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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 267-7600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each Class
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($.01 par value)
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES þ NO ¨
Indicate by check mark if the
registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES ¨ NO þ
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 þ NO ¨
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
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The aggregate market value of the voting Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange, as of September 30, 2014 was $2,255,674,848.
Certain portions of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year, are incorporated by reference under Part III of this Form 10-K.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed by Bristow Group Inc., which we refer to as Bristow Group or the Company.
We use the pronouns “we”, “our” and “us” and the term “Bristow Group” to refer collectively to Bristow Group and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, unless the context indicates otherwise. We also own interests in other entities that we do not consolidate for financial reporting purposes, which we refer to as unconsolidated affiliates, unless the context
indicates otherwise. Bristow Group, Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited (“Bristow Aviation”), our consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, and the unconsolidated affiliates are each separate corporations, limited liability companies or other legal entities, and our use of the terms “we”, “our” and “us” does not suggest that we have abandoned their separate identities or the legal protections given to them as separate legal entities. Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 is referred to as “fiscal year 2015”.
We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1969. Our executive
offices are located at 2103 City West Blvd., 4th Floor, Houston, Texas77042. Our telephone number is (713) 267-7600.
Our website address is http://www.bristowgroup.com. We make our website
content available for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon for investment purposes, nor is it incorporated by reference in this Annual Report. All of our periodic report filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) for fiscal periods ended on or after December 15, 2002 are made available, free of charge, through our website, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports. These reports are available through our website
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the SEC. In addition, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC’s Internet website located at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are statements
about our future business, strategy, operations, capabilities and results; financial projections; plans and objectives of our management; expected actions by us and by third parties, including our clients, competitors, vendors and regulators; and other matters. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes”, “belief”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “projects”, “estimates”, “may”, “might”, “would”, “could” or other similar words; however, all statements in this Annual Report, other than statements of historical fact or historical financial results are forward-looking statements.
Our forward-looking statements reflect our views and assumptions on the date we are filing this Annual Report regarding future events and operating performance. We believe they are reasonable, but they involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
You should consider the following key factors when evaluating these forward-looking statements:
•
the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate;
•
fluctuations
in worldwide prices of and demand for oil and natural gas;
•
fluctuations in levels of oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities;
•
fluctuations in the demand for our services;
•
the existence of competitors;
•
the
existence of operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance;
•
the possibility of changes in tax and other laws and regulations;
•
the possibility that the major oil companies do not continue to expand internationally and offshore;
the possibility of significant changes in foreign exchange rates and controls;
•
general economic conditions including the capital and credit markets;
•
the possibility that we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft due to limited availability or unable to exercise aircraft purchase
options;
•
the possibility that we may be unable to dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket;
•
the possibility that we or our suppliers may be unable to deliver new aircraft on time or on budget;
•
the possibility that we may be unable to obtain financing or we may be unable
to draw on our credit facilities;
•
the possibility that we may lack sufficient liquidity to continue to repurchase shares or pay a quarterly dividend;
•
the possibility that segments of our fleet may be grounded for extended periods of time or indefinitely;
•
the possibility that we may be unable
to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand;
•
the possibility that reductions in spending on helicopter services by governmental agencies could lead to modifications of search and rescue (“SAR”) contract terms or delays in receiving payments;
•
the possibility that clients may reject our aircraft due to late delivery or unacceptable aircraft design or operability; and
•
the
possibility that we do not achieve the anticipated benefits from the addition of new-technology aircraft to our fleet.
The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of risk factors, please see the risks and uncertainties described under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
All forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are only made as of the date of this Annual Report. We do not undertake any obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
We are the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. We have a long history in the helicopter services industry through Bristow Helicopters Ltd. (“Bristow Helicopters”) and Offshore Logistics, Inc., founded in 1955 and 1969, respectively. We have major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other
major offshore energy producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. We provide private sector SAR services in Australia, Canada, Norway, Russia and Trinidad, and we provide public sector SAR services in North Scotland on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Additionally, in March 2013 we were awarded a contract to provide public sector SAR services for all of the U.K. We are completing the construction of certain facilities, taking delivery of aircraft and training personnel. This contract commenced at two of the bases in April 2015 and five additional bases will commence operation in fiscal year 2016.
We generated 87%, 85% and 89% of our consolidated operating revenue, business unit operating
income and business unit adjusted EBITDAR, respectively, from operations outside of the U.S. in fiscal year 2015. Adjusted EBITDAR is calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as components of direct cost and general and administrative expense), provision for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods.
We conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. The Helicopter Services segment operations have been historically conducted primarily through five business units:
•
Europe,
•
West
Africa,
•
North America,
•
Australia, and
•
Other International.
Effective April 1, 2015, we reorganized our global operations. See “— Business Unit Operations — Changes
to Business Units” below for additional details on the changes to our business units.
We primarily provide helicopter services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Our clients charter our helicopters primarily to transport personnel between onshore bases and offshore production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. To a lesser extent, our clients also charter our helicopters to transport time-sensitive equipment to these offshore locations. These clients’ operating expenditures in the production sector are the principal source of our revenue, while their exploration and development capital expenditures provide a lesser portion of our revenue. The clients for SAR services include both the oil and gas industry, where our revenue is primarily dependent on our clients’ operating expenditures, and governmental agencies, where our revenue is dependent
on a country’s desire to privatize SAR and enter into long-term contracts.
Helicopters are generally classified as small (four to eight passenger capacity), medium (12 to 16 passenger capacity) and large (18 to 25 passenger capacity), each of which serves a different transportation need of the offshore energy industry. Medium and large helicopters, which can fly in a wider variety of operating conditions, over longer distances, at higher speeds and carry larger payloads than small helicopters, are most commonly used for crew changes on large offshore production facilities and drilling rigs. With these enhanced capabilities, medium and large helicopters have historically been preferred in international markets, where the offshore facilities tend to be larger, the drilling locations tend to be more remote and the onshore infrastructure tends
to be more limited. Additionally, local governmental regulations in certain international markets require us to operate twin-engine medium and large aircraft in those markets. Global demand for medium and large helicopters is driven by drilling, development and production activity levels in deepwater locations throughout the world, as the medium and large aircraft are able to travel to these deepwater locations. Small helicopters are generally used for shorter routes and to reach production facilities that cannot accommodate medium and large helicopters. Our small helicopters operate primarily over the shallow waters offshore the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Nigeria. Worldwide there are approximately 7,950 production platforms and 860 offshore rigs. We
are able to deploy our aircraft to the regions with the greatest demand, subject to the satisfaction of local governmental regulations. SAR operations utilize medium and large aircraft that are specially configured to conduct these types of operations in environments around the world. The commercial aircraft in our consolidated fleet are our primary source of revenue. To normalize the consolidated operating revenue of our fleet for the different revenue productivity and cost of our commercial aircraft, we developed a common weighted factor that combines large, medium and small aircraft into a combined standardized number of revenue producing commercial aircraft assets. We call this measure Large AirCraft Equivalent (“LACE”). Our commercial large, medium and small aircraft, including owned and leased, are weighted as 100%, 50%, and 25%, respectively, to arrive at a single LACE number, which excludes
Bristow Academy aircraft, fixed wing aircraft, unconsolidated affiliate aircraft, aircraft held for sale and aircraft construction in process. We divide our operating revenue from commercial contracts relating to these aircraft, which excludes operating revenue from affiliates and reimbursable revenue, by LACE to develop a LACE rate, which is a standardized rate.
There are also additional markets for helicopter services beyond the offshore energy industry and SAR, including agricultural support, air medical, tourism, firefighting, corporate transportation, traffic monitoring, police and military. The existence of these alternative markets enables us to better manage our helicopter fleet by providing potential purchasers for older aircraft and for our excess aircraft during times of reduced demand in the offshore energy industry. As part
of an ongoing process to rationalize and simplify our global fleet of helicopters, during fiscal year 2014 we implemented a plan to reduce the number of aircraft types in our fleet to eight model types in approximately five years and six model types in approximately ten years. During fiscal year 2014, we completed our exit from five model types and in fiscal year 2015 we completed our exit from four model types. As we modernize our fleet, the introduction of new technology aircraft types temporarily slows fleet type reduction. We have recently added two new fleet types, the AgustaWestland AW189 large aircraft and Sikorsky S-76D medium aircraft. This is the first time in six years that we have introduced a new aircraft type into our fleet. These aircraft and other new technology models will comprise our target service offering as we reduce the overall number of aircraft in our fleet in the upcoming years.
We position our business
to be the preferred provider of helicopter services by maintaining strong relationships with our clients and providing safe and high-quality service. In order to create further differentiation and add value to our clients, we focus on enhancing our value to our clients through the initiatives of “Target Zero Accidents”, “Target Zero Downtime” and “Target Zero Complaints” as we strive for “Operational Excellence” and deliver “Operational Transformation”. We maintain close relationships with our clients’ field operations, corporate management and contacts at governmental agencies which we believe help us better anticipate client needs and provide our clients with the right aircraft in the right place at the right time, which in turn allows us to better manage our fleet utilization and capital investment program. By better understanding and delivering on our clients’ needs with our global operations and safety standards, we believe we
effectively compete against other helicopter service providers based on aircraft availability, client service, safety and reliability, and not just price. We also leverage our close relationships with our industry peers to establish mutually beneficial operating practices and safety standards industry-wide. In October 2014, five major helicopter operators, including us, formally launched HeliOffshore. HeliOffshore intends to use cross-industry cooperation as a platform for enhancing the offshore helicopter industry’s overall strong safety records, sharing best practices, developing and applying advanced technology and encouraging common global flight standards.
In addition to our primary Helicopter Services operations, we also operate a training business unit, Bristow Academy, and provide technical services to clients in the U.S. and U.K. See “— Bristow Academy” and “— Technical Services” below for further discussion
of these operations. Additionally, over the past two years we have invested in fixed-wing operators in the U.K. and Australia to create a more integrated logistics solution for our global clients.
Most countries in which we operate limit foreign ownership of aviation companies. To comply with these regulations and at the same time expand internationally, we have formed or acquired interests in a number of foreign helicopter operators. These investments typically combine a local ownership interest with our experience in providing helicopter services to the offshore energy industry. These arrangements have allowed us to expand operations while diversifying the risks and reducing the capital outlays associated with independent expansion. We lease some of our aircraft to a number of unconsolidated affiliates, which in turn provide helicopter services to clients locally.
In fiscal year
2013, Bristow Helicopters was awarded a contract with the U.K. Department for Transport (“DfT”) to provide SAR services for all of the U.K. (the “U.K. SAR contract”). The U.K. SAR contract has a phased-in transition period that began in April 2015 and continues to July 2017 and a contract length of approximately ten years. Under the terms of this contract, Bristow Helicopters has agreed to provide helicopters that will be located at ten bases across the U.K. with two aircraft operating at each base. In addition
to the ten bases with 20 aircraft, the contract provides for two fully SAR-equipped training aircraft that can be deployed to any base as needed.
The SAR market is continuing to evolve and we believe further outsourcing of public SAR services to the private sector will continue, although the timing of these opportunities is uncertain. The clients for our SAR services include both the oil and gas industry, where our revenue is primarily dependent upon the client’s operating expenditures, and governmental agencies, where our revenue is dependent upon the country’s desire to privatize SAR and
enter into long-term contracts. Public SAR services include previously awarded work involving seven aircraft for the U.K. Gap SAR, five aircraft in Ireland, two aircraft in the Dutch Antilles, 18 additional aircraft for the U.K. SAR contract and four aircraft for the Falklands. We are also pursuing other public and oil and gas SAR opportunities for multiple aircraft in various areas including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greenland, the Mediterranean, Nigeria, Norway and Trinidad, and other countries that have indicated an interest in outsourcing SAR services.
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, we have made strategic investments and acquisitions including investment in new generations of aircraft that are in demand by our clients, and expanded
or increased investments in new markets and industries. These investments have included investments by consolidated affiliates in fixed-wing operators: Capiteq Limited, operating under the name of Airnorth, in Australia and Eastern Airways International Limited (“Eastern Airways”) in the U.K., both of which are being consolidated in our financial statements, and equity method investments in Cougar Helicopters Inc. (“Cougar”) in Canada and Líder Táxi Aéreo S.A. (“Líder”) in Brazil.
Also since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, we have raised $1.0 billion of capital in a mix of debt and equity with both public and private financings, generated gross proceeds of $116.4 million through the divestiture of non-core businesses (including the sale of our 50% interest in each of FBS Limited, FB Heliservices Limited and FB Leasing Limited, collectively referred to as the FB Entities, in fiscal year 2014 and the sale
of Helideck Certification Agency (“HCA”) in fiscal year 2015), generated proceeds of approximately $230 million through the sale of other aircraft and equipment to the helicopter aftermarket and received $1.1 billion from the sale and leaseback of 48 aircraft in fiscal years 2012 through 2015. Concurrently, we have invested approximately $2.3 billion in capital expenditures to grow our business.
While we plan to continue to be disciplined concerning future capital commitments, we also intend to continue managing our capital structure and liquidity position with external financings as needed. Our strategy will involve funding our short-term liquidity requirements with borrowings under our amended and restated revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which consists of a $400 million revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit
Facility”) and a $350 million term loan (“Term Loan”) (together referred to as our “Credit Facilities”), and funding our long-term financing needs, while maintaining a prudent capital structure, among the following alternatives: operating leases, bank debt or private and public debt and equity offerings.
Not only have we invested in the Company, we are also committed to returning capital to investors. Since fiscal year 2012, we have repurchased $184.8 million of shares through our share repurchase program and paid $131.7 million in dividends to deliver a more balanced return to our shareholders. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition — Our Strategy — Capital Allocation Strategy” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for additional details on our dividends and share buyback program.
Our
capital commitments in future periods related to fleet renewal are discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Cash Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report and are detailed in the table provided in that section.
Consistent with our growth strategy, we regularly engage in discussions with potential sellers and strategic partners regarding the possible purchase of assets, pursuit of joint ventures or other expansion opportunities that increase our position in existing markets or facilitate expansion into new markets. These potential expansion opportunities consist of both smaller transactions as well as larger transactions that could have a material impact on our financial position, cash flow and results of operations. We cannot predict the likelihood of completing, or the timing of, any such transactions.
