net profits were THB 47 million (US$ 1.3 million) compared to a net loss of THB 13.05 billion (US$ 362 million) in 2015. Net profits were impacted by one-time cost items of THB 1.32 billion (US$ 37 million), expenses of the Transformation plan of THB 1.23 billion (US$ 34 million) and impairment losses of THB 3.63 billion (US$ 101 million); but benefited from foreign currency exchange gains of THB 685 million (US$ 19 million). Although total revenues decreased by 4.3 per cent to THB 180.56 billion (US$ 5.03 billion), total expenses declined by 7.1 per cent to THB 176.49 billion (US$ 4.92 billion). Capacity grew by 1.9 per cent whereas demand increased by 2.5 per cent and the load factor slightly improved to 73.4 per cent. Passenger numbers increased by 4.8 per cent and aircraft utilisation increased by 5.5 per cent to 11.5 block hours per aircraft per day compared to hours in 2015. Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2016 stood at THB 13.39 billion (US$ 373 million) and total assets were THB 283.12 billion (US$ 7.89 billion).

First quarter results for 2017 showed revenues of THB 49.80 billion (US$ 1.44 billion) which was a slight decrease of 0.8 per cent compared to the same quarter in the previous year, as a consequence of greater competition and lower fuel surcharges. While capacity grew by 4.4 per cent, demand increased by 11.6 per cent and the load factor improved from 77.5 per cent to 82.8 per cent. Passenger numbers increased by 10.1 per cent to 6.52 million and aircraft utilisation rose by 7.8 per cent to 12.4 block hours per aircraft per day. Operating profits decreased by 60.1 per cent to THB 2.87 billion (US$ 83 million) and net profits declined by 47.3 per cent to THB 3.17 billion (US$ 92 million). Results were impacted by the 45.8 per cent increase in average jet fuel prices compared to the same period in 2016. Cash and cash equivalents stood at THB 13.61 billion (US$ 395 million) and total assets were THB 283.00 billion (US$ 8.21 billion) as at 31 March 2017.

This year, Thai Airways has entered the third and final stage of its restructuring plan known as "sustainable growth". This includes, amongst other things, the use of a single home-base airport (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) for both Thai Airways and Thai Smile from January 2017, as well as the introduction of a new online and mobile sales platform to facilitate internet bookings. From August, Thai Smile will move to the same global distribution system as the parent company to enhance booking efficiency and profit from synergy effects. Furthermore, Thai Airways intends to expand into new markets and focus on new routes to India, China and the ASEAN member states. The carrier will also start operating from Bangkok to Vienna and will double capacity to Russia in the next winter season. Arrivals from Russia increased sharply in 2017. Part of the network growth includes codeshare agreements with Bangkok Airways. A further strategic measure of the Transformation Plan is "Customer Excellence". The carrier plans to enhance the travel experience and to retrofit passenger seats and entertainment systems to achieve consistency across its entire passenger fleet. The implementation of a new First Class and short haul Business Class to upgrade the premium product has been announced as well. At the 2017 World Airline Awards (Skytrax), Thai Airways was announced "World's Best Economy Class", "Best Airline Lounge Spa Facility" and "Best Economy Class Onboard Catering", indicating that the implemented measures are proving successful.

Thai Airways International PCL

Thai Airways received board approval and is currently seeking governmental approval to purchase 28 new aircraft, mainly to replace older aircraft of Thai and Thai Smile in the next five years. The carrier intends to maintain a fleet of around 100 aircraft. In June, the carrier raised THB 8 billion (US$ 236 million) through an unsecured debenture issue. The securities were placed with institutional and high net worth investors. The five tranches have tenures of between three and 15 years, with coupon rates between 2.74% and 4.68%. All tranches had been rated A/stable by Standard & Poor's Thai partner, TRIS rating.

 

DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG

Member of Dr. Peters Group

Stockholmer Allee 53

44269 Dortmund, Germany

 

 

DIRECTORS

Jonathan (Jon) Bridel, Non- Executive Chairman (52)

Jon is a Guernsey resident and is currently a non-Executive Director of The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited (FTSE 250), Alcentra European Floating Rate Income Fund Limited, Starwood European Real Estate Finance Limited, Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited and Funding Circle SME Income Fund Limited which are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Other companies include Fair Oaks Income Fund Limited. Jon was previously Managing Director of Royal Bank of Canada's investment businesses in the Channel Islands and served as a Director on other RBC companies including RBC Regent Fund Managers Limited. Prior to joining RBC, Jon served in a number of senior management positions in banking, specialising in credit and corporate finance and private businesses as Chief Financial Officer in London, Australia and Guernsey having previously worked at Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance in London.