As of March 31, 2015, the aircraft in our fleet, the aircraft which we expect to take delivery of in the future and the aircraft which we have the option to acquire were as follows:
Number
of Aircraft
Consolidated Affiliates
Unconsolidated
Affiliates (3)
Operating
Aircraft
Type
Owned
Aircraft
Leased
Aircraft
Aircraft
Held For
Sale
On
Order (1)
Under
Option (2)
In
Fleet
Maximum
Passenger
Capacity
Large Helicopters:
AS332L
Super Puma
4
—
—
—
—
—
18
AW189
4
—
—
13
3
—
16
H175
—
—
—
17
—
—
16
H225
15
11
—
1
5
—
19
Mil
Mi-8
7
—
—
—
—
—
20
Sikorsky
S-61N
—
—
2
—
—
—
25
Sikorsky
S-92A
30
39
—
6
8
9
19
60
50
2
37
16
9
Medium
Helicopters:
AW139
15
11
—
1
1
2
12
Bell
212
—
—
—
—
—
14
12
Bell
412
14
—
7
—
—
19
13
H155
1
—
—
—
—
—
13
Sikorsky
S-76A
—
—
—
—
—
5
12
Sikorsky
S-76 C/C++
41
10
—
—
—
34
12
Sikorsky
S-76D (4)
—
—
3
7
13
—
12
71
21
10
8
14
74
Small
Helicopters:
AW109
—
—
—
—
—
1
6
AS350BB
—
—
—
—
—
2
4
Bell
206B
—
1
—
—
—
2
4
Bell
206L Series
5
—
—
—
—
6
6
Bell
407
32
—
—
—
—
—
6
BK-117
—
2
—
—
—
—
7
H135
—
—
—
—
—
3
6
37
3
—
—
—
14
Training
Aircraft:
AW109
—
2
—
—
—
—
4
AS355
—
2
—
—
—
—
5
Bell
206B
1
11
—
—
—
—
4
Robinson
R22
—
6
—
—
—
—
2
Robinson
R44
—
7
—
—
—
—
4
Sikorsky
S-300CBi
41
—
—
—
—
—
2
Fixed
wing
1
—
—
—
—
—
43
28
—
—
—
—
Fixed
wing (5)
29
17
—
—
—
33
Total
240
119
12
45
30
130
_______________
(1)
Signed
client contracts are currently in place that will utilize 13 of these aircraft. Seventeen aircraft on order expected to enter service between fiscal years 2017 and 2020 are subject to the successful development and certification of the aircraft. For additional information, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity — Future Capital Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Represents
aircraft which we have the option to acquire. If the options are exercised, the agreements provide that aircraft would be delivered over fiscal years 2016 through 2018. For additional information, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity — Future Capital Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
(3)
Includes 59 helicopters (primarily medium) and 26 fixed wing aircraft owned and managed by Líder, our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil.
(4)
We
entered into an agreement in April 2015 to sell these three owned prototype aircraft and purchase fully developed/non-prototype aircraft.
(5)
In February 2014, Bristow Helicopters acquired a 60% interest in Eastern Airways. Eastern Airways operates a total of 30 fixed wing aircraft which are included in our Europe business unit. Additionally, in January 2015, Bristow Helicopters Australia acquired an 85% interest in Airnorth. Airnorth operates a total of 13 fixed wing aircraft, which are included in our Australia business unit.
The following table presents the distribution of our operating revenue for fiscal year 2015
and aircraft as of March 31, 2015 among our business units.
Aircraft
in Consolidated Fleet(1)(2)
Operating
Revenue for
Fiscal Year
2015
Helicopters
Small
Medium
Large
Training
Fixed
Wing
Total
Unconsolidated
Affiliates
(3)
Total
Europe
45
%
—
12
67
—
30
109
—
109
West
Africa
18
%
9
30
4
—
3
46
—
46
North
America
14
%
29
23
16
—
—
68
—
68
Australia
12
%
2
8
17
—
13
40
—
40
Other
International
8
%
—
29
8
—
—
37
130
167
Corporate
and other
3
%
—
—
—
71
—
71
—
71
Total
100
%
40
102
112
71
46
371
130
501
_________
(1)
Includes
12 aircraft held for sale and 119 leased aircraft as follows:
Held
for Sale Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet
Helicopters
Small
Medium
Large
Training
Fixed
Wing
Total
Europe
—
—
2
—
—
2
West
Africa
—
3
—
—
—
3
North
America
—
3
—
—
—
3
Australia
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other
International
—
4
—
—
—
4
Corporate
and other
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total
—
10
2
—
—
12
Leased
Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet
Helicopters
Small
Medium
Large
Training
Fixed
Wing
Total
Europe
—
5
36
—
13
54
West
Africa
—
1
1
—
—
2
North
America
1
13
5
—
—
19
Australia
2
2
8
—
4
16
Other
International
—
—
—
—
—
—
Corporate
and other
—
—
—
28
—
28
Total
3
21
50
28
17
119
(2)
The
average age of our fleet, excluding fixed wing and training aircraft, was nine years as of March 31, 2015.
(3)
The 130 aircraft operated by our unconsolidated affiliates do not include those aircraft leased from us.
The
following table presents the distribution of LACE aircraft owned and leased, and the percentage of LACE leased as of March 31, 2015. The percentage of LACE leased is calculated by taking the total LACE for leased aircraft divided by the total LACE for all aircraft we operate, including both owned and leased aircraft.
LACE
Percentage
of LACE Leased
Owned Aircraft
Leased Aircraft
Europe
33
39
54
%
West
Africa
18
2
8
%
North America
22
12
35
%
Australia
12
10
44
%
Other
International
21
—
—
%
Total
105
61
37
%
Business
Unit Operations
Europe
We operated our Europe business unit from seven bases in the U.K. and four bases in Norway. Our Europe operations are managed from our facilities in Aberdeen, Scotland. Based on the number of aircraft operating, we are one of the largest providers of helicopter services in the North Sea, where there are harsh weather conditions and geographically concentrated offshore facilities. The offshore facilities in the Northern North Sea and Norwegian North Sea are large and require frequent crew change flight services. In the Southern North Sea, the facilities are generally smaller with some unmanned platforms requiring shuttle operations to up-man in the morning and down-man in the evening. We deploy the majority of the large aircraft in our consolidated fleet in Europe. Our clients in this business unit are primarily major integrated and independent offshore energy
companies. We provide commercial SAR services for a number of oil and gas companies operating in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. We also provide SAR services for North Scotland using four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters based in the Scottish locations of Stornoway and Sumburgh. In fiscal year 2013, Bristow Helicopters was awarded the U.K. SAR contract to provide SAR services for all of the U.K. The U.K. SAR contract has a phased-in transition period that began in April 2015 and continues to July 2017. Our Europe operations are subject to seasonality as drilling activity is lower during the winter months due to harsh weather and shorter days.
Bristow Helicopters owns a 60% interest in Eastern Airways, a regional fixed wing operator based in the U.K.
Eastern Airways has 730 employees and its operations focus on providing scheduled and charter services targeting U.K. oil and gas transport. Eastern Airways operates 30 fixed wing aircraft. We believe our investment in Eastern Airways strengthens our ability to provide a complete suite of point to point transportation services for existing European based passengers, expand helicopter services in certain areas like the Shetland Islands and create a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
As of March 31,
2015, all of the aircraft in our West Africa business unit operated in Nigeria, where we are the largest provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry. We deploy a combination of small, medium and large aircraft in Nigeria and service a client base comprised mostly of major integrated offshore energy companies. We have six operational bases, with the largest bases located in Escravos, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Eket. The marketplace for our services had historically been concentrated predominantly in the oil rich swamp and shallow waters of the Niger Delta area. More recently we have been undertaking work further offshore in support of deepwater exploration. Operations in West Africa are subject to seasonality as the Harmattan, a dry and dusty trade wind, blows between the end of November and the middle of March. At times when the heavy amount of dust in the air severely limits visibility, our aircraft are unable to operate.
North
America
We operated our North America business unit from six operating facilities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. We are one of the largest suppliers of helicopter services in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Our clients in this business unit are mostly independent and major integrated offshore energy companies. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico is a major offshore energy producing region with approximately 2,600 production platforms and 110 drilling rigs. The shallow water platforms are typically unmanned and are serviced by small aircraft. The deepwater platforms are serviced by medium and large aircraft. Among our strengths in this region, in addition to our operating facilities, are our advanced flight-following systems and our widespread and strategically located offshore fuel stations. Operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are subject to seasonality as the months of December through March typically have more days of harsh weather conditions
than the other months of the year. Additionally, during the months of June through November, tropical storms and hurricanes may reduce activity as we are unable to operate in the area of the storm.
We own a 40% economic interest in Cougar, the largest offshore energy and SAR helicopter service provider in Atlantic Canada. Cougar has approximately 280 employees and its operations are primarily focused on serving the offshore oil and gas industry off Canada’s Atlantic coast. We leased nine large helicopters and three shore-based facilities to Cougar as of March 31, 2015, including state-of-the-art helicopter passenger, maintenance and SAR facilities located in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Australia
We are the largest provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry in Australia,
where we have five bases located in Western Australia, three in Victoria, one in Northern Territory and one in Queensland. These operations are managed from our Australian head office facility in Perth, Western Australia. Our operating bases are located in the vicinity of the major offshore energy exploration and production fields in the North West Shelf, Browse and Carnarvon basins of Western Australia and the Bass Straits in Victoria, where our fleet provides helicopter services solely to offshore energy operators. We also provide airport management services on Barrow Island in Western Australia. Our clients in Australia are primarily major integrated offshore energy companies. We provide SAR and medical evacuation services to the oil and gas industry in Australia and engineering support to the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (the “RSAF”) fleet of helicopters at their base in Oakey, Queensland. The RSAF contract
has been re-awarded to Bristow Australia following a competitive tender for five additional years with a five-year option. In early fiscal year 2015 we announced that we had won a contract in Australia for three large aircraft operating over 24 months beginning January 2016 operated out of Ceduna in South Australia.
Bristow Helicopters Australia owns an 85% interest in Airnorth, a regional fixed wing operator based in Darwin, North Territory, Australia. Airnorth has 250 employees and its operations focus on providing both charter and scheduled services targeting the energy and mining industries in Northern and Western Australia as well as international services to Dili, Timor-Leste. Airnorth operates 13 fixed wing aircraft. We believe this investment strengthens our ability to provide point to point transportation services for existing
Australian based passengers, expand helicopter services in certain areas in Southeast Asian markets and create a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
As of March 31, 2015, we conducted our Other International business unit operations in Brazil, Egypt, Malaysia, Russia, Tanzania, Trinidad, and Turkmenistan, and we and our unconsolidated affiliates operated a mixture of small, medium, and large aircraft in these markets. While we have a diverse client base in this business unit, a large majority of revenue is generated from monthly fixed charges for
long term exploration or production related work. The following is a description of operations in our Other International business unit as of March 31, 2015.
•
Brazil – We own a 41.9% economic interest in Líder, the largest provider of helicopter and corporate aviation services in Brazil. Líder has five primary operating units: helicopter service, maintenance, chartering, ground handling and aircraft sales, and provides commercial SAR and medical evacuation services to the oil and gas industry. Líder’s fleet includes 59 rotor wing and 26 fixed wing aircraft (including owned and
managed aircraft). Líder’s management has introduced large helicopters into their operational portfolio allowing them to gain competence and positioning them for the anticipated growth associated with Brazil’s pre-salt fields. Líder also has a vast network of over 20 bases distributed strategically in Brazil including locations in Macae, Rio de Janiero, Sao Tome, Urucu and Vitória. We currently lease seven medium and one large aircraft to Líder.
•
Egypt – We own a 25% interest in Petroleum Air Services (“PAS”), an Egyptian corporation which provides helicopter and fixed wing transportation to the offshore energy industry. Additionally, spare fixed wing capacity is chartered to tourism operators. PAS operates 38 helicopters and seven fixed
wing aircraft from multiple locations. The remaining 75% interest in PAS is owned by the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation.
•
Malaysia – We provide technical support to an alliance partner operating medium and large helicopters in support of domestic offshore energy companies.
•
Russia – We operate seven large aircraft from three locations on Sakhalin Island, where we provide helicopter services to international and domestic offshore energy companies and operate a local SAR service.
•
Tanzania
– We lease three medium aircraft, including two oil and gas and one limited SAR aircraft, to an alliance partner in Tanzania which operates out of Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam.
•
Trinidad – We operate 11 medium aircraft that are used to service our clients who are primarily engaged in offshore energy activities. We operate from a base located at Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport. Also, we provide certain engineering, training and operational support services to the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard.
•
Turkmenistan
– We operate one medium aircraft through our 51% interest in Turkmenistan Helicopters Limited, a Turkmenistan corporation that provides helicopter services to an international offshore energy company from a single location.
Bristow Academy
Bristow Academy is a leading provider of helicopter training services with over 25 years of operating history and training facilities in Titusville, Florida; New Iberia, Louisiana; Carson City, Nevada, and Gloucestershire, England. Bristow Academy trains students from around the world to become helicopter pilots and is approved to provide helicopter flight training at the commercial pilot and flight instructor level by both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (the “EASA”). Bristow Academy operates 71 aircraft (including 43 owned, 28
leased aircraft) and employs approximately 180 people, including approximately 45 primary flight instructors. A significant part of Bristow Academy’s operations include military training, which generated approximately 44% of Bristow Academy’s operating revenue for fiscal year 2015.
Technical Services
The technical services portion of our business provides helicopter repair services and production support from facilities located in New Iberia, Louisiana; Redhill, England and Aberdeen, Scotland. While most of this work is performed on our own aircraft, some of these services are performed for third parties.
For additional information about our business units, see Note 11 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere
in this Annual Report. For a description of certain risks affecting our business and operations, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Effective April 1, 2015, we reorganized our global operations from five business units to four regions as follows: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe Caspian. The goal of these changes is to streamline and standardize our business, simplify our operating model, reduce costs and support consistent and faster response to clients globally. We believe the new structure will allow us
to respond to market opportunities faster and execute our growth strategy more efficiently.
The Africa region will comprise all our operations and affiliates on the African continent, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Egypt.
The Americas region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in North America and South America, including Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
The Asia Pacific region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in Australia and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Sakhalin.
The Europe Caspian region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in Europe and Central Asia, including Norway, the U.K. and Turkmenistan.
We will present our historical business unit operating results based on the new region
structure beginning with our Quarterly Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2015.
The principal clients for our helicopter services are major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. The following table presents our top ten clients in fiscal year 2015 and their percentage contribution to our consolidated gross revenue during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 and includes any clients accounting for 10% or more of our consolidated gross revenue during such
fiscal years.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
Client Name
2015
2014
2013
Chevron
11.7
%
13.2
%
13.1
%
ConocoPhillips
9.3
%
8.8
%
7.2
%
IAC
(1)
7.7
%
7.9
%
8.3
%
BP
7.7
%
6.5
%
8.1
%
Statoil
4.7
%
5.9
%
5.6
%
Talisman
Energy
4.1
%
5.6
%
3.6
%
Exxon Mobil
3.6
%
3.3
%
3.3
%
ENI
3.4
%
3.7
%
4.3
%
Cougar
(2)
3.3
%
3.8
%
2.0
%
U.K. Department for Transport
2.6
%
2.3
%
—
%
58.1
%
61.0
%
55.5
%
_____________
(1)
IAC is the Integrated Aviation Consortium in the U.K. North Sea and comprises six major oil companies: BP, CNR International, Fairfield Energy, Petrofac, Shell and TAQA.
(2)
As discussed above, we own a 40% economic interest in Cougar.
Our helicopter contracts are generally based on a two-tier
rate structure consisting of a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. For example, in the Europe business unit, the monthly standing charges generally average approximately 70% of revenue while variable charges generally average approximately 30% of revenue. We also provide services to clients on an “ad hoc” basis, which usually entails a shorter notice period and shorter contract duration. Our charges for ad hoc services are generally based on an hourly rate, or a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. Generally, our ad hoc services have a higher margin than our other helicopter contracts due to supply and demand dynamics.
Generally, our helicopter contracts
are cancelable by the client with a notice period ranging from 30 to 180 days and in some cases up to one year. In the North America business unit, we generally enter into short-term contracts for twelve months or less. Outside of North America, contracts are typically between two and five years in term. These long term contracts generally include escalation provisions allowing annual rate increases, which may be based on a fixed dollar or percentage increase, an increase in an agreed index or our actual substantiated increased costs, which we negotiate to pass along to clients. Cost reimbursements from
clients are recorded as reimbursable revenue with the related reimbursed cost recorded as reimbursable expense in our consolidated statements of income.
Generally, SAR services contracts include a monthly standing charge, which averages approximately 85% of the total contract revenue, and a monthly variable charge that covers flying, fuel and ancillary items, which averages approximately 15% of the total contract revenue. See further details on the U.K. SAR contract in “— Overview.”
Competition
The
helicopter transportation business is highly competitive throughout the world. We compete directly against multiple providers in almost all of our operating regions. We have several significant competitors in the North Sea, Nigeria, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Australia, and a number of smaller local competitors in other markets. In Nigeria, we have seen a recent increase in competitive pressure and new regulation that could impact our ability to win future work. Despite the new competition in Nigeria, we believe that it is difficult for additional significant competitors to enter our industry because it requires considerable capital investment, working capital, a complex system of onshore and offshore bases, personnel and operating experience. However, these requirements can be overcome with the appropriate level of client support and commitment. In addition, while not the predominant practice, certain of our clients and potential clients in the offshore energy industry
perform their own helicopter services on a limited basis.
In most situations, clients charter aircraft on the basis of competitive bidding. On limited occasions, our clients renew or extend existing contracts without employing a competitive bid process. Contracts are generally awarded based on a number of factors, including price, quality of service, operational experience, record of safety, quality and type of equipment, client relationship and professional reputation. Incumbent operators typically have a competitive advantage in the bidding process based on their relationship with the client, knowledge of the site characteristics and existing facilities to support the operations. Because certain of our clients in the offshore energy industry have
the capability to perform their own helicopter services, our ability to increase charter rates may be limited under certain circumstances.
Code of Business Integrity
We have adopted a Code of Business Integrity (our “Code”) that applies to Bristow Group Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, affiliates and controlled joint ventures, including all directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees thereof. Our Code covers topics including, but not limited to, anti-corruption, conflicts of interest, insider trading, competition and fair dealing, discrimination and harassment, confidentiality, compliance procedures and employee complaint procedures.
Our Code is posted on our website, http://www.bristowgroup.com, under the “About Us” and “Vision, Mission, Values” caption. We will disclose any amendment to the Code or waiver with respect to our senior officers on our website or, alternatively, through the filing of a Form 8-K.
Safety, Industry Hazards and Insurance
Hazards such as severe weather and mechanical failures are inherent in the transportation industry and may result in the loss of equipment and revenue. It is
possible that personal injuries and fatalities may occur. We believe our air accident rate per 100,000 flight hours, which has historically been more than ten times lower than the reported global offshore energy production helicopter average data, indicates that we have consistently performed better than the industry average with respect to safety. In fiscal year 2013, an aircraft operated by one of our U.S. subsidiaries was involved in an accident in which the pilot was fatally injured. There were no passengers on board. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we had no accidents that resulted in fatalities.
Our well established global safety program called “Target Zero” focuses on improved safety performance. Our safety vision is to have zero accidents, zero harm to people, and zero harm
to the environment. The key components to achieving this are to improve safety culture and individual behaviors, increase the level of safety reporting by the frontline employees, increase accountability for addressing identified hazards by the operational managers and provide for independent oversight of the operational safety programs. See discussion of Target Zero in “– Overview.”
We maintain hull and liability insurance which generally insures us against damage to our aircraft and the related liabilities which may be incurred as a result. We also carry insurance for war risk, expropriation and confiscation of the aircraft we use in certain of our international operations. Further, we carry various other liability and property insurance, including workers’ compensation, general liability, employers’ liability, auto liability, and property and casualty coverage. We believe
that our insurance program is adequate to cover any claims ultimately incurred related to property damage and liability events.
As of March 31, 2015, we employed 5,232 employees. Many of our employees are represented under collective bargaining agreements. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are generally satisfactory.
The
following table sets forth our main employee groups and status of the collective bargaining agreements:
Agreement expired in March 2015. Currently in negotiations.
150
Bristow Norway
Engineers
Norsk Helikopteransattes Forbund (“NU of HE”)/BNTF
Local agreement expired in September 2014 and national agreement expired in March 2014. Local and national negotiations are currently ongoing.
110
Nigeria Junior and Senior Staff
National Union of Air Transport Employees; Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
Agreements
expired in April 2011. Currently in negotiations.
60
Nigeria Pilots and Engineers
Nigerian Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers
We recognize this union for representation purposes, but there is no formal commitment to negotiate remuneration.
170
North America Pilots
Office
and Professional Employees International Union (“OPEIU”)
Amendable March 26, 2015. Negotiations currently ongoing.
190
Gulf of Mexico Mechanics
OPEIU
Agreement expires in April 2017.
230
Australia
Pilots
Australian Federation of Air Pilots
Agreement expires in December 2015.
130
Australia Engineers and BDI Tradesmen and Staff
Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (“ALAEA”), Australian Manufacturing Union (“AMWU”) and elected employee representatives
Agreement
for BDI tradesmen and staff expires in March 2017. Agreement for Australia engineers expired March 2015. Currently in negotiations.
210
Trinidad Mechanics
Fitters/Handlers
Agreements expire in May and June 2016.
60
Airnorth Pilots
Aircrew
Logistics Pilots Group
Agreement expires in June 2015.
60
Airnorth Engineers
Aircraft Logistics Engineers Group
Agreement expires in June 2015.
40
Barrow Island Aerodome Staff
Transport
Workers Union
Agreements expire in May 2015. Currently in negotiations.
40
Líder, our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil, employs approximately 1,920 employees and Cougar, our unconsolidated affiliate in Canada, employs approximately 280 employees.
As a commercial operator of aircraft, our U.S. operations are subject to regulations under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, and other laws. We carry persons and property in our helicopters under an Air Taxi Certificate granted by the FAA. The FAA regulates our U.S. flight operations and, in this respect, exercises jurisdiction over personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and certain technical aspects of our operations. The National Transportation Safety Board is authorized to investigate aircraft accidents and to recommend improved safety standards. Our U.S. operations are also subject to the Federal Communications Act of 1934 because we use radio facilities in our operations.
Under the Federal Aviation Act, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.S. unless such aircraft are registered with the FAA and the FAA has issued an operating certificate
to the operator. As a general rule, aircraft may be registered under the Federal Aviation Act only if the aircraft are owned or controlled by one or more citizens of the U.S. and an operating certificate may be granted only to a citizen of the U.S. For purposes of these requirements, a corporation is deemed to be a citizen of the U.S. only if at least 75% of its voting interests are owned or controlled by U.S. citizens, the president of the company is a U.S. citizen, two-thirds or more of the directors are U.S. citizens and the company is under the actual control of U.S. citizens. If persons other than U.S. citizens should come to own or control more than 25% of our voting interest or if any of the other requirements are not met, we have been advised that our aircraft may be subject to deregistration under
the Federal Aviation Act, and we may lose our ability to operate within the U.S. Deregistration of our aircraft for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct certain operations within our North America and Bristow Academy business units. Therefore, our organizational documents currently provide for the automatic suspension of voting rights of shares of our outstanding voting capital stock owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens, and our right to redeem those shares, to the extent necessary to comply with these requirements. As of March 31, 2015, approximately 2,752,000 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), were held of record by persons with foreign addresses. These shares represented approximately 8% of our total outstanding Common Stock as
of March 31, 2015. Our foreign ownership may fluctuate on each trading day because our Common Stock and our 3% convertible Senior Notes due 2038 (“3% Convertible Senior Notes”) are publicly traded.
Also, we are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”), which generally prohibits us and our intermediaries from making corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business.
Additionally, we are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) that control the export and import of defense-related articles, services and technical data. ITAR dictates that information and material pertaining to defense and military related technologies may only be shared with U.S. persons or organizations unless
authorization from the U.S. State Department is received or a special exemption is used. We are also subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) that control the export of commercial and “dual use” goods. U.S. persons or organizations may incur heavy fines if they violate ITAR or the EAR.
United Kingdom
Our operations in the U.K. are subject to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and other similar English and European Union statutes and regulations. We carry persons and property in our aircraft pursuant to an operating license issued by the CAA. The holder of an operating license must meet the ownership and control requirements of Council Regulation 2407/92. To operate under this license, the company through which we conduct operations in the U.K., Bristow Helicopters, must be owned
directly or through majority ownership by European Union nationals, and must at all times be effectively controlled by them. To comply with these restrictions, we own only 49% of the ordinary shares of Bristow Aviation, the entity that owns Bristow Helicopters. In addition, we have a put/call agreement with the other two stockholders of Bristow Aviation which grants us the right to buy all of their Bristow Aviation ordinary shares (and grants them the right to require us to buy all of their shares). Under English law, to maintain Bristow Helicopters’ operating license, we would be required to find a qualified European Union owner to acquire any of the Bristow Aviation shares that we have the right or obligation to acquire under the put/call agreement. In addition to our equity investment in Bristow Aviation, we own deferred stock, essentially a subordinated class of stock with no voting rights, and hold subordinated debt issued by Bristow Aviation.
The CAA regulates our U.K. flight operations and exercises jurisdiction over personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and certain technical aspects of those operations. The CAA often imposes improved safety standards. Under the Licensing of Air Carriers Regulations 1992, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.K. unless such aircraft are approved by the CAA. Changes in U.K. or European Union statutes or regulations, administrative requirements or their interpretation may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or on our ability to continue operations in the U.K.
Also, we are subject to the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (the “U.K. Bribery Act”), which creates criminal offenses for bribery and failing to prevent bribery.
Additionally, we are subject to the U.K. and
E.U. Dual-Use Export Regulations. Dual use goods are products and technologies which have both civilian and military applications. U.K. and E.U. regulations may require export authorization for certain exports of dual use items.
Nigeria
Our operations in Nigeria are subject to the Nigerian Content Development Act 2010, which requires that oil and gas contracts be awarded to a company that is seen or perceived to have more “local content” than a “Foreign” competitor. Additionally, the Nigerian Content Development Act allows the monitoring board to penalize companies that do not meet these local content requirements up to 5% of the value of the contract. Also, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
has commenced the re-certification of all operators (aircraft operating companies (“AOCs”) and aircraft maintenance organizations (“AMOs”)) in accordance with the new Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations. The regulations require that AOCs and AMOs be separate, independent organizations with independent accountable managers. Accordingly, in order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have made a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. It is intended that these changes should enable us to continue to be a successful and critical part of the Nigerian offshore energy and aviation industries.
Other
Our operations in other markets are subject to local governmental regulations that may limit foreign ownership of aviation companies. Because of these local regulations, we conduct some
of our operations through entities in which citizens of such countries own a majority interest and we hold a noncontrolling interest, or under contracts which provide that we operate assets for the local companies and conduct their flight operations. Such contracts are used for our operations in Russia and Turkmenistan. Changes in local laws, regulations or administrative requirements or their interpretation may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition or on our ability to continue operations in these areas.
Environmental
Our operations are subject to laws and regulations controlling the discharge of materials into
the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment. If we fail to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, administrative, civil and criminal penalties may be imposed, and we may become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. We may also be subject to civil claims arising out of a pollution event. These laws and regulations may expose us to strict, joint and several liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for our own acts even though these actions were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Increased public awareness and concern over the environment may result in future changes in the regulation of the offshore energy industry, which in turn
could adversely affect us. The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment and there can be no assurance as to the effect of such regulation on our operations or on the operations of our clients. We try to anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and plan accordingly to remain in compliance with changing environmental laws and regulations and to minimize the cost of such compliance. We do not believe that compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. We cannot be certain, however, that future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development or discovery of new facts or conditions will not cause us to incur significant costs. Below is a discussion of the material U.S. environmental laws and regulations
that relate to our business. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all of these environmental laws and regulations.
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, referred to as CERCLA or the Superfund law, and related state laws and regulations, strict, joint and several liability can be imposed without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the owner and operator of a contaminated site where a hazardous substance release occurred and any company that transported, disposed of or arranged
for the transport or disposal of hazardous substances, even from inactive operations or closed facilities that have been released into the environment. In addition, neighboring landowners or other third parties may file claims for personal injury, property damage and recovery of response cost. We currently own, lease, or operate properties and facilities that, in some cases, have been used for industrial activities for many years. Hazardous substances, wastes, or hydrocarbons may have been released on or under the properties owned or leased by us, or on or under other locations where such substances have been taken for disposal. In addition, some of these properties have been operated by third parties or by previous owners whose treatment and disposal or release of hazardous substances, wastes, or hydrocarbons was not under our control. These properties and the substances disposed or released on them may be subject to CERCLA and analogous state statutes. Under such laws,
we could be required to remove previously disposed substances and wastes, remediate contaminated property, or perform remedial activities to prevent future contamination. These laws and regulations may also expose us to liability for our acts that were in compliance with applicable laws at the time the acts were performed. We have been named as a potentially responsible party in connection with certain sites. See further discussion under Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
In addition, since our operations generate wastes, including some hazardous wastes, we may be subject to the provisions of the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and analogous state laws that limit the approved methods of disposal for some types of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and require owners and operators of facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste and to clean up releases
of hazardous waste constituents into the environment associated with their operations. Some wastes handled by us that currently are exempt from treatment as hazardous wastes may in the future be designated as “hazardous wastes” under RCRA or other applicable statutes. If this were to occur, we would become subject to more rigorous and costly operating and disposal requirements.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into state waters or waters of the U.S. The discharge of pollutants into jurisdictional waters is prohibited unless the discharge is permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also referred to as the EPA, or applicable state agencies. Some of our properties and operations require permits for discharges of wastewater and/or stormwater, and we have a system
in place for securing and maintaining these permits. In addition, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 imposes a variety of requirements on responsible parties related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages, including natural resource damages, resulting from such spills in the waters of the U.S. A responsible party includes the owner or operator of a facility. The Clean Water Act and analogous state laws provide for administrative, civil and criminal penalties for unauthorized discharges and, together with the Oil Pollution Act, impose rigorous requirements for spill prevention and response planning, as well as substantial potential liability for the cost of removal, remediation, and damages in connection with any unauthorized discharges.
Some of our operations also result in emissions of regulated air pollutants. The Federal Clean Air Act and analogous state laws require permits for facilities that have the potential
to emit substances into the atmosphere that could adversely affect environmental quality. Failure to obtain a permit or to comply with permit requirements could result in the imposition of substantial administrative, civil and even criminal penalties.
Our facilities and operations are also governed by laws and regulations relating to worker health and workplace safety, including the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA. We believe that appropriate precautions are taken to protect our employees and others from harmful exposure to potentially hazardous materials handled and managed at our facilities, and that we operate in substantial compliance with all OSHA or similar regulations.
In addition, we could be affected by future laws or regulations imposed in response to concerns over climate change. Changes in climate change concerns, or in the regulation of such concerns,
including greenhouse gas emissions, could subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including compliance costs and increased energy and raw materials costs.