Jon graduated from the University of Durham with a degree of Master of Business Administration, holds qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (1987) where he is a Fellow, the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jon is a Chartered Marketer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Jeremy Thompson, Non- Executive Director (62)

Jeremy Thompson is a Guernsey resident with sector experience in Finance, Telecoms, Aerospace and Oil & Gas. He acts as a consultant to a number of businesses which include independent non-executive directorships for three private equity funds and to an Investment Manager serving the listed NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited. In addition Jeremy is also a non-executive director of Riverstone Energy Limited (FTSE 250). Between 2005 and 2009 he was a director of multiple businesses within a London based private equity group. This entailed board positions on both private, listed and SPV companies and highly successful exits. Prior to that he was CEO of four autonomous global businesses within Cable & Wireless PLC and earlier held CEO roles within the Dowty Group. Jeremy has studied and worked in the UK, USA and Germany.

Jeremy currently serves as chairman of the States of Guernsey Renewable Energy Team and is a commissioner of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. He is also an independent member of the Guernsey Tax Tribunal panel. Jeremy is a graduate of Brunel (B.Sc) and Cranfield (MBA) Universities and was an invited member to the UK's senior defence course (Royal College of Defence Studies). He holds the Institute of Directors (IoD) Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration. In 2016 he graduated with an M.Sc in Corporate Governance and obtained GradlCSA membership.

Angela Behrend-Görnemann, Non-Executive Director (60)

Angela started her career with Hapag-Lloyd AG and was, from 1984 until 2015, employed with HSH Nordbank AG, Hamburg, Germany as the Global Head of Aviation Finance and Global Head of Transportation Finance. In this function she was responsible for Aviation, Rail and Infrastructure Finance with more than 100 employees in teams in New York, London, Hamburg, Kiel, Singapore and Shanghai. She initiated the foundation of the Dublin based Aviation Asset Manager Amentum Capital. Between 2007 and 2011 she was Class B Manager and member of the Investment Committee of HSH Global Aircraft I S.a.r.l, Luxembourg, a closed ended Aircraft Fund. She has extensive experience in the transportation and banking industries with more than 20 years experience in aviation. Angela is resident in Germany.

 

 

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Asset risk

The Company's Assets comprise of four Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

The Boeing 787-8 is a newly developed generation of aircraft and therefore there is insufficient experience and data currently available to be able to give a complete assessment of the long-term use and operation of the aircraft. The Group is exposed to the used aircraft market of the Boeing 787-8, which at this time is untested.

Market risk

The airline industry is particularly sensitive to changes in economic conditions and is highly competitive; risks affecting the airline industry generally could affect the ability of Norwegian or Thai Airways to comply with its obligations under the Leases (or any subsequent lease).

There is no guarantee that, upon expiry of the leases, the Assets could be sold for an amount that would enable shareholders to realise a capital profit on their investment or to avoid a loss. Costs regarding any future re-leasing of the assets would depend upon various economic factors and would be determinable only upon an individual re-leasing event.

Key personnel risk

The ability of the Company to achieve its investment objective is significantly dependent upon the advice of certain key personnel at DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG; there is no guarantee that such personnel will be available to provide services to the Company for the scheduled term of the Lease or following the termination of the Lease. However, Key Man clauses within the Asset Management Agreement do provide a base line level of protection against this risk.

Credit risk & Counterparty risk

Credit risk is the risk that a significant counterparty will default on its contractual obligations. The Group's most significant counterparties are Norwegian and Thai Airways as lessees and providers of income and Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale ('NordLB') and DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale ('DekaBank') as holder of the Group's cash and restricted cash. The lessees do not maintain a credit rating. The credit rating of NordLB is Baa3 (2016: Baa1) and the credit rating of DekaBank is Aa3 (2016: Aa3).

 

Norwegian's stated strategy of providing low-cost long haul flights may not be successful; failure of this strategy, or of any other material part of Norwegian's business including its financing strategy combined with ambitious growth objectives, may adversely affect Norwegian's ability to comply with its obligations under the leases.

 

There is no guarantee that the business model of Thai Airways will be successful. Failure of any material part of the business model may have an adverse impact on its ability to comply with its obligations under the leases.

 

Any failure by Norwegian or Thai Airways to pay any amounts when due would have an adverse effect on the Group's ability to comply with its obligations under the loan agreements, could ultimately have an impact on the Company's ability to pay dividends and could result in the lenders enforcing their security and selling the relevant Assets on the market potentially negatively impacting the returns to investors. In mitigation, Norwegian is the second largest airline in Scandinavia and the third largest low-cost airline in Europe and Thai Airways is an International full service carrier.

 

Liquidity risk

In order to finance the purchase of the Assets, the Group has entered into four separate loan agreements pursuant to which the Group has borrowed an initial amount of US$ 316,600,000 in total. Pursuant to the loan agreements, the lenders are given first ranking security over the Assets. Under the provisions of each of the loan agreements, the Borrowers are required to comply with loan covenants and undertakings. A failure to comply with such covenants or undertakings may result in the relevant lenders recalling the relevant loan. In such circumstances, the Group may be required to sell the relevant Asset to repay the outstanding relevant loan.

 

 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief that:

 

· the unaudited Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU;

· the unaudited Interim Report (comprising the Chairman's Statement, the Asset Manager's Report and the Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties) meets the requirements of an interim management report, and includes a fair review of the information required by:

(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the interim accounting period from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017 and their impact on the condensed consolidated set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the full financial period; and

(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place during the interim accounting period from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017 and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; any changes in the related parties transactions described in the last annual report that could have a material effect on the financial position or performance of the enterprise in the first six months of the current financial year.

 

GOING CONCERN

 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Directors believe the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully as the interest on the Group's loans have been fixed with the bank or via an interest rate swap and the lease rental income and supplemental rental income have been set at an aggregate absolute income stream in excess of the Group's expenses, distributions and finance costs.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

For the six month period ended 30 June 2017

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

Note

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

Lease rental income

4

28,730,567 

28,605,561 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

Asset management fees

17

(475,629)

(464,311)

Asset Manager's disposal fee

17

(157,254)

(125,050)

General and administrative expenses

5

(394,608)

(418,829)

Depreciation

9

(9,811,456)

(9,739,931)

Amortisation

9

(2,181,009)

(965,526)

 

 

(13,019,956)

(11,713,647)

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

15,710,611 

16,891,914 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

6

(6,138,486)

(6,684,885)

Finance income

 

101,739 

32,609 

Net Finance Costs

 

(6,036,747)

(6,652,276)

 

 

 

 

Profit before tax

 

9,673,864 

10,239,638 

 

 

 

 

Taxation

7

(25,515)

(53,717)

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

9,648,349 

10,185,921 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income / (Expense)

 

 

 

Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges - changes in fair value

15

(752,931)

(5,777,590)

Cash flow hedges - reclassified to profit or loss

15

972,441 

1,385,536 

Total Other Comprehensive Income / (Expense)

 

219,510

(4,392,054)

Total Comprehensive Income for the period

 

9,867,859 

5,793,867 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US$ 

US$ 

Earnings per Share for the period - basic and diluted

8

0.0461 

0.0487 

       

All the items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

As at 30 June 2017

 

 

30 June 2017

(unaudited)

31 December 2016

(audited)

 

Note

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment - Aircraft

9

420,691,518 

430,502,974 

Intangible Asset - Aircraft Lease Premium

9

37,284,530 

39,465,539 

Total non-current assets

 

457,976,048 

469,968,513 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

9,697,751 

9,011,045 

Restricted cash

10

40,499,719 

35,918,011 

Trade and other receivables

 

26,097 

50,733 

Total current assets

 

50,223,567 

44,979,789 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

508,199,615 

514,948,302 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

Share Capital

13

210,556,652 

210,556,652 

Retained Earnings

 

844,832 

616,483 

Hedging Reserve

 

(3,174,772)

(3,394,282)

Total equity

 

208,226,712 

207,778,853 

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Bank borrowings

12

228,446,498 

240,239,740 

Maintenance reserves

 

27,049,948 

22,569,978 

Security deposits

 

13,264,420 

13,264,420 

Derivative instrument liabilities

15

3,174,772 

3,394,282 

Asset Manager's disposal fee

17

757,766 

600,512 

Total non-current liabilities

 

272,693,404 

280,068,932 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Bank borrowings

12

24,236,157 

23,986,255 

Deferred income

4

2,598,555 

2,681,426 

Trade and other payables

11

444,787 

432,836 

Total current liabilities

 

27,279,499 

27,100,517

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILTIES

 

299,972,903 

307,169,449

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

 

508,199,615 

514,948,302

     

 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and were authorised for issue on 22 August 2017. They were signed on its behalf by:

 

Jon Bridel Jeremy Thompson

Chairman Director

 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

For the six month period ended 30 June 2017

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

9,648,349 

10,185,921 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

9,811,456 

9,739,931 

Amortisation

 

2,181,009 

965,526 

Amortisation of deferred finance costs

 

146,821 

146,003 

Finance costs

 

5,991,665 

6,538,882 

Income tax expense

 

25,515 

53,717 

Changes in:

 

 

 

Increase in maintenance reserve

 

4,479,970 

5,645,771 

(Decrease)/ increase in deferred income

 

(82,871)

40,008 

Increase in Asset Manager's disposal fee

 

157,254 

Increase in accruals and other payables

 

23,450 

40,252 

Decrease in receivables

 

24,636 

16,879 

NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

32,407,254 

33,372,890 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

(4,581,708)

(5,677,908)

NET CASH FLOW USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(4,581,708)

(5,677,908)

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

(9,420,000)

(9,420,000)

Bank loan principal repaid

 

(11,686,890)

(11,130,721)

Bank loan interest paid

 

(5,022,495)

(5,185,861)

Swap interest paid

 

(1,009,455)

(1,409,083)

NET CASH FLOW USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(27,138,840)

(27,145,665)

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

9,011,045 

7,777,349 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

686,706 

549,317 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

9,697,751 

8,326,666 

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

For the six month period ended 30 June 2017

 

 

 

Retained

Hedging

Total

 

 

Share capital

Earnings

Reserve

Equity

 

Note

US$

US$

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2017

 

210,556,652 

616,483 

(3,394,282)

207,778,853 

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

9,648,349 

9,648,349 

Other comprehensive income

 

219,510

219,510

Total comprehensive income

 - 

9,648,349 

219,510

9,867,859 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the Company

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

14

(9,420,000)

(9,420,000)

As at 30 June 2017 (unaudited)

 

210,556,652 

844,832 

(3,174,772)

208,226,712 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2016

 

210,556,652 

519,298 

(5,422,482)

205,653,468 

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

 

10,185,921 

10,185,921 

Other comprehensive income

 

(4,392,054)

(4,392,054)

Total comprehensive income

 

10,185,921 

(4,392,054)

5,793,867 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the Company

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

14

(9,420,000)

(9,420,000)

As at 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 

210,556,652 

1,285,219 

(9,814,536)

202,027,335 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

The notes form an integral part of these financial statements. 