Our operations outside of the U.S. are subject to similar foreign governmental controls relating to protection of the environment. We believe that, to date, our operations outside of the U.S. have been in substantial compliance with existing requirements of these foreign governmental bodies and that such compliance has not had a material adverse effect on our operations. There is no assurance, however, that future expenditures to maintain compliance will not become material.
If you hold our securities or are considering an investment in our securities, you should carefully consider the following risks, together with the other information contained in this Annual Report.
The demand for our services is substantially dependent on the level of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity.
We provide helicopter and fixed wing services to companies engaged in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activities. As a result, demand for our services, as well as our revenue and our profitability,
are substantially dependent on the worldwide levels of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production. These activity levels are principally affected by trends in, and expectations regarding, oil and natural gas prices, as well as the capital expenditure budgets of offshore energy companies. We cannot predict future exploration, development and production activity or oil and gas price movements. Historically, the prices for oil and gas and activity levels have been volatile and are subject to factors beyond our control, such as:
•
the supply of and demand for oil and gas and market expectations for such supply and demand;
•
actions
of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producing countries to control prices or change production levels;
•
general economic conditions, both worldwide and in particular regions;
•
governmental regulation;
•
the price and availability of alternative fuels;
•
weather
conditions, including the impact of hurricanes and other weather-related phenomena;
•
advances in exploration, development and production technology;
•
the policies of various governments regarding exploration and development of their oil and gas reserves; and
•
the worldwide political environment,
including uncertainty or instability resulting from an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities or other crises in the Middle East, Nigeria or other geographic areas, or further acts of terrorism in the U.K., U.S. or elsewhere.
Additionally, an increase in onshore fracking, which generally does not require use of our services, could have an adverse effect on our operations. If onshore fracking were to meaningfully increase in the international markets in which we operate, and if it were to drive a meaningful increase in the supply of hydrocarbons available to the markets we serve, it could potentially adversely impact the level of activity in our offshore oil and gas markets and the demand for our helicopter services.
The implementation by our clients of cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services.
Offshore
energy companies are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at greater cost savings, including efforts to improve cost efficiencies with respect to air transportation services. For example, these companies may reduce staffing levels on both old and new installations by using new technology to permit unmanned installations, may reduce the frequency of transportation of employees by increasing the length of shifts offshore, may change other aspects of how our services are scheduled and may consider other alternatives to our services to achieve cost savings. In addition, these companies could initiate their own helicopter, airplane or other transportation alternatives. The continued implementation of these kinds of measures could reduce the demand or pricing for our services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our industry is highly competitive and cyclical,
with intense price competition.
The helicopter and the fixed wing businesses are highly competitive throughout the world. Chartering of such aircraft is often done on the basis of competitive bidding among those providers having the necessary equipment, operational experience and resources. Factors that affect competition in our industry include price, quality of service, operational experience, record of safety, quality and type of equipment, client relationship and professional reputation.
Our industry has historically been cyclical and is affected by the volatility
of oil and gas price levels. There have been periods of high demand for our services, followed by periods of low demand for our services. Changes in commodity prices can have a significant effect on demand for our services, and periods of low activity intensify price competition in the industry and often result in our aircraft being idle for long periods of time.
We have several significant competitors in the North Sea, Nigeria, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Australia, Canada and Brazil, and a number of smaller local competitors in other markets. Certain of our clients have the capability to perform their own air transportation operations or find new competitors should they elect to do so, which has a limiting effect on our rates.
As a result of significant competition, we must continue to provide safe and efficient service or we will lose market share which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations due to the loss of a significant number of our clients or termination of a significant number of our contracts. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Competition” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
We depend on a small number of large offshore energy industry clients for a significant portion of our revenue.
We derive a significant amount of our revenue from a small number of offshore energy companies. Our loss of one of these significant clients, if not offset by sales to new or other existing clients, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Clients and Contracts”
included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Our contracts often can be terminated or downsized by our clients without penalty.
Many of our fixed-term contracts contain provisions permitting early termination by the client at their convenience, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, many of our contracts permit our clients to decrease the number of aircraft under contract with a corresponding decrease in the fixed monthly payments without penalty. As a result, you should not place undue reliance
on the strength of our client contracts or the terms of those contracts.
Our U.K. SAR contract can be terminated and is subject to certain other rights of the U.K. Department for Transport.
The U.K. SAR contract allows the DfT to cancel the contract for any reason upon notice and payment of a specified cancellation fee based on the number of bases reduced as a result of the exercise and the timing of the exercise. Additionally, the U.K. SAR
contract grants the DfT the option to require us to transfer to the DfT, at termination or expiration, either the lease or the ownership of some or all of the helicopters that service the U.K. SAR contract. The DfT may alternatively require that we or the owner, as the case may be, transfer the lease or ownership of the helicopters to any replacement service provider. If the DfT wishes to transfer ownership it must pay a specified option exercise fee based on the value of the helicopters. If the DfT wishes to transfer the lease it does not have to pay an option exercise fee. We currently lease all of the aircraft that service the U.K. SAR contract. Therefore, although we are entitled to some compensation
for termination or early expiration if we are not at fault, termination or early expiration of the U.K. SAR contract would result in a significant loss of expected revenue. Additionally, we do not have the right to transfer the ground facilities supporting the U.K. SAR contract to the replacement service provider. If alternative long-term uses were not identified for these facilities, we could incur recurring fixed expenses for these recently acquired, non-revenue producing assets if we were unable to sell them to a replacement contractor or other party in the event the U.K. SAR contract is terminated.
Our clients may shift risk to us.
We
give to and receive from our clients indemnities relating to damages caused or sustained by us in connection with our operations. Our clients’ changing views on risk allocation together with deteriorating market conditions could force us to accept greater risk to win new business, retain renewing business or could result in us losing business if we are not prepared to take such risks. To the extent that we accept such additional risk, and seek to insure against it, if possible, our insurance premiums could rise. If we cannot insure against such risks or otherwise choose not to do so, we could be exposed to catastrophic losses in the event such risks are realized.
We may not be able to obtain client contracts with acceptable terms covering some of our new helicopters, and some of our new helicopters may replace existing helicopters already
under contract, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.
We have ordered, and have options for, a substantial number of new helicopters. Many of our new helicopters may not be covered by client contracts when they are delivered to us, and we cannot assure you as to when we will be able to utilize these new helicopters or on what terms. To the extent our helicopters are covered by a client contract when they are delivered to us, some of these contracts may be for a short term, requiring us to seek renewals more frequently. Alternatively, we expect
that some
of our clients may request new helicopters in lieu of our existing helicopters, which could adversely affect the utilization of our existing fleet.
Reductions in spending on helicopter services by government agencies could lead to modifications of SAR contract terms or delays in receiving payments, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We were awarded a government contract
to provide SAR services for all of the U.K. which commenced in April 2015. Any reductions in the budgets of government agencies for spending on helicopter services, implementation of cost saving measures by government agencies, imposed modifications of contract terms or delays in collecting receivables owed to us by our government agency clients could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, there are inherent risks in contracting with government agencies. Applicable laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate may enable our government agency clients to (i) terminate contracts for convenience, (ii) reduce, modify or cancel contracts
or subcontracts if requirements or budgetary constraints change, or (iii) terminate contracts or adjust their terms.
Our fixed operating expenses and long-term contracts with clients could adversely affect our business under certain circumstances.
Our profitability is directly related to demand for our services. Because of the significant expenses related to aircraft financing and leasing, crew wages and benefits, insurance and maintenance programs, a substantial portion of our operating expenses are fixed and must be paid even when aircraft are not actively servicing clients and thereby generating income. A decrease in our revenue could therefore result in a disproportionate decrease in our earnings, as
a substantial portion of our operating expense would remain unchanged. Similarly, the discontinuation of any rebates, discounts or preferential financing terms offered to us by manufacturers, lenders or lessors would have the effect of increasing our related expenses, and without a corresponding increase in our revenue, would negatively impact our results of operations.
Our long-term aircraft services contracts contain price escalation terms and conditions. Although supplier costs, fuel costs, labor costs, insurance costs, and other cost increases are typically passed through to our clients through rate increases where possible, these escalations may not be sufficient to enable us to recoup increased costs in full and we may not be able to realize the full benefit of contract
price increase escalations during a market downturn. There can be no assurance that we will be able to estimate costs accurately or recover increased costs by passing these costs on to our clients. We may not be successful in identifying or securing cost escalations for other costs that may escalate during the applicable client contract term. In the event that we are unable to fully recover material costs that escalate during the terms of our client contracts, the profitability of our client contracts and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and negatively affected.
Additionally, cost increases related to our airline
scheduled service cannot be passed on to previously purchased air passenger tickets but may be passed on partially or wholly to future purchased tickets if the rates remain competitive to other competing airlines.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Our operations involve a degree of inherent risk that may not be covered by our insurance and may increase our operating costs.
The operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft inherently involves a degree of risk. Hazards such as harsh weather and marine conditions, mechanical failures, facility fires and spare parts damage, crashes and collisions are inherent in our business and may result in personal injury, loss of life, damage to property and equipment, suspension or reduction of operations, reduced number of flight hours and the grounding of such aircraft or insufficient ground facilities
or spare parts to support operations. In addition to any loss of property or life, our revenue, profitability and margins could be materially affected by an accident or asset damage.
We, or third parties operating our aircraft, may experience accidents or damage to our assets in the future. These risks could endanger the safety of both our own and our clients’ personnel, equipment, cargo and other property, as well as the environment. If any of these events were to occur with equipment or other assets that we need to operate or lease to third parties, we could experience loss of revenue, termination of charter contracts, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and client relationships. In addition, to the extent an accident occurs with aircraft we operate or to assets supporting operations, we could be held liable for resulting
damages. For example, in March 2014 one of our hangars in Nigeria experienced a fire, which resulted in damage to the hangar, two helicopters and a substantial portion of the inventory spare parts. Although the hangar, helicopters and inventory were covered by insurance, we incurred deductible and additional insurance premiums as a result of this fire. The lack of sufficient insurance for this incident or the occurrence of another such incident or accident could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Certain models of aircraft that we operate have also experienced accidents while
operated by third parties. For example, on October 22, 2012, an incident occurred with an Airbus Helicopters H225 Super Puma helicopter operated by another helicopter company, which resulted in a controlled ditching on the North Sea, south of the Shetland Isles, U.K. Following the ditching, all 19 passengers and crew were recovered safely and without injuries. This incident resulted in the CAAs in the U.K. and Norway issuing safety directives in October 2012, requiring operators to suspend operations of the affected aircraft and our cessation of operations a total of 16 large Airbus Helicopters aircraft for a period of time pending determination of the root cause of the gear shaft failure that resulted in the incident. If other operators experience accidents with aircraft models that we operate or lease, obligating us to take such aircraft out of service until the cause of
the accident is rectified, we would lose revenue and might lose clients. In addition, safety issues experienced by a particular model of aircraft could result in clients refusing to use that particular aircraft model or a regulatory body grounding that particular aircraft model. The value of the aircraft model might also be permanently reduced in the market if the model were to be considered less desirable for future service and the inventory for such aircraft may be impaired.
We attempt to protect ourselves against these losses and damage by carrying insurance, including hull and liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property and casualty insurance. Our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles and maximum coverage amounts, and we do not carry insurance against all types of losses, including business interruption. We cannot assure you that our existing coverage will be sufficient to protect against all
losses, that we will be able to maintain our existing coverage in the future or that the premiums will not increase substantially. In addition, future terrorist activity, risks of war, accidents or other events could increase our insurance premiums. The loss of our liability insurance coverage, inadequate coverage from our liability insurance or substantial increases in future premiums could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maintain standards of acceptable safety performance may have an adverse impact on our ability to attract and retain clients and could adversely impact our reputation, operations and financial performance.
Our clients consider safety and reliability as the two primary attributes when selecting a provider of air transportation services. If we fail to maintain standards of safety and reliability
that are satisfactory to our clients, our ability to retain current clients and attract new clients may be adversely affected. Accidents or disasters could impact client or passenger confidence in a particular fleet type, us or the air transportation services industry as a whole and could lead to a reduction in client contracts, particularly if such accidents or disasters were due to a safety fault in a type of aircraft used in our fleet. In addition, the loss of aircraft as a result of accidents could cause significant adverse publicity and the interruption of air services to our clients, which could adversely impact our reputation, operations and financial results. Our aircraft have been involved in accidents in the past, some of which have included loss of life and property damage. We may experience similar accidents in the future.
Our
operations in certain regions of the world are subject to additional risks.
During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 25%, 28% and 28%, respectively, of our gross revenue was attributable to helicopter services provided to clients operating in our West Africa and Other International business units. Operations in certain regions are subject to various risks inherent in conducting business in international locations, including:
•
political, social and economic instability, including risks of war, general strikes and civil disturbances;
•
physical
and economic retribution directed at U.S. companies and personnel;
•
governmental actions that restrict payments or the movement of funds or result in the deprivation of contract rights;
•
violations of our Code;
•
adverse
tax consequences;
•
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, hard currency shortages and controls on currency exchange that affect demand for our services and our profitability;
•
potential noncompliance with a wide variety of laws and regulations, such as the FCPA, and similar non-U.S. laws and regulations, including the U.K. Bribery Act and Brazil’s Clean Companies Act (the “BCCA”);
•
the
taking of property without fair compensation; and
•
the lack of well-developed legal systems in some countries that could make it difficult for us to enforce our contractual rights.
For example, there has been continuing political and social unrest in Nigeria, where we derived 18%, 20% and 20% of our gross revenue during fiscal years 2015,
2014 and 2013, respectively. A change in leadership with the recent Nigerian Presidential election could cause instability in the area resulting in a lack of demand for our services in Nigeria and safety risks for our operations and our people. In addition, the passage of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Bill could lead to further uncertainty in demand in the region. Future unrest or legislation in Nigeria or our other operating regions could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in those regions. We cannot predict whether any of these events will continue to occur in Nigeria or occur elsewhere in the future.
We also have a joint venture operating in Sakhalin that may be negatively impacted by any further civil unrest within, war related to, or sanctions against Russia.
We
are highly dependent upon the level of activity in the North Sea and to a lesser extent the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which are mature exploration and production regions.
In fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 58%, 55%, and 54%, respectively, of our gross revenue was derived from air transportation services provided to clients operating in the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico are mature exploration and production regions that have undergone substantial seismic survey and exploration activity for many years. Because a large number of oil and gas properties in these regions have already been drilled, additional prospects of sufficient size and quality could be more difficult to identify. The ability of our clients to produce sufficient
quantities to support the costs of exploration in different basins can impact the level of future activity in these regions. Generally, the production from these drilled oil and gas properties is declining. In the future, production may decline to the point that such properties are no longer economic to operate, in which case, our services with respect to such properties will no longer be needed. Oil and gas companies may not identify sufficient additional drilling sites to replace those that become depleted. In addition, the U.S. government’s exercise of authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, to restrict the availability of offshore oil and gas leases together with the U.K. government’s exercise of authority could adversely impact exploration and production activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the U.K. North Sea, respectively.