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the six month period ended 30 June 2017 

 

1) GENERAL INFORMATION

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements ('financial statements') incorporate the results of the Company and that of wholly owned subsidiary entities, DP Aircraft Guernsey I Limited, DP Aircraft Guernsey II Limited, DP Aircraft Guernsey III Limited, DP Aircraft Guernsey IV Limited (collectively and hereinafter, the 'Borrowers'), each being a Guernsey Incorporated company limited by shares and two intermediate lessor companies, DP Aircraft Ireland Limited and DP Aircraft UK Limited (the 'Lessors'), an Irish incorporated private limited company and a UK incorporated private limited company respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries (the Borrowers and the Lessors) comprise the Group.

 

DP Aircraft I Limited (the 'Company') was incorporated on 5 July 2013 with registered number 56941. The Company is admitted to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange.

 

The Share Capital of the Company comprises 209,333,333 Ordinary Shares of no par value and one Subordinated Administrative Share of no par value.

 

The Company's investment objective is to obtain income and capital returns for its Shareholders by acquiring, leasing and then, when the Board considers it appropriate, selling aircraft.

 

2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Basis of preparation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements ("financial statements") for the period 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ('DTR's') of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA').

 

The financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016. The Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and are available on the Company's website or from the Company Secretary.

 

The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 but also taking into account any new policies that will be applied in the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2017.

 

The Directors considered all new relevant new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards effective for the financial statements for the six month period ended 30 June 2017 and determined that none will have a material impact on the annual consolidated financial statements of the Group.

 

There are a number of standards and interpretations which have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board that are effective for periods beginning subsequent to 31 December 2017 (the date on which the Group's next annual consolidated financial statements will be prepared up to) that the Group has decided not to adopt early. The most significant of these are:

· IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018);

· IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018); and

· IFRS 16 Leases (effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019).

 

As disclosed in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 these standards are not expected to have a significant impact on the financial statements of the Group. The intention of the Directors is to continue to hedge account in accordance with the hedge accounting model in IAS 39 Financial Instruments Recognition and Measurement as permitted by IFRS 9.

 

3) SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in compliance with IAS 34 requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from their sources.

 

There have been no material revisions to the significant judgements made by management or the nature and amount of changes in estimates of amounts reported in the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

4) LEASE RENTAL INCOME

 

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

Deferred income brought forward

2,681,426 

2,598,554 

 

Lease rental income received

28,647,696 

28,645,569 

 

Deferred income carried forward

(2,598,555)

(2,638,562)

 

Total lease rental income

28,730,567 

28,605,561 

 

5) GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Legal and professional fees

111,343

141,966

Directors fees and expenses

104,466

86,498

Administration fees

95,767

93,437

Insurance

31,677

31,416

Audit fees

 

30,260

36,949

Other fees and expenses

 

21,095

28,563

Total general and administrative expenses

394,608

418,829

 

6) FINANCE COSTS

 

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Loan interest paid and payable

 

5,019,224

5,153,346

Amortisation of deferred finance costs

146,821

146,003

Total finance costs at effective interest rate

5,166,045

5,299,349

Cash flow hedges reclassified from other comprehensive income

 

 

972,441

 

1,385,536

Total finance costs

 

6,138,486

6,684,885

     

 

7) TAXATION

 

With the exception of DP Aircraft Ireland Limited and DP Aircraft UK Limited, all companies within the Group are exempt from taxation in Guernsey and are charged an annual exemption fee of £1,200 each (2016: £1,200).

 

DP Aircraft Ireland Limited and DP Aircraft UK Limited are subject to taxation at the applicable rate in Ireland and the United Kingdom respectively. The amount of taxation charged during the period ended 30 June 2017 was US$ 25,515 (period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016: US$ 53,717). The Directors do not expect the taxation payable to be material to the Group.

 

A taxation reconciliation has not been presented in these financial statements as the effective tax rate is 0.5%.

 

8) EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Profit for the period

9,648,349

10,185,921

Weighted average number of shares

209,333,333

209,333,333

Earnings per share

0.0461

0.0487

 

There are no instruments in issue that could potentially dilute earnings per Ordinary Share in future periods.

 

9) PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT & INTANGIBLE ASSETS - AIRCRAFT & LEASE PREMIUM

 

 

Aircraft 

Lease Premium

Total

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

US$ 

US$

US$

COST

 

 

 

As at 1 January and 30 June 2017

476,751,161 

46,979,793 

523,730,954 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2017

46,248,187 

7,514,254 

53,762,441 

Charge for the period

9,811,456 

2,181,009 

11,992,465 

As at 30 June 2017

56,059,643 

9,695,263 

65,754,906 

 

 

 

 

CARRYING AMOUNT

 

 

 

As at 30 June 2017

420,691,518 

37,284,530 

457,976,048 

 

 

 

 

 

Aircraft 

Lease Premium

Total

 

(audited)

(audited)

(audited)

 

US$ 

US$

US$

COST

 

 

 

As at 1 January and 31 December 2016

476,751,161 

46,979,793 

523,730,954 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2016

27,465,161 

3,152,234 

30,617,395 

Charge for the year

18,783,026 

4,362,020 

23,145,046 

As at 31 December 2016

46,248,187 

7,514,254 

53,762,441 

 

 

 

 

CARRYING AMOUNT

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2016

430,502,974 

39,465,539 

469,968,513 

 

 

 

 

The Boeing 787-8 is a new generation of aircraft. Due to the new type of design, in particular in respect of innovative materials and technology, there is currently insufficient experience and data available to be able to give a complete assessment of the long-term use and operation of the aircraft. There is a risk that the newly developed materials may be found to be less efficient or durable than expected and thereby may lead to higher maintenance and repair costs. Under the terms of the Leases, the cost of repair and maintenance of the Assets will be borne by Norwegian and Thai Airways. However, upon expiry or termination of the leases, the cost of repair and maintenance will fall upon the Group. Therefore upon expiry of the leases, the Group may bear higher costs and the terms of any subsequent leasing arrangement (including terms for repair, maintenance and insurance costs relative to those agreed under the leases) may be adversely affected, which could reduce the overall distributions paid to the Shareholders.

 

The estimated residual value of the Boeing 787-8 Assets as at the end of their respective leases in 2025 and 2026 have been supported by independent experts as at 31 December 2016. The residual value will depend upon a variety of factors including actual or anticipated fluctuations in the results of the airline industry, market perception of the airline industry, general economic and social and political development, changes in industry conditions, fuel prices or rates of inflation.

 

As disclosed in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016, the Directors updated their assessment of the residual values and considered the Aircraft and lease premium separately. Residual value estimates of the Aircraft were determined by the full life inflated values from three external valuations and discounted by the inflation rate incorporated into those valuations and the lease premium was determined to have a US$ nil residual value. Prior to this the residual value of the Assets (representing combined assets and related premiums) was determined to be 50 per cent of the combined purchase cost, supported by external valuations. The separate consideration of the lease premium resulted in an increase in the amortisation charge.

 

The future cash in-flows for the Assets (excluding the assets residual value in the event of a sale) have been fixed at a set rate as agreed between the Group, loan providers and the lessees.

 

The loans entered into by the Group to complete the purchase of the first two aircraft are cross collateralised. Each of the loans are secured by way of security taken over each of the first aircraft and the second aircraft.

 

The loans entered into by the Group to complete the purchase of the second two aircraft are cross collateralised. Each of the loans are secured by way of security taken over each of the third aircraft and the fourth aircraft.

 

10) RESTRICTED CASH

 

 

30 June 2017

31 December 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Security Deposits

 

13,315,931

13,291,363

Maintenance reserves

 

27,183,788

22,626,648

Total restricted cash

 

40,499,719

35,918,011

 

 

 

 

 

      

11) TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

 

 

30 June 2017

31 December 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Swap interest payable

 

64,903

101,917

Accruals and other payables

 

301,273

277,823

Taxation payable

 

78,611

53,096

Total trade and other payables

 

444,787

432,836

 

 

 

 

 

       

12) BANK BORROWINGS

 

 

30 June 2017

31 December 2016

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

US$

 US$

Current liabilities: bank interest payable and bank borrowings

24,236,157 

23,986,255 

Non-current liabilities: bank borrowing

228,446,498 

240,239,740 

Total liabilities

252,682,655 

264,225,995 

 

 

 

The borrowings are repayable as follows:

 

 

Interest payable

370,316 

373,587 

Within one year

23,865,841 

23,612,668 

In two to five years

107,333,042 

106,051,575 

After five years

121,113,456 

134,188,165 

Total bank borrowings

252,682,655 

264,225,995 

 

The table below analyses the movements in the Group's bank borrowings:

 

 

30 June 2017

31 December 2016

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

US$

US$

Opening balance

263,852,408 

286,079,714 

Repayment of loan

(11,686,890)

(22,520,131)

Amortisation of deferred finance costs

146,821 

292,825 

Total bank borrowings

252,312,339 

263,852,408 

 

The balance of unamortised deferred finance costs at 30 June 2017 was US$ 2,582,768 (31 December 2016: US$ 2,729,589).

 

Loans

During the year ended 31 December 2015 the Company utilised the proceeds from the placing and the proceeds of two separate loans from DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale ('DekaBank') of US$ 78,500,000 each to fund the purchase of two Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The balance on the loans at 30 June 2017 was US$ 134,851,986 (31 December 2016: US$ 140,686,861).