If activity in oil and gas exploration, development and production
in either the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or the North Sea materially declines, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict the levels of activity in these areas.
Foreign exchange risks and controls may affect our financial position and results of operations.
Through our operations outside the U.S., we are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under U.S. dollar-denominated contracts, which may reduce the demand for our services in foreign countries. Generally, we do not enter into hedging transactions to protect against foreign exchange risks related to our gross revenue or operating expense.
Because
we maintain our financial statements in U.S. dollars, our financial results are vulnerable to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, such as the British pound sterling, Australian dollar, euro, Nigerian naira and Norwegian kroner. In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar currencies to U.S. dollars. The effect of foreign currency translation is reflected as a component of stockholders’ investment, while foreign currency transaction gains or losses and translation of currency amounts not deemed permanently reinvested are credited or charged to income and reflected in other income (expense), net. Additionally, our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar exchange rate on results
for our affiliate in Brazil. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.
We operate in countries with foreign exchange controls including Brazil, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia and Turkmenistan. These controls may limit our ability to repatriate funds from our international operations and unconsolidated affiliates or otherwise convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. These limitations could adversely affect our ability to access cash from these operations.
See further discussion of foreign exchange risks and controls under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Our dependence on a small number of helicopter manufacturers and lessors poses a significant risk to our business and prospects, including our ability to execute our growth strategy.
We contract with a small number of manufacturers and lessors for most of our aircraft expansion replacement and leasing needs. If any of the manufacturers face production delays due to, for example, natural disasters, labor strikes or availability of skilled labor, we may experience a significant delay in the delivery of previously ordered aircraft. During these periods, we may not be able to obtain orders for additional aircraft with acceptable pricing, delivery dates or other terms. Also, we have operating leases for a growing number of our helicopters. The number of companies that provide
leasing for helicopters is limited. If any of these leasing companies face financial setbacks, we may experience delays or restrictions in our ability to lease aircraft. Delivery delays or our inability to obtain acceptable aircraft orders or lease aircraft would adversely affect our revenue and profitability and could jeopardize our ability to meet the demands of our clients and grow our business. Additionally, lack of availability of new aircraft resulting from a backlog in orders could result in an increase in prices for certain types of new and used helicopters.
If any of the helicopter manufacturers we contract with, the government bodies that regulate them or other parties identify safety issues with helicopter models we currently operate or that we intend to acquire, we may be required to suspend flight operations, as was done most
recently with the H225 referenced above. If we are forced to suspend operations of helicopter models, our business, financial condition and results of operations during any period in which flight operations are suspended could be affected.
A shortfall in availability of aircraft components and parts required for maintenance and repairs of our helicopter and fixed wing aircraft and supplier cost increases could adversely affect us.
In connection with the required maintenance and repairs performed on our aircraft in order for them to stay fully operational and available for use in our operations, we rely on a few key vendors for the supply and overhaul of components fitted to our aircraft. These vendors have historically worked at or near full capacity supporting the aircraft production lines and the maintenance requirements of various government and civilian aircraft operators that
may also operate at or near capacity in certain industries, including operators such as us who support the energy industry. Such conditions can result in backlogs in manufacturing schedules and some parts being in limited supply from time to time, which could have an adverse impact upon our ability to maintain and repair our aircraft. To the extent that these suppliers also supply parts for aircraft used by governments in military operations, parts delivery for our aircraft may be delayed. Our inability to perform timely maintenance and repairs can result in our aircraft being underutilized which could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, our operations in remote locations, where delivery of these components and parts could take a significant period of time, may also impact our ability to maintain and repair our aircraft. While every effort is made to mitigate such impact, this may pose a risk to our operating results.
Additionally, supplier cost increases for critical aircraft components and parts also pose a risk to our operating results. Cost increases for contracted services are passed through to our clients through rate increases where possible, including as a component of contract escalation charges. However, as certain of our contracts are long-term in nature, cost increases may not be adjusted in our contract rates until the contracts are up for renewal.
Additionally, operation of a global fleet of aircraft requires us to carry spare parts inventory across our global operations
to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activity. Changes in the aircraft model types of our fleet or the timing of exits from model types can result in inventory levels in excess of those required to support the fleet over the remaining life of the fleet. Additionally, other parts may become obsolete or dormant given changes in use of parts on aircraft and maintenance needs. These fleet changes or other external factors can result in impairment of inventory balances where we expect that excess, dormant or obsolete inventory will not recover its carrying value through sales to third parties or disposal.
Our
future growth depends significantly on the level of international oil and gas activity and our ability to operate outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Our future growth will depend significantly on our ability to expand into markets outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Expansion of our business depends on our ability to operate in these other regions.
Expansion of our business outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico may be adversely affected by:
•
local regulations restricting foreign ownership of helicopter operators;
•
requirements
to award contracts to local operators; and
•
the number and location of new drilling concessions granted by foreign governments.
We cannot predict the restrictions or requirements that may be imposed in the countries in which we operate. If we are unable to continue to operate or retain contracts in markets outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, our operations outside of the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico may not grow, and our future business, financial condition and results of operations
may be adversely affected.
In order to grow our business, we may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us.
Our business is capital intensive, and to the extent we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we will need to raise additional funds through bank debt, public or private debt, or equity financings to execute our growth strategy. Adequate sources of capital funding may not be available when needed, or may not be available on favorable terms. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or certain types of convertible debt securities, dilution to the holdings of existing stockholders may result. Further, if we raise additional debt financing, we will incur additional interest expense and the terms of such debt may be at less favorable rates than existing debt and could require the pledge of assets as security or subject us to financial
and/or operating covenants that affect our ability to conduct our business. If funding is insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. See discussion of our capital commitments in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Cash Requirements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Labor problems could adversely affect us.
Certain of our employees in the U.K., Norway, Nigeria, the U.S. and Australia (collectively, about 45% of our employees) are represented under collective bargaining or union agreements. Any disputes over the terms
of these agreements or our potential inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with the unions that represent our employees under these agreements could result in strikes, work stoppages or other slowdowns by the affected workers. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement. For example, in 2013 our U.S. Gulf of Mexico mechanics elected to unionize. Further, if our unionized workers engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown, other employees elect to become unionized, existing labor agreements are renegotiated, or future labor agreements contain terms that are unfavorable to us, we could experience a disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
See
Item 1. “Business — Employees” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for further discussion on the status of collective bargaining or union agreements.
Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could have an adverse effect on us.
Loss of the services of key management personnel at our corporate and regional headquarters without being able to attract personnel of equal ability could have a material adverse effect upon us. Further, Title 49 of the Transportation Code in the U.S. and other statutes require our President and two-thirds of our board of directors and other managing officers be U.S. citizens. Our failure to attract and retain qualified executive personnel or for such executive personnel to work well together or as effective leaders in their respective areas of responsibility could have a material adverse effect on our current business and future growth.
Our ability to attract and retain qualified pilots, mechanics and other highly-trained personnel is an important factor in determining our future success. For example, many of our clients require pilots with very high levels of flight experience. The market for these experienced and highly-trained personnel is competitive and may become more competitive. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to attract and retain such personnel. Some of our pilots, mechanics and other personnel, as well as those of our competitors, are members of the U.K. or U.S. military reserves who have been, or could be, called to active duty. If significant numbers of such personnel are called to active duty, it would reduce the supply of such workers and likely increase our labor costs. Additionally, the addition of new aircraft types to our fleet or a sudden change in demand for a specific
aircraft type as happened with the Sikorsky S-92 and Airbus Helicopters AS332 aircraft types in response to the Airbus Helicopters H225 grounding may require us to retain additional pilots, mechanics and other flight-related personnel. Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our current business and future growth.
Our operations are subject to weather-related and seasonal fluctuations.
Our operations can be impaired by harsh weather conditions. Poor visibility, high wind, heavy precipitation, sand storms and volcanic ash can affect the operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and result in a reduced number of flight hours. A significant portion of our operating revenue is dependent on actual flight hours, and a substantial portion of our direct cost is fixed. Thus, prolonged periods of harsh weather can have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, severe weather patterns, including those resulting from climate change, could affect the operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and result in a reduced number of flight hours, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The fall and winter months have fewer hours of daylight, particularly in the North Sea and Canada. While some of our aircraft are equipped to fly at night, we generally do not do so. In addition, drilling activity in the North Sea and Canada is lower during the winter months than the rest of the year. Anticipation of harsh weather during this period causes many oil and gas companies to limit activity during the winter months. Consequently, flight hours are generally lower during these periods, typically resulting in a reduction in operating revenue
during those months. Accordingly, our reduced ability to operate in harsh weather conditions and darkness may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Harmattan, a dry and dusty West African trade wind, blows in Nigeria between the end of November and the middle of March. The heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog. We are unable to operate aircraft during these harsh conditions. Consequently, flight hours may be lower during these periods resulting in reduced operating revenue, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the months of December through March typically have more days of harsh weather conditions than the other months of the year. Heavy fog
during those months often limits visibility and flight activity. In addition, in the Gulf of Mexico, June through November is tropical storm and hurricane season, and in Australia, November through April is cyclone season. When a weather event is about to enter or begins developing in these regions, flight activity may increase because of evacuations of offshore workers. However, during such an event, we are unable to operate in the area of the storm. In addition, as a significant portion of our facilities are located along the coast of these regions, extreme weather may cause substantial damage to our property in these locations, including possibly aircraft. Additionally, we incur costs in evacuating our aircraft, personnel and equipment prior to tropical storms, hurricanes and cyclones.
Failure to develop or implement new technologies could affect our results of operations.
Many
of the aircraft that we operate are characterized by changing technology, introductions and enhancements of models of aircraft and services and shifting client demands, including technology preferences. Our future growth and financial performance will depend in part upon our ability to develop, market and integrate new services and to accommodate the latest technological advances and client preferences. In addition, the introduction of new technologies or services that compete with our services could result in our revenue decreasing over time. If we are unable to upgrade our operations or fleet with the latest technological advances in a timely manner, or at all, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
We are increasingly dependent on information technology, and if we are unable to protect against service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches, our operations could be disrupted and our business could be negatively impacted.
Our business is increasingly dependent upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic and financial information; to capture knowledge of our business; and to communicate within our company and with clients, suppliers, partners and other stakeholders. These information technology systems, some of which are managed by third parties, may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases or
components thereof, power outages, hardware failures, computer viruses, cyber attacks, telecommunication failures, user errors or catastrophic events. Our information technology systems are becoming increasingly integrated on a global basis, so damage, disruption or shutdown to the system could result in a more widespread impact. If our information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown, and our business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, we could experience business disruptions and transaction errors causing a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, cyber attacks could lead to potential unauthorized access and disclosure of confidential information, data loss, data corruption, communication interruption or other operational disruptions within our business. There is no assurance that we will not experience
cyber attacks and suffer losses in the future. Further, as the methods of cyber attacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any cyber attacks.
We operate in many international areas through entities that we do not control and are subject to government regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies in favor of domestic ownership.
We conduct many of our international operations through entities in which we have a noncontrolling investment or through strategic alliances with foreign partners. For example, we have acquired interests in, or in some cases have lease and service agreements with, entities that operate aircraft in Brazil, Canada, and Egypt. We provide engineering and administrative support to certain of these entities. We derive significant
amounts of lease revenue, service revenue, equity earnings and dividend income from these entities. In fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we received approximately $87.7 million, $92.7 million and $54.0 million, respectively, of revenue from the provision of aircraft and other services to unconsolidated affiliates. As a result of not owning a majority interest or maintaining voting control of our unconsolidated affiliates, we do not have the ability to control their policies, management or affairs. The interests of persons who control these entities or partners may differ from ours, and may cause such entities to take actions that are not in our best interest. If we are unable to maintain our relationships with our partners in these entities, we could lose our ability to operate in these areas, potentially resulting in a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, an operational incident involving one of the entities over which we do not have operational control may nevertheless cause us reputational harm.
We are subject to governmental regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies in favor of domestic ownership. Based on regulations in various markets in which we operate, our aircraft may be subject to deregistration and we may lose our ability to operate within these countries if certain levels of local ownership are not maintained. Deregistration of our aircraft for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within these markets. We cannot assure you that there will be no changes in aviation laws, regulations or administrative requirements or the interpretations or applications
thereof, which could restrict or prohibit our ability to operate in certain regions. Any such restriction or prohibition on our ability to operate may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Governmental Regulation” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
We may undertake one or more significant corporate transactions that may not achieve their intended results, may adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations or result in unforeseeable risks to our business.
We
continuously evaluate the acquisition or disposition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions. Any such acquisitive transaction could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including mergers, joint ventures and the purchase of equity interests. The consideration for such acquisitive transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock or equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets. Such dispositions could take the form of asset sales, mergers or sales of equity interests.
These transactions may present significant risks such as
insufficient revenue to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant revenue and income streams, increased or unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain covenants in our debt agreements (including accelerated repayment) and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, we may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in our amount of debt and our debt service obligations or the
number of outstanding shares of our common stock, thereby diluting holders of our common stock outstanding prior to such acquisition.
We are subject to legal compliance risks.
As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S., the U.K. and other countries in which we operate. These laws and regulations relate to a number of aspects of our business, including import and export controls, the payment of taxes, employment and labor relations, fair competition, data privacy protections, securities regulation, and other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment. The application of these laws and regulations to our business is often unclear and may sometimes conflict. Compliance with these laws and regulations may involve significant costs or require changes in our business practices that result in reduced revenue and profitability. Non-compliance
could also result in significant fines, damages, and other criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions or additional requirements on the conduct of our business and damage our reputation. Certain violations of law could also result in suspension or debarment from government contracts. We also incur additional legal compliance costs associated with our global regulations. In many foreign countries, particularly those with developing economies, it may be customary for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws such as the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and the BCCA in Brazil, an anti-bribery law that is similar to the FCPA and U.K. Bribery Act. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors, agents, and business partners
will not take action in violation with our internal policies. Any such violation of the law or even internal policies could have an adverse effect on our business.
Actions taken by agencies empowered to enforce governmental regulations could increase our costs and reduce our ability to operate successfully.
Our operations are regulated by governmental agencies in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. These agencies have jurisdiction over many aspects of our business, including personnel, aircraft and ground facilities. Statutes and regulations in these jurisdictions also subject us to various certification and reporting requirements and inspections regarding safety, training and general regulatory compliance. Other statutes and regulations in these jurisdictions regulate the offshore operations of our clients. The agencies empowered to enforce these statutes and regulations
may suspend, curtail or require us to modify our operations. In February 2014 the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority issued the CAP 1145 regulation, which is intended to improve the safety of offshore helicopter operations in the U.K. The regulation was issued in response to the August 23, 2013 crash of a competitor’s Airbus Helicopters AS332L2 Super Puma where four passengers lost their lives. The regulation is in part intended to improve the ability of passengers and crew to survive an offshore incident, and also addresses pilot training, helidecks, acceptable weather conditions for flying and other safety topics. For example, one requirement that went into effect on September 1, 2014 is that passengers may only occupy seats next to an emergency exit window. The requirements could present North Sea operators, including us, with significant operational challenges. A suspension
or substantial curtailment of our operations for any prolonged period, and any substantial modification of our current operations, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See further discussion in Item 1. “Business — Government Regulation” and “Business - Environmental” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Changes in effective tax rates, taxation of our foreign subsidiaries or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our tax returns could adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, both domestically and internationally, or the interpretation or application thereof. From time to time, the U.S. Congress and foreign, state and local governments consider legislation that could increase our effective tax rate or the effective tax rates of our consolidated affiliates. We cannot determine whether, or in what form, legislation will ultimately be enacted or what the impact of any such legislation would have on our profitability. If these or other changes to tax laws are enacted, our profitability could be negatively impacted.