 

During the period ended 31 December 2014 the Company utilised the proceeds from the initial public offering and the proceeds of two separate loans from Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale ('NordLB') of US$ 79,800,000 each to fund the purchase of two Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The balance on the loans at 30 June 2017 was US$ 120,043,121 (31 December 2016: US$125,895,136).

 

All of the loans will be fully amortised with monthly repayments in arrears over the term until the scheduled expiry of each respective lease. There have been no defaults or breaches under the loan agreements (2016: none).

 

Structure and term

The committed term of each loan is from the drawdown date until the date falling twelve years from the Delivery Date of the relevant Asset. Each Loan will be amortised with repayments every month in arrears over the term in amounts as set out in a schedule agreed by the Company and the Lenders. Amortisation will be on an annuity-style (i.e. mortgage-style) basis.

 

Interest

Interest on each DekaBank loan is payable in arrears on the last day of each interest period, which is one month long. Interest on the loan accrues at a fixed rate of 4.10 per cent including a margin of 1.95 per cent per annum. If any amount is not paid by the Borrower when due under the loan agreements, interest will accrue on such amount at the then current rate applicable to the loan plus 2.0 per cent per annum.

 

Interest on each NordLB loan is payable in arrears on the last day of each interest period, which is one month long (the 'Interest Period'). Interest on each Loan accrues at a floating rate of interest which is calculated using LIBOR for the length of the Interest Period and a margin of 2.6 per cent per annum (the 'Loan Margin') ('Loan Floating Rate'). For the purposes of calculating the Loan Floating Rate, if on the date when LIBOR is set prior to the beginning of an Interest Period it is not possible for LIBOR to be determined by reference to a screen rate at the time that LIBOR is to be set for that Interest Period (a 'Market Disruption Event'), the amount of interest payable to each affected Loan Lender during the Interest Period will be the aggregate of each Lender's cost of funds during that monthly period and the Loan Margin. If any amount is not paid by the Borrower when due under the Loan Transaction Documents, interest will accrue on such amount at the then current rate applicable to the Loan plus 2.0 per cent per annum. The Group has entered into ISDA-standard hedging arrangement with NordLB as hedging provider in connection with the Loans, in order to provide for a fixed interest rate of 5.06% and 5.08% to be payable in respect of the loans throughout the whole term.

 

Cross Collateralisation

The DekaBank loans entered into by the Group to complete the purchase of the third and fourth Assets are cross collateralised. Each of the third and fourth loan is secured by way of security taken over the third and fourth Assets and enforce security over both Assets. This means that a default on one loan places both of the Assets at risk.

 

Similarly the NordLB loans entered into by the Group to complete the purchase of the first two Assets are cross collateralised. Each of the first and second loan is secured by way of security taken over the first and second Assets and enforce security over both Assets. This means that a default on one loan places both of the Assets at risk.

 

Following the enforcement of security and sale of the aircraft, the remaining proceeds, if any, may be substantially lower than investors' initial investment in the Company.

 

13) SHARE CAPITAL

 

Period ended 30 June 2017 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Subordinated

 

 

 

Administrative

Ordinary

 

 

Share

Shares

Total

Issued and fully paid:

Number

Number

Number

 

 

 

 

Shares as at 1 January and 30 June 2017

209,333,333

209,333,334

 

 

 

 

Share capital:

US$

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

Share capital as at 1 January and 30 June 2017

210,556,651

210,556,562

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2016 (audited)

 

 

 

 

Subordinated

 

 

 

Administrative

Ordinary

 

 

Share

Shares

Total

Issued and fully paid:

Number

Number

Number

 

 

 

 

Shares as at 1 January and 31 December 2016

1

209,333,333

209,333,334

 

 

 

 

 

US$

US$

US$

Share capital as at 1 January and 31 December 2016

1

210,556,651

210,556,562

           

 

Subject to the applicable company law and the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the Company may issue an unlimited number of shares of par value and/or no par value or a combination of both.

 

On 12 June 2015 a total of 96,333,333 shares were issued under the placing at an issue price of US$ 1.0589 per share raising gross proceeds of US$ 102 million. Total issue costs were US$ 2.3 million which included the 1.5% placing commission paid to Canaccord Genuity as placing agent.

 

On 10 June 2013 a total of 113,000,000 shares were issued under the initial public offering placing at an issue price of US$ 1 per share raising gross proceeds of US$ 113 million. Total issue costs were US$ 2.1 million which included the 1.5% placing commission paid to Canaccord Genuity as placing agent.

 

The Subordinated Administrative Share is held by DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG, (the Asset Manager).

 

Holders of Subordinated Administrative Shares are not entitled to participate in any dividends and other distributions of the Company. On a winding up of the Company the holders of the Subordinated Administrative Shares are entitled to an amount out of the surplus assets available for distribution equal to the amount paid up, or credited as paid up, on such shares after payment of an amount equal to the amount paid up, or credited as paid up, on the Ordinary Shares to the Shareholders. Holders of Subordinated Administrative Shares shall not have the right to receive notice of and have no right to attend, speak and vote at general meetings of the Company except if there are no Ordinary Shares in existence.