Our future effective tax rates could also be adversely affected by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing
statutory tax rates, the ultimate repatriation of earnings from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S., or by changes in tax treaties, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof in one or more countries in which we operate. In addition, we are subject to the potential examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities where we file tax returns. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that such examinations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Environmental regulations and liabilities may increase our costs and adversely affect us.
Our
operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the treatment, storage, recycling and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. The nature of the business of operating and maintaining aircraft requires that we use, store and dispose of materials that are subject to environmental regulation. Environmental laws and regulations change frequently, which makes it impossible for us to predict their cost or impact on our future operations. Liabilities associated with environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We could be exposed to strict, joint and several liability for cleanup costs, natural resource damages and other damages as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior
operators or other third parties. Additionally, any failure by us to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations may result in governmental authorities taking action against us that could adversely impact our operations and financial condition, including the:
•
issuance of administrative, civil and criminal penalties;
•
denial or revocation of permits or other authorizations;
•
imposition
of limitations on our operations; and
•
performance of site investigatory, remedial or other corrective actions.
Changes in environmental laws or regulations, including laws relating to greenhouse emissions or other climate change concerns, could require us to devote capital or other resources to comply with those laws and regulations. These changes could also subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased fuel costs. For additional information see Item 1. “Business - Environmental” and Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Our failure to dispose of aircraft through sales
into the aftermarket could adversely affect us.
The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for our services across global markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and large aircraft and newer technology aircraft may be required. As older aircraft models come off of current contracts and are replaced by new aircraft, our management evaluates our future needs for these aircraft models and ultimately the ability to recover our remaining investments in these aircraft through sales into the aftermarket. We depreciate our aircraft over their expected useful life to the expected salvage value to be received for the aircraft at the end of that life. However, depending on the
market for aircraft we may record gains or losses on aircraft sales. In certain instances where a cash return can be made on newer aircraft in excess of the expected return available through the provision of our services, we may sell newer aircraft. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales is unpredictable. A failure to dispose of aircraft and parts in the secondary market could impair our ability to operate our fleet efficiently and service existing contracts or win new mandates and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Adverse results of legal proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We are subject to and may in the future be subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our business. Results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Irrespective of merit, litigation may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and could cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We may be faced with significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us that could materially adversely affect a portion of our business operations or materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations should we fail to prevail in certain matters.
We are exposed to
credit risk.
We are exposed to credit risk on our financial investments, which depends on the ability of our counterparties to fulfill their obligations to us. We manage credit risk by entering into arrangements with established counterparties and through the establishment of credit policies and limits, which are applied in the selection of counterparties.
Credit risk on financial instruments arises from the potential for counterparties to default on their contractual obligations and is limited to those contracts on which we would incur a loss in replacing the instrument. We limit our credit risk by dealing only with counterparties that possess investment grade credit ratings and monitor our concentration risk with counterparties on an ongoing basis. The carrying amount of financial assets represents
the maximum credit exposure for financial assets.
Credit risk arises on our trade receivables from the unexpected loss in cash and earnings when a client cannot meet its obligation to us or when the value of any security provided declines. To mitigate trade credit risk, we have developed credit policies that include the review, approval and monitoring of new clients, annual credit evaluations and credit limits. There can be no assurance that our risk mitigation strategies will be effective and that credit risk will not adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Negative publicity may adversely impact us.
Media coverage and public statements that insinuate improper actions by us, our unconsolidated affiliates, or other companies in our industry, regardless of their factual accuracy or truthfulness, may result in
negative publicity, litigation or governmental investigations by regulators. Addressing negative publicity and any resulting litigation or investigations may distract management, increase costs and divert resources. Negative publicity may have an adverse impact on our reputation, the morale of our employees and the willingness of passengers to fly on our aircraft and those of our competitors, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Regulations limit foreign ownership of our company, which could reduce the price of our common stock and cause owners of our common stock who are not U.S. persons to lose their voting rights.
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides
that persons or entities that are not “citizens of the U.S.” (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958) shall not collectively own or control more than 25% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock (the “Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage”) and that, if at any time persons that are not citizens of the U.S. nevertheless collectively own or control more than the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage, the voting rights of shares owned by stockholders who are not citizens of the U.S. shall automatically be suspended, in the reverse chronological order of the dates and times of registry of such shares in the Company’s stock records, until the voting rights of a sufficient number thereof shall have been suspended so that the number of shares owned by stockholders who are not citizens of the U.S. that continue to have voting rights equals the greatest whole
number that is less than or equal to the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage. Shares held by persons who are not citizens of the U.S. may lose their associated voting rights and be redeemed as a result of these provisions. These restrictions may have a material adverse impact on the liquidity or market value of our Common Stock because holders may be unable to transfer our Common Stock to persons who are not citizens of the U.S.
If we do not restrict the amount of foreign ownership of our common stock, we might lose our status as a U.S. air carrier and be prohibited from operating aircraft in the U.S., which
would adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since we hold the status of a U.S. air carrier under the regulations of both the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA and we engage in the operating and dry-leasing of aircraft in the U.S., we are subject to regulations pursuant to Title 49 of the Transportation Code (the “Transportation Code”) and other statutes (collectively, the “Aviation Acts”). The Transportation Code requires that certificates to engage in air transportation be held only by citizens of the U.S. as that term is defined in the relevant section of the Transportation Code. That section requires: (i) that our President and two-thirds of our board of directors and other managing officers be U.S. citizens; (ii) that at least 75% of our outstanding voting stock be owned by U.S. citizens; and (iii) that we must be under the actual control of U.S. citizens.
Further, our aircraft operating in the U.S. must generally be registered in the U.S. In order to register such aircraft under the Aviation Acts, we must be owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. Although our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain provisions intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Aviation Acts, a failure to maintain compliance could result in the loss of our air carrier status and thereby adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and we would be prohibited from both operating as an air carrier and operating aircraft in the U.S. during any period in which we did not comply with these regulations.
Risks Related to Our Level of Indebtedness
Our
level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to obtain financing, impair our ability to fulfill our obligations under our indebtedness and limit our ability to adjust to changing market conditions.
As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $864.4 million of outstanding indebtedness. In addition, we had $265.7 million of availability for borrowings under our Credit Facilities as of March 31, 2015, subject to our maintenance of financial covenants and other conditions. Although the agreements governing our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing our 6 ¼% Senior Notes due 2022 (“6 ¼%
Senior Notes”) contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and we could incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future.
Our level of indebtedness may have important consequences to our business, including:
•
impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;
•
requiring us
to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, which reduces the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes or to repurchase our notes upon a change of control;
•
subjecting us to the risk of increased sensitivity to interest rate increases on our indebtedness with variable interest rates, including borrowings under our Credit Facilities;
•
increasing the possibility of
an event of default under the financial and other covenants contained in our debt agreements; and
•
limiting our ability to adjust to rapidly changing market conditions, reducing our ability to withstand competitive pressures and making us more vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or our business than our competitors with less debt.
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or obtain additional financing. There is no assurance that any such refinancing would be possible or that any additional financing could be obtained. Our inability to
obtain such refinancing or financing may have a material adverse effect on us.
Failure to comply with covenants contained in certain of our lease agreements could limit our ability to maintain our leased aircraft fleet and could adversely affect our business.
We have a significant amount of financial leverage from fixed obligations, including aircraft leases, leases of airport property and other facilities, and other material cash obligations. In addition, we have substantial non-cancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of new aircraft.
The terms of our aircraft lease agreements contain covenants that impose operating and financial limitations on us. Such lease agreements limit, among other things, our ability to utilize aircraft in certain jurisdictions and/or to sublease aircraft, and may contain restrictions upon a change of control. A breach of lease covenants could result in an obligation to repay amounts outstanding under the lease, including rent and a stated value amount per aircraft. If such an event occurs, we may not be able to pay all amounts due under the leases or to refinance such leases on terms satisfactory to us or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
To service our indebtedness and lease obligations we will continue to require a significant amount of cash, and our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.
Our
ability to make scheduled payments of principal or interest with respect to our indebtedness and lease obligations will depend on our ability to generate cash and on our financial results. Our ability to generate cash depends on the demand for our services, which is subject to levels of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production, general economic conditions, the ability of our affiliates to generate and distribute cash flows, and financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our operations will generate sufficient cash flow or that future borrowings will be available to us under our Credit Facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or lease obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs.
Covenants in our debt agreements may restrict the manner in which we
can operate our business.
Our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the 6 ¼% Senior Notes limit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:
•
borrow money or issue guarantees;
•
pay dividends, redeem capital stock or make other restricted payments;
•
incur
liens to secure indebtedness;
•
make certain investments;
•
sell certain assets;
•
enter into transactions with our affiliates; or
•
merge
with another person or sell substantially all of our assets.
If we fail to comply with these and other covenants, we would be in default under our Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the 6 ¼% Senior Notes, and the principal and accrued interest on our outstanding indebtedness may become due and payable. In addition, our Credit Facilities contain, and our future indebtedness agreements may contain, additional affirmative and negative covenants. As a result, our ability to respond to changes in business and economic conditions and to obtain additional financing, if needed, may be significantly restricted, and we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us.
Our Credit Facilities also require us, and our future credit
facilities may require us, to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests in the future. The breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our Credit Facilities. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our existing or future credit facilities, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under such credit facilities, including accrued interest or other obligations, to be immediately due and payable. There can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay all of our indebtedness in full.
The agreements governing certain of our indebtedness, including our Credit Facilities and the indentures governing
the 3% Convertible Senior Notes and the 6 ¼% Senior Notes, contain cross-default provisions. Under these provisions, a default under one agreement governing our indebtedness may constitute a default under our other agreements of indebtedness.
The number and types of aircraft
we operate are described in Item 1. “Business — Overview” above. In addition, we lease various office and operating facilities worldwide, including facilities at the Acadiana Regional Airport in New Iberia, Louisiana, the Redhill Aerodrome near London, England, the Aberdeen Airport, Scotland and along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and numerous residential locations near our operating bases or the bases of our affiliates in the U.K., Norway, Australia, Russia, Nigeria, Canada and Trinidad, which we use primarily for housing pilots and staff supporting those operations. We also lease office space in two buildings in Houston, Texas, which we use as our corporate headquarters and for other business purposes. Eastern Airways owns a majority controlling stake in the Humberside Airport in Kirmington, United Kingdom. Additionally, we have multiple properties in Titusville, Florida, where the largest campus of our Bristow Academy business unit is located. These facilities are
generally suitable for our operations and can be replaced with other available facilities if necessary.
Additional information about our properties can be found in Note 7 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report (under the captions “Aircraft Purchase Contracts” and “Operating Leases”). A detail of our long-lived assets by geographic area as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 can be found in Note 11 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Nigerian Litigation
In November 2005, two of our consolidated foreign affiliates were named in a lawsuit filed with the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria by Mr. Benneth Osita Onwubalili and his affiliated company, Kensit Nigeria Limited, which allegedly acted as agents of our affiliates in Nigeria. The claimants allege that an agreement between the parties was terminated without justification and seek damages of $16.3 million. We responded to this claim in early 2006. There has been minimal activity on this claim since then.
Environmental Contingencies
The EPA has in the past notified us that we are a potential responsible party, or PRP, at three former waste disposal facilities that are on the National Priorities List of contaminated sites. Under the
Superfund law, persons who are identified as PRPs may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances at National Priorities List sites. Although we have not yet obtained a formal release of liability from the EPA with respect to any of the sites, we believe that our potential liability in connection with these sites is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Other Matters
Although infrequent, aircraft accidents have occurred in the past, and the related losses and liability claims have been covered by insurance subject to various risk retention factors. We also are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, uninsured
losses, if any, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s
Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “BRS.” The following table shows the range of prices for our Common Stock during each quarter of our last two fiscal years.
On May 15,
2015, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on the NYSE was $60.87 per share. As of May 15, 2015, there were 362 holders of record of our Common Stock.
We paid quarterly dividends of $0.32 per share during each quarter of fiscal year 2015 and $0.25 per share during each quarter of fiscal year 2014. On May 15, 2015, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.34 per share of Common Stock, payable on June 18, 2015 to shareholders of record on June 5,
2015. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we paid dividends totaling $45.1 million and $36.3 million, respectively, to our shareholders. The declaration of future dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law, and our debt agreements.
The following table shows the repurchases of equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
Period
Total
Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program (1)
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
On
November 6, 2014, we announced that our board of directors had extended the date to repurchase shares of our Common Stock through November 5, 2015 and increased the authorized repurchase amount to $150 million. During fiscal year 2015, we spent $80.8 million to repurchase 1,160,940 shares of our Common Stock. As of May 15, 2015, we had $125.0 million of repurchase authority remaining from the $150 million that was authorized for share repurchases between November 6, 2014 to November 5, 2015. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors,
is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, and other factors and restrictions under applicable law, and our debt agreements, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
The following graph compares the cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on our Common Stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the S&P 500 index, the PHLX Oil Service Sector index and the Simmons Offshore Transportation Services Group. We have included the Simmons Offshore Transportation Services Group as management reviews this data internally and believes that this comparison is most
representative to our peer group. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common Stock and in each of the indices (including reinvestment of dividends) was $100 on March 31, 2010 and tracks it through March 31, 2015.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Bristow Group Inc., the S&P 500 Index, the PHLX Oil Service Sector Index,
and the Simmons Offshore Transportation Services Group
*$100
invested on 3/31/10 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
The following table contains our selected historical consolidated financial data. You should read this table along with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto, all of which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Results
for fiscal year 2015 include a gain on the sale of HCA of $3.9 million ($2.5 million, net of tax), a $7.2 million ($5.7 million, net of tax) write-down of inventory spare parts to the lower of cost or market value and $10.4 million ($8.0 million, net of tax) in additional depreciation due to fleet changes. Additional discussion of these items and other significant items in fiscal year 2015 is included under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Overview of Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
(2)
Results for fiscal year 2014 include a gain on the sale of the FB
Entities of $103.9 million ($67.9 million, net of tax), $12.7 million ($8.3 million net of tax) in charges related to the cancellation of a potential financing, a $12.7 million ($10.1 million, net of tax) write-down of inventory spare parts to the lower of cost or market value and $13.6 million ($8.8 million, net of tax) in lower earnings from Líder resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government. Additional discussion of these items and other significant items in fiscal year 2014 is included under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Overview of Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
(3)
Results
for fiscal year 2013 include a gain on disposal of assets of $8.1 million ($6.4 million, net of tax) and the retirement of our 7 ½% Senior Notes (redemption premium and write-off of deferred financing costs) of $14.9 million ($11.4 million, net of tax). Additional discussion of these items and other significant items in fiscal year 2013 is included under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Overview of Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Fiscal Year 2013” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
(4)
Results for fiscal year 2012 include a loss on disposal of assets of $31.7 million ($26.0 million, net of tax), a $25.9
million ($18.5 million, net of tax) write-down of inventory spare parts to lower of cost or market value, an impairment charge of $2.7 million ($2.7 million, net of tax) for two medium aircraft, a $2.7 million ($1.7 million, net of tax) impairment charge resulting from the abandonment of certain assets located in Creole, Louisiana as we ceased operations from that location, $2.1 million ($1.4 million, net of tax) in direct costs associated with the sale of 11 AS332L aircraft and $0.8 million in tax expense related to various tax items.
(5)
Results for fiscal year 2011 include additional depreciation expense of $5.3 million ($3.4 million, net of tax) as a result of the impairment of previously capitalized internal software
costs as the related project was abandoned, $2.3 million ($1.5 million, net of tax) redemption premium (included in other income (expense), net) and the non-cash write-off of $2.4 million ($1.6 million, net of tax) of unamortized debt issuance costs (included in interest expense) related to the early retirement of the 6 1/8% Senior Notes and a reduction in the provision of income taxes of $17.7 million related to adjustments to deferred tax liabilities that were no longer required as a result of restructuring during fiscal year 2011.
(6)
Results of operations and financial position of companies that we have acquired have been included beginning on the
respective dates of acquisition and include Airnorth (January 2015), Eastern Airways (February 2014) and Rotorwing Leasing Resources, L.L.C. (“RLR”) (July 2011). Amounts also include our investment in Cougar (October 2012). On July 14, 2013, we sold our 50% interest in the FB Entities and on November 21, 2014, we sold our 50% interest in HCA.
(7)
Includes long-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt and a capital lease obligation.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements,” Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and our Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, and the related notes thereto, all of which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Executive Overview
This Executive Overview only includes what management considers
to be the most important information and analysis for evaluating our financial condition and operating performance. It provides the context for the discussion and analysis of the financial information that follows and does not disclose every item impacting our financial condition and operating performance.
See discussion of our business and the operations within our Helicopter Services Segment under Part I. Item 1. “Business — Overview” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Our Strategy
Our goal is to strengthen our position as the leading helicopter services provider to the offshore energy industry and a leading helicopter services provider for civilian SAR and to pursue additional business opportunities that leverage our strengths in these markets. We intend to employ the following well defined business/commercial and capital
allocation strategies to achieve this goal:
Business/Commercial Strategy
•
Be the preferred provider of helicopter services. We are positioned in the market to be the preferred provider of helicopter services by maintaining strong relationships with our clients and providing a high level of safety and operating reliably. This differentiation is maintained because of our resolute focus on our cornerstone philosophy of “Target Zero Accidents”, “Target Zero Downtime” and “Target Zero Complaints” allowing us to achieve “Operational Excellence.” Operational Excellence means we maintain close relationships with field operations, corporate management and contacts at our
oil and gas clients and governmental agencies which we believe help us better anticipate client needs and provide them a highly reliable service. We provide our clients operational predictability by positioning the right assets in the right place at the right time repeatedly. This in turn allows us to better manage our fleet utilization and capital investment program and drive internal efficiencies. By better understanding and delivering on our clients’ needs, we effectively compete against other helicopter service providers with better aircraft optionality, client service, and reliability, not just on price and safety. In October 2014, we along with five major helicopter operators formally launched HeliOffshore. HeliOffshore is an industry organization whose goal is to enhance the already strong safety record of the offshore helicopter industry by sharing best practices in automation, performance monitoring, operating procedures, and advanced technology to establish
common global flight standards. We believe this will make our sector a sustainably reliable and dependable logistics option for the oil and gas industry.
•
Grow our business while managing our assets. We plan to continue to grow our business globally and increase our revenue and profitability over time, while managing through cyclical downturns in the energy industry or governmental spending reductions or modifications. We conduct flight operations in most major oil and gas producing regions of the world, and through our strong relationships with our existing clients, we are aware of future business opportunities in the markets we currently serve that would allow us to grow through new contracts.
Additionally, new opportunities may result in growth through acquisitions, participation with existing unconsolidated affiliates, investing in new companies, or creating partnerships and alliances with existing industry participants or in new sectors of the air transport industry. We are also actively managing our aircraft fleet with the expressed goal of continually renewing the fleet with newer technology aircraft, while also reducing the number of fleet types we operate. We expect that a reduction in the number of fleet types we operate will allow us to realize operating, maintenance, inventory and supply chain efficiencies across a more standardized global fleet of aircraft.
Sustaining
Operational Excellence. We continue to invest in operations transformation across our organization, with the goal of developing and sustaining industry differentiation through Operational Excellence. We define our objective of ongoing improvement across four strategic areas: client alignment, operational excellence, exceptional people and profitable growth. We strive for the highest standards in safety performance, mission execution, people management and financial discipline. To sustain client confidence, we have created the role of Service Delivery Manager in each of our business units. We have also appointed a number of global account and business development executives to support our drive to deliver Operational Excellence to our clients. We are also working to improve operational performance by creating global supply chain and fleet management groups. We are in the process of further standardizing, simplifying and integrating our business
processes across our global operations so we can better provide more consistent and high quality service delivery. We are investing in two new technology platforms, eFlight and a new ERP platform, to support flight operations and activities such as finance, supply chain and maintenance. The expected benefits of these efforts in addition to a scalable platform for growth include fewer process steps, decreased cost, better maintenance turnaround, minimization of aircraft downtime, faster billing and collections, reduced inventory levels and lower risk exposure, which should lead to improved margins, asset turnover, cash flow and Bristow Value Added (“BVA”). We expect the technology execution portion of operational excellence to not only improve our differentiated position with our clients but also reduce risk and reinforce our targeted 10-15% adjusted diluted earnings per share growth over a three to five year period through BVA and earnings per share accretion.
Capital
Allocation Strategy
Our capital allocation strategy is based on three principles as follows:
•
Prudent balance sheet management. Throughout our corporate and business unit management, we proactively manage our capital allocation plan with a focus on achieving business growth and improving rates of return, within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management. In addition to cash flow generated from operations, we intend to maintain adequate liquidity and manage our capital structure relative to our commitments with external financings when necessary and through
the use of operating leases for a target of 35% of our LACE. The target recognizes that we will have variability above or below the target of approximately 5% of our LACE due to timing of leases, purchases, disposals and lease terminations. As of March 31, 2015, aircraft under operating leases accounted for 37% of our LACE. Our adjusted debt to total equity ratio and total liquidity were 99.7% and $369.9 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015 compared to 76.4% and $529.9 million, respectively, as of March 31,
2014. Adjusted debt includes balance sheet debt of $864.4 million and $841.3 million, respectively, the net present value of operating leases of $640.0 million and $411.6 million,
respectively, letters of credit, bank guarantees and financial guarantees of $10.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and the unfunded pension liability of $99.6 million and $86.8 million, respectively, as of March 31,
2015 and 2014.
•
Highest return of BVA. Our internal financial management framework, called BVA, focuses on the returns we deliver across our organization. BVA is a financial performance measure that we use to measure gross cash flow less a capital charge, assumed to be 10.5% of the use of gross invested capital employed. Our goal is to achieve strong improvements in BVA over time by (1) improving the cash returns we earn throughout our organization via Operational Excellence initiatives and capital efficiency improvements as well as through better pricing based on the differentiated value we deliver to clients via
the Bristow Client Promise program; (2) deploying more capital into commercial opportunities where management believes we can deliver strong returns and when we believe it will benefit us and our shareholders, including making strategic acquisitions or strategic equity investments; and (3) withdrawing capital from areas where returns are deemed inadequate and unable to be sufficiently improved. When appropriate, we may divest parts of the Company. Improvements in BVA are the primary financial measure in our management incentive plan, which is designed to align the interests of management with shareholders and also encourages management actions that increase the long-term value of the Company.
•
Balanced
shareholder return. We believe our liquidity position and cash flows from operations will be adequate to finance operating and maintenance expenditures, so we have matched our capital deployment alternatives for the current business environment to deliver a more balanced return to our shareholders. On May 15, 2015, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.34 per share, our seventeenth consecutive quarterly dividend. On August 1, 2013, our board of directors approved a dividend policy with a goal of an annualized quarterly dividend payout ratio of approximately 20-30% of forward adjusted earnings per share, although actual dividend payments are at the discretion of the board of directors and may not meet or may exceed this ratio. Also, our board of directors has authorized expenditures to repurchase
shares of Common Stock since November 2011. On November 6, 2014, our board of directors extended the date to repurchase shares of our Common Stock through November 5, 2015 and increased the remaining authorized repurchase amount to a total of $150 million, of which $125 million remains authorized. As of May 15, 2015, we had repurchased 2,756,419 shares of our Common Stock for a total of $184.8 million since 2011. For additional information on our repurchases of Common Stock, see “Share Repurchases” in Note 10 to the financial statements elsewhere in this Annual Report. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions
under applicable law and our debt instruments, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Market Outlook
Our core business is providing helicopter services to the worldwide oil and gas industry. We also provide public and private sector SAR services and fixed wing services. Our global operations and critical mass of helicopters provide us with geographic and client diversity which helps mitigate risks associated with a single market or client.
The oil and gas business environment experienced a downturn during fiscal year 2015. Brent crude oil prices declined from approximately $106 per barrel at July 1, 2014 to $48 per barrel at March 31, 2015, driven by increased global
supply of crude oil and forecasts for reduced demand for crude oil resulting from weaker global economic growth in many regions of the world. We believe the oil price decline will negatively impact the cash flow of our clients and lead many of them to reduce capital expenditures in calendar 2015 compared to 2014 levels, negatively impacting exploration and development drilling activity during 2015. Many of our clients have already reduced capital spending plans and implemented measures to reduce costs. However, we believe the current price environment will have less impact on offshore production than offshore exploration activity of our clients during 2015. We believe that the total duration of this current market slowdown will last between 18 to 36 months. Although the largest share of our revenue relates to oil and gas production and our largest contract, U.K. SAR, is not tied
to declining oil prices, the March 31, 2015 price of crude oil and further declines against this price could result in the rescaling, delay or cancellation of planned offshore projects which could impact our operations in future periods.
The SAR market is continuing to evolve and we believe further outsourcing of public SAR services to the private sector will continue, although the timing of these opportunities is uncertain. The clients for our SAR services include both the oil and gas industry, where our revenue is primarily dependent upon the client’s operating expenditures, and governmental agencies, where our revenue is dependent upon the country’s desire to privatize SAR and enter into long-term contracts. Public SAR service opportunities include previously awarded work involving seven
aircraft for the U.K. Gap SAR contract, five aircraft in Ireland, two aircraft in the Dutch Antilles, 18 additional aircraft for the U.K. SAR contract awarded to us and four aircraft for the Falklands. We are also pursuing other public and oil and gas SAR opportunities for multiple aircraft in various areas including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greenland, the Mediterranean, Nigeria, Norway and Trinidad, and other countries have indicated an interest in outsourcing SAR services. We are also pursuing other non-SAR government aircraft logistics opportunities.
As
discussed above, we continue to seek ways to operate more efficiently and work with our clients to improve the efficiency of their operations within our “Operational Excellence” strategy. These efficiency gains, combined with strong demand, should lead to expansion of our business in some of our core markets.
Recent Events
Airnorth acquisition — On January 29, 2015, Bristow Helicopters Australia Pty Ltd. (“Bristow Helicopters Australia”) acquired an 85% interest in Capiteq Limited, operating under the name Airnorth, for cash of A$30.3 million ($24.0 million), with possible earn out consideration of up to A$17 million ($13.0 million) to be paid over four years based on the achievement in part on the achievement of specified financial performance thresholds and continued employment by the selling
shareholders. Airnorth is Northern Australia’s largest regional fixed wing operator based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with both scheduled and charter services which focus primarily on the energy and mining industries in northern and western Australia as well as international service to Dili, Timor-Leste. Airnorth’s fleet consists of thirteen aircraft (nine turboprop and four new technology regional jets) and its customer base includes many energy companies to which Bristow Group already provides helicopter service. We believe this investment will strengthen our ability to provide point to point transportation services for existing Australian based passengers, expand helicopter services in certain areas in Southeast Asian markets and create a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
The acquisition of Airnorth was accounted for under the purchase method and the results have been consolidated from
the date of acquisition in the Australia business unit. The purchase price will be allocated based on the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.
We expect this acquisition will contribute approximately A$105-A$115 million ($83-$91 million) in operating revenue and A$25-A$30 million ($20-$24 million) of adjusted EBITDAR for fiscal year 2016.
Impact of fleet changes — The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for helicopter services across global energy markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and large aircraft and newer technology aircraft may be required. As older aircraft models come off of current contracts
and are replaced by new aircraft, our management evaluates our future needs for these aircraft models and ultimately the ability to recover our remaining investments in these aircraft through sales into the aftermarket. We depreciate our aircraft over their expected useful life to the expected salvage value to be received for the aircraft at the end of that life. However, depending on the market for aircraft or changes in the expected future use of aircraft within our fleet, we may record gains or losses on aircraft sales, impairment charges for aircraft operating or held for sale, or accelerate or increase depreciation on aircraft used in our operations. In certain instances where a cash return can be made on newer aircraft in excess of the expected return available through the provision of helicopter services, we may sell newer aircraft. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales is unpredictable. While aircraft sales are
common in our business and are reflected in our operating results, gains and losses on aircraft sales may result in our operating results not reflecting the ordinary operating performance of our primary business, which is providing aircraft services to our clients. The gains and losses on aircraft sales and any impairment charges are not included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted earnings per share or gross cash flows for purposes of calculating BVA.
As part of an ongoing process to rationalize and simplify our global fleet of helicopters, during fiscal year 2014 we implemented a plan to reduce the number of aircraft types in our fleet to eight model types in approximately five years and six model types in approximately ten years. During fiscal year 2014, we completed our exit from five model types and in fiscal year 2015 we completed our exit from four model types while adding two model types. As we modernize
our fleet, the introduction of new technology aircraft types temporarily slows fleet type reduction. We have recently added two new fleet types, the AgustaWestland AW189 large aircraft and Sikorsky S-76D medium aircraft. This is the first time in six years that we have introduced a new aircraft type into our fleet. These aircraft and other new technology models will comprise our target service offering as we reduce the overall number of aircraft in our fleet in the upcoming years.
During fiscal year 2015, we recorded impairment charges totaling $36.1 million related to 27 aircraft included in assets held for sale. Included in the impairment charges were $24.5 million recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2014 related to ten large aircraft as a result of negotiations associated
with the disposal of all 17 of this aircraft type in our fleet. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we completed the disposal of 13 of these aircraft and recorded an additional loss of $6.4 million. Additionally, as we expect to complete the disposal of the remaining four aircraft of this type still operating in Australia in fiscal year 2016, we adjusted the salvage value and recorded additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We also expect to record additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 in Australia related to these remaining aircraft. Also, included in the impairment charges was $4.3 million related to three medium prototype aircraft included in assets held for sale. We entered into an agreement in April
2015 to sell these three aircraft and purchase fully developed/non-prototype aircraft.