 

The Directors are entitled to issue and allot C Shares. No C Shares have been issued since the Company was incorporated.

 

14) DIVIDENDS

 

During the period ended 30 June 2017 the Company declared and paid the following dividends:

 

 

 

Dividend

 

 

Dividend reference period

Shares

per share

Paid

Payment date

 

 

US$

US$

 

Quarter ended 31 December 2016

209,333,333

0.0225

4,710,000

13 February 2017

Quarter ended 31 March 2017

209,333,333

0.0225

4,710,000

19 May 2017

 

 

 

9,420,000

 

 

A quarterly dividend of US$ 4,710,000 (US$ 0.0225 per share) for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 was paid on 18 August 2017. In accordance with IAS 10, this dividend has not been recognised in these financial statements.

 

During the period ended 30 June 2016 the Company declared and paid the following dividends:

 

 

Dividend

 

 

Dividend reference period

Shares

per share

Paid

Payment date

 

 

US$

US$

 

Quarter ended 31 December 2015

209,333,333

0.0225

4,710,000

12 February 2016

Quarter ended 31 March 2016

209,333,333

0.0225

4,710,000

20 May 2016

 

 

 

9,420,000

 

 

15) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities at amortised cost

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, restricted cash and interest payable approximate their carrying amounts due to the short term maturities of these instruments.

 

The fair value of floating rate borrowings is estimated by discounting future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar returns and remaining maturities and therefore the carrying value approximates fair value.

 

The fair value of fixed rate borrowings is estimated by discounting future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. The fair value of the loans is US$ 129,024,127 (31 December 2016: US$ 136,180,566) and the carrying value of the loans is US$ 134,851,986 (31 December 2016: US$ 140,686,863).

 

The fixed rate loans have been categorised within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the fixed rate loans for disclosure purposes have been determined by discounting future cash flows at a rate of 5.17% (31 December 2016: 4.87%). An increase in the discount rate would decrease the fair value of the fixed rate loans.

 

Financial liabilities designed as hedging instruments

The fair value of the Group's derivative interest rate swaps are determined by reference to the mid-point on the yield curves prevailing on the reporting date and represent the net present value of the differences between the contracted and the valuation rate when applied to the projected balances to the period from the reporting date to the contracted expiry date.

 

The interest rate swaps are valued on a recurring basis and have been categorised within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy required by IFRS 13.

 

The following table details the contractual undiscounted cash flows of the interest rate swaps:

 

As at 30 June 2017

Next 12 months

2 to 5 years

After 5 years

Total

 

US$

US$

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

 

Floating rate receivable

3,237,543 

9,254,064 

2,483,575 

14,975,182 

Fixed rate payable

(5,889,021)

(16,833,121)

(4,517,942)

(27,240,084)

Interest rate swaps

(2,651,478)

(7,579,057)

(2,034,367)

(12,264,902)

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2016

Next 12 months

2 to 5 years

After 5 years

Total

 

US$

US$

US$

US$

 

 

 

 

 

Floating rate receivable

3,406,498 

10,021,245 

3,287,839 

16,715,582 

Fixed rate payable

(6,196,339)

(18,228,570)

(5,980,920)

(30,405,829)

Interest rate swaps

(2,789,841)

(8,207,325)

(2,693,081)

(13,690,247)

 

 

 

 

 

         

As at 30 June 2017, the aggregate loss on the fair value of the interest rate swaps was US$ 3,174,772 (31 December 2016: US$ 3,394,282).

 

Transfers between levels

The Company determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorisation based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole at the end of each reporting period.

 

There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and no transfers into or out of level 3 fair value measurements during the six month period ended 30 June 2017 or in the year ended 31 December 2016.

 

16) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Directors of the Company received total fees from the Group as follows:

 

 

 

30 June 2017

30 June 2016

 

 

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

 

US$

US$

 

Jonathan Bridel (Chairman)

36,006

36,416

 

Jeremy Thompson (Audit Committee Chairman)

29,459

31,133

 

Didier Benaroya

-

4,869

 

Angela Behrend-Görnemann

36,797

12,303

 

Total

102,262

84,721

 

The Directors receive the following fees:

· Jon Bridel - Chairman: £35,000 plus £20,000 for the four subsidiary companies;

· Jeremy Thompson: £25,000 plus £20,000 for the subsidiary companies; and

· Angela Behrend-Görnemann: £20,000* plus £20,000* for four subsidiary companies, £5,000* for the Irish Lessor and £5,000* for the UK Lessor from 1 May 2016.

*Ms Behrend-Görnemann receives her fee in Euros at the previously agreed GBP/EUR exchange rate of 1.30 resulting in an annual overall fee of €65,000 per annum which commenced from her date of appointment on 1 May 2016.

 

Following the Directors annual review of the Directors' fees and subsequent approval at the Company's AGM on 17 July 2017, with effect from 1 April 2017 the Directors receive the following fees:

· Jon Bridel, Chairman -£56,400 per annum;

· Jeremy Thompson, Chairman of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director -£46,100 per annum; and

· Angela Behrend-Görnemann - €66,600 per annum.

 

The Directors' interests in the shares of the Company are detailed below:

 

 

 

30 June 2017

31 December 2016

 

 

Number of

ordinary shares

Number of

ordinary shares

 

Jonathan Bridel

7,500

7,500

 

Jeremy Thompson

15,000

15,000

 

Angela Behrend-Görnemann

-

-

 

17) MATERIAL CONTRACTS

 

Asset Management Agreement

The Asset Management Agreement, dated 19 September 2013, between the Company and DS Aviation was amended on 5 June 2015 to reflect the acquisition of the two new aircraft.

 

The amended agreement provides a calculation methodology for the disposal fee which will only become payable when all four of the Assets have been sold after the expiry of the fourth Thai Airways lease in December 2026. The fee will be calculated as a percentage of the aggregate net sale proceeds of the four Assets, such percentage rate depending upon the Initial Investor Total Asset Return per share being the total amount distributed to an initial investor by way of dividend, capital return or otherwise over the life of the Company. If each of the Assets is sold subsequent to the expiry of their respective leases, the percentage rate shall be:

· Nil if the Initial Investor Total Asset Return per share is less than 205%,

· 1.5% if the Initial Total Asset Return per share equals or exceeds 205% but is less than 255%,

· 2% if the Initial Total Asset Return per share equals or exceeds 255% but is less than 305%, or

· 3% if the Initial Total Asset Return per share equals or exceeds 305%.

 

In the event that any of the Assets is sold prior to the expiry of its lease the percentage hurdles set out above will be adjusted on the following basis:

 

(i) an amount will be deducted in respect of each Asset sold prior to the expiry of its lease, equal to the net present value of the aggregate amount of dividends per share that were targeted to be paid but were not paid as a result of the early divestment of the relevant Asset; and

 

(ii) a further amount will be deducted, in respect of each Asset sold prior to the expiry of its lease, equal to the amount by which the proportion of the non-dividend component of the relevant percentage hurdle attributable to the relevant Asset would need to be reduced in order to meet its net present value.

 

The disposal fee is a cash-settled payment to the Asset Manager. In determining the provision for the financial statements, the Directors have estimated the fee that will be payable on disposal of the assets. This has then been discounted using the group's weighted average cost of capital and is recognised straight line over the period until the estimated payment date. The provision for the disposal fee at 30 June 2017 was US$ 757,766 (31 December 2016: US$ 600,512) and the discount rate used was 7.62% (31 December 2016: 7.74%).

 

The Asset Manager is paid a base fee which is US$ 21,354 per month in respect of the first two Assets increasing by 2.5% per annum and US$ 16,666 per month in respect of the second two Assets increasing by 2.5% per annum from May 2016. In the six month period ended 30 June 2017 Asset Management fees totalled US$ 475,629 (Six month period ended 30 June 2016 US$ 464,311) of which US$ 79,600 were due at 30 June 2017 (31 December 2016: US$ 79,035).

 

Pursuant to the agreement, the Asset Manager received an arrangement fee of US$ 2.72 million in respect of the acquisition of the first two assets in the period ended 31 December 2014, and an arrangement fee of US$ 2.07 million in respect of the acquisition of the third and fourth assets in the year ended 31 December 2015.

 

18) SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

 

The Group is engaged in one operating segment, being acquiring, leasing and subsequent selling of Aircraft. The geographical location of the Assets of the Group is Norway and Thailand, where the Assets are registered. The income arising from the lease of the Assets originates from two lessees, one in Norway and one in Thailand.

 

19) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On 17 July 2017 the Company declared a dividend in respect of the quarter ended 30 June 2017 of US$ 0.0225 per ordinary share to holders of shares on the register at 28 July 2017. The ex-dividend date was 27 July 2017 with payment on 18 August 2017.

 

COMPANY INFORMATION

 

Directors Jonathan Bridel

Jeremy Thompson

Angela Behrend-Görnemann

 

Registered Office East Wing

Trafalgar Court

Les Banques

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3PP

Channel Islands

 

Asset Manager DS Aviation GmbH & Co. KG

Stockholmer Allee 53

44269 Dortmund

Germany

 

Solicitors to the Company Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

(as to English law) 3 More London Riverside

London

SE1 2AQ

United Kingdom

 

Advocates to the Company Ogier

(as to Guernsey law) Ogier House

St Julian's Avenue

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 1WA

Channel Islands

 

Auditor KPMG, Chartered Accountants

1 Harbourmaster Place

IFSC

Dublin 1

Ireland

 

Administrator and Company Secretary Aztec Financial Services (Guernsey) Limited

East Wing

Trafalgar Court

Les Banques

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3PP

Channel Islands

 

Corporate Broker Canaccord Genuity Limited

88 Wood Street

London

EC2V 7QR

United Kingdom

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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