The limited availability of some new aircraft models and the need throughout the industry to retire many of the older aircraft in the worldwide fleet is a driver for our industry.
Selected Regional Perspectives
Brazil continues to represent a significant part of our helicopter growth outlook. The growth expected in the pre-salt deepwater fields in Brazil will necessitate investment in infrastructure and associated services, particularly the addition of more offshore drilling rigs and production platforms
which will require additional helicopters for support. Helicopters procured for this market tend to be newer and more sophisticated which is aligned with both our “Operational Excellence” and Líder’s “Decolar” service differentiation programs. Continuing their fleet growth plan, Petrobras released new tenders for multiple medium and large aircraft expected to commence in the second half of calendar year 2015 and continue into calendar year 2016. In addition, recent new licensing rounds have been very well attended and several international oil companies have gained new blocks which should result in additional aircraft demand beyond the Petrobras requirements in the future. Petrobras represented 60% of Líder’s operating revenue in fiscal year 2015. Certain executives at Petrobras are the subject of ongoing investigations into alleged compliance violations, which may delay new contracts
in Brazil.
Additionally, Líder also has significant business in the general aviation sector and previously announced that it had secured a new position as the exclusive dealer for Bombardier jet aircraft sales in Brazil. This is expected to add to Líder’s aircraft sales business and supplement Líder’s Beechcraft turboprop dealership position.
As expected, Líder’s operations performed better during fiscal year 2014 and into fiscal year 2015 as new aircraft began operating; however, currency fluctuations continue to make it difficult to predict the earnings from our Líder investment. These currency fluctuations, which primarily do not impact Líder’s cash flow from operations, had a significant negative impact on Líder’s results in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, impacting our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates. Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, on our consolidated
statements of income, is included in calculating adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted net income.
We are subject to competition and the political environment in the countries where we operate. In Nigeria, we have seen an increase in competitive pressure and the application of existing local content regulations that could impact our ability to win future work at levels previously anticipated. In order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have made a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. The objectives of these changes being (a) enhancing the level of continued compliance by each of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) and Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”) with local content regulations, (b) providing technical aviation maintenance services through a wholly-owned Bristow Group entity, BGI Aviation Technical Services
Nigeria Limited (“BATS”), and (c) each of BHNL, PAAN and BATS committing to continue to apply and use all key Bristow Group standards and policies, including without limitation our Target Zero safety program, our Code of Business Integrity and our Operations Manuals. As a result of these changes, our ability to continue to consolidate BHNL and PAAN under the current accounting requirements could change.
We recognize that the operating environment for our North America business unit has been challenging given our fleet mix, and so we have been proactively restructuring our business by exiting the Alaska aircraft market, with a long-term strategy of operating larger aircraft to service Gulf of Mexico deepwater client contracts. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively, we recorded $1.6 million and $3.4 million in costs associated
with restructuring our North America business unit which related primarily to employee severance and retention costs.
We conduct business in various foreign countries, and as such, our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations and related risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. During fiscal year 2015, our primary foreign currency exposure was related to the British pound sterling, the euro, the Australian dollar, the Nigerian naira, the Norwegian kroner and the Brazilian real. The recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar had a significant impact on our results as discussed under “– Results of Operations” below. For details on this exposure and the related impact on our results of operations, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included
elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net
of losses
12,709
25,070
(12,361
)
(49.3
)%
Operating
income
186,977
224,144
(37,167
)
(16.6
)%
Interest
expense, net
(43,218
)
(41,658
)
(1,560
)
(3.7
)%
Extinguishment of debt
—
(14,932
)
14,932
*
Gain
on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
103,924
—
103,924
*
Other income (expense), net
(2,692
)
(877
)
(1,815
)
(207.0
)%
Income
before provision for income taxes
244,991
166,677
78,314
47.0
%
Provision for income taxes
(57,212
)
(35,002
)
(22,210
)
(63.5
)%
Net
income
187,779
131,675
56,104
42.6
%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,042
)
(1,573
)
531
33.8
%
Net
income attributable to Bristow Group
$
186,737
$
130,102
$
56,635
43.5
%
Diluted
earnings per common share
$
5.09
$
3.57
$
1.52
42.6
%
Operating
margin (1)
12.3
%
16.7
%
(4.4
)%
(26.3
)%
Flight hours (2)
195,400
207,149
(11,749
)
(5.7
)%
Non-GAAP
financial measures:(3)
Adjusted operating income
$
233,459
$
217,348
$
16,111
7.4
%
Adjusted
operating income margin (1)
15.4
%
16.2
%
(0.8
)%
(4.9
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
433,656
$
380,966
$
52,690
13.8
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin (1)
28.6
%
28.3
%
0.3
%
1.1
%
Adjusted net income
$
163,176
$
137,846
$
25,330
18.4
%
Adjusted
diluted earnings per share
$
4.45
$
3.78
$
0.67
17.7
%
______________________
*
percentage change not meaningful
(1)
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted EBITDAR margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDAR divided by operating revenue.
Excludes
flight hours from Bristow Academy and unconsolidated affiliates and includes flight hours from our fixed wing operations in the U.K. and Australia for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 totaling 29,663 and 4,107, respectively.
(3)
These financial measures have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent registered public accounting firm. These financial measures are therefore considered non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDAR is calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as components of direct cost and general and administrative expense),
provision for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. See further discussion of our use of the adjusted EBITDAR metric below. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are each adjusted for gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. As discussed below, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our results of operations. A description of the adjustments to and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is as follows:
See
information about special items during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 under “Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014” and “Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Fiscal Year 2013” below.
(ii)
These amounts are presented after applying the appropriate tax effect to each item and dividing by the weighted average shares outstanding during the related period to calculate the earnings per share impact.
Management
believes that adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share (collectively, the “Non-GAAP measures”) provide relevant and useful information, which is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry as well as by our management in assessing both consolidated and business unit performance.
Adjusted operating income provides us with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business by excluding asset disposition effects and special items that do not reflect the ordinary earnings of our operations. We believe that this measure is a useful supplemental measure because operating
income includes asset disposition effects and special items, and inclusion of these items does not reflect the ongoing operational earnings of our business.
Adjusted EBITDAR provides us with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes. Additionally, we believe that adjusted EBITDAR provides us with a useful supplemental measure of our operational performance by excluding the financing decisions we make regarding aircraft purchases or leasing. Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us for investing in the growth of our business.
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share present our consolidated results excluding asset dispositions and special items that do not reflect the ordinary earnings of our operations. We believe that these measures are useful
supplemental measures because net income and diluted earnings per share include asset disposition effects and special items, and inclusion of these items does not reflect the ongoing operational earnings of our business.
The Non-GAAP measures are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP and other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do. As a result, these financial measures have limitations as analytical and comparative tools and you should not consider these measures in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In calculating these financial measures, we make certain adjustments that are based on assumptions and estimates that may prove to be inaccurate. In addition, in evaluating these financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation. Our presentation of
the Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or special items.
Some of the additional limitations of adjusted EBITDAR are:
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect our current or future cash requirements for capital expenditures;
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•
Adjusted
EBITDAR does not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debts;
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect the significant rent expense or the cash requirements necessary to make lease payments on our operating leases; and
•
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
The
following tables present business unit adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin discussed in “Business Unit Operating Results,” and consolidated adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:
For fiscal year 2015, we reported operating income of $145.9 million, net income of $84.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $2.37 compared to operating income of $187.0 million, net income of $186.7 million and diluted earnings per share of $5.09 for fiscal year 2014. The results for fiscal year 2015 were significantly impacted by:
•
An
unfavorable foreign currency exchange impact of $39.4 million driven primarily by a strengthening U.S. dollar, including $25.7 million reflected as a reduction in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates related to our affiliate in Brazil,
•
An increase in general and administrative expense of $54.3 million driven by higher compensation costs of $20.1 million primarily related to improved BVA year-over-year and stock price performance versus our peer group, and higher professional fees of $13.1 million primarily related to ongoing Operations Transformation and other initiatives,
•
A
loss on disposal of assets of $35.8 million (primarily related to non-cash impairment charges related to aircraft of $36.1 million) and non-cash inventory impairment charges of $7.2 million, and
•
Additional depreciation expense related to fleet changes of $10.4 million.
Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which are non-GAAP measures as discussed above, include the significant impact of the foreign currency exchange rate changes and general and administrative expense increases as these items are associated with our business operations. These non-GAAP measures exclude the loss on disposal of the
assets and additional depreciation expense, and other special items including the gain on sale of an unconsolidated affiliate, North America business unit restructuring, additional expense related to CEO succession, premium and fees associated with a repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes, reversal of accrued maintenance costs, an accounting correction and Nigeria severance costs. The loss on disposal of assets and special items on a combined basis decreased our operating income by $64.7 million, decreased our net income by $49.7 million and decreased diluted earnings per share by $1.39. The foreign currency exchange impact in fiscal year 2015 decreased earnings per share by $0.88, on an adjusted and unadjusted basis, compared to a decrease of $0.21 in fiscal year 2014.
For fiscal
year 2015, excluding the special items and loss on disposal of assets, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $210.6 million, $134.0 million and $3.77, respectively. For fiscal year 2014, excluding the special items and loss on disposal of assets, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $233.5 million, $163.2 million and $4.45, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDAR, which excludes the same special items and loss on disposal of assets in both periods, was $473.8
million in fiscal year 2015 compared to $433.7 million in fiscal year 2014, a 9.3% increase.
The increase in adjusted EBITDAR is primarily due to the following:
•
An increase in activity in our Europe business unit, including the addition of Eastern Airways in February 2014,
•
The startup
of new contracts in our Australia business unit,
•
Improved contract terms in our West Africa business unit,
•
The recovery of $19.6 million from original equipment manufacturers provided in the form of maintenance credits resulting from settlements for aircraft performance issues and related costs that benefited results in our North America,
West Africa, Europe and Australia business units,
•
A favorable shift in the mix to larger aircraft under contract that benefited our operations in our North America business unit, and
•
The reversal of $4.4 million in bad debt expense in our North America business unit related to a client that had previously filed for bankruptcy for which we have subsequently settled and collected
funds.
Adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased from 28.6% in fiscal year 2014 to 27.4% in fiscal year 2015 primarily driven by the foreign currency exchange impact and general and administrative expense increase. Additionally, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share, on an unadjusted and adjusted basis, were impacted by the foreign currency exchange impact and general and administrative expense increase as well as a $59.0 million increase in rent expense ($56.8
million of this increase is included in direct costs and $2.2 million of this increase is included in general and administrative expense) from fiscal year 2014 as we increased the number of leased aircraft.
Gross revenue increased 11.3%, or $189.1 million, to $1.9 billion for fiscal year 2015 from $1.7 billion for fiscal year 2014 driven primarily by the addition of new contracts with improved contract terms and improvement in flight activity in our Australia
($60.3 million) and Europe ($32.7 million) business units and the addition of Eastern Airways in February 2014, which contributed $123.6 million of additional operating revenue to our Europe business unit during fiscal year 2015.
Direct costs increased 12.8%, or $133.4 million, to $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2015 from $1.0 billion for fiscal year 2014 driven primarily by a $63.8 million increase in salaries and benefits due to increased activity and the addition of Eastern Airways in February 2014, a $56.8 million increase in rent expense primarily due to an increase
in the number of leased aircraft, an increase of $16.4 million in fuel primarily due to the addition of Eastern Airways and an increase of $5.0 million in travel and meals due to an increase in activity, partially offset by a $18.5 million decline in maintenance expense. The decrease in maintenance expense is primarily due to the maintenance credits discussed above.
Reimbursable expense declined 13.8%, or $20.0 million, to $124.6 million in fiscal year 2015 from $144.6 million in fiscal year 2014 primarily due to a decline in our Europe business unit.
Depreciation and amortization increased 19.1%,
or $18.3 million, to $114.3 million for fiscal year 2015 from $96.0 million for fiscal year 2014 primarily due to the addition of Eastern Airways in February 2014 and a decrease in salvage values for some older aircraft operating in Australia, West Africa and Trinidad, partially offset by a decrease in our North America business unit due to the planned closure of our Alaska operations.
General and administrative expense increased 27.2%, or $54.3 million, to $254.2 million for fiscal year 2015 from $199.8
million for fiscal year 2014 primarily due to an overall increase in compensation, professional fees, information technology expenses and training (including implementation and training costs for a new ERP system) and recruitment expenses. Additionally, we recorded $5.5 million of additional expense related to CEO succession.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased $14.5 million to a loss of $1.8 million for fiscal year 2015 from earnings of $12.7 million in fiscal year 2014. The decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, primarily resulted from lower earnings of $7.1 million
from our investment in Líder in Brazil, a decrease of $3.2 million in earnings due to the sale of our investment in the FB Entities in July 2013 and a decrease in dividends of $2.0 million from our cost method investment in Egypt. Our earnings from Líder in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were reduced by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes of $25.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. During fiscal year 2014, we recorded $13.6 million of lower earnings from Líder due to additional tax charges resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government. The $13.6 million is a special item and excluded from adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings
per share in fiscal year 2014.
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate includes $3.9 million and $103.9 million in pre-tax gains related to the sale of HCA and the FB Entities during fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. For further details, see “— Business Unit Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014.”
Additional items impacting our results included impairment of inventories, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, interest expense, net and other income (expense, net), which are discussed further in “— Business Unit Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to
Fiscal Year 2014.”
Also, impacting our net income and earnings per share, on an adjusted and unadjusted basis, was an increase in the normalized effective tax rate from 13.7% for fiscal year 2014 to 20.4% for fiscal year 2015. For further details on provision for income taxes, see “— Business Unit Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014 — Taxes.”
As discussed above, our results for fiscal
year 2015 were impacted by a number of special items. These special items, on a combined basis, decreased our operating income by $28.8 million, net income by $21.1 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.59. In fiscal year 2014, special items that impacted our results included a gain on the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate, cancellation of potential financing, the impairment of inventories, restructuring items, Líder taxes, Mexico goodwill impairment, Nigeria fire and the CEO succession and officer separation. The items noted in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 have been identified as special items as they are not considered by management to be
part of our ongoing operations when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the Company. The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:
For fiscal year 2014, we reported operating income of $187.0 million, net income of $186.7 million and diluted earnings per share of $5.09 compared to operating income of $224.1 million, net income of $130.1 million and diluted earnings per share of $3.57 for fiscal year 2013. The results for fiscal year 2014 included special items, which on a combined basis decreased our operating income by $45.8 million and, increased our net income by $24.1 million and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.66. The special items include:
•A $103.9 million gain on the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate,
•$12.7 million in charges related to the cancellation of a potential
financing,
•$12.7 million in inventory impairment charges,
•
$13.6 million in lower earnings from Líder resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government,
•
Restructuring costs including $3.4 million for the restructuring of our North America business unit, $2.1 million in compensation expense related to severance costs as a result of the termination of a contract
in the Southern North Sea and $2.6 million tax impact of an internal reorganization,
•A $0.6 million impairment charge related to goodwill in Mexico,
•An $8.6 million increase in insurance expense due to a hangar fire in Nigeria, and
•$4.8 million in expense related to CEO succession and officer separation costs.
Excluding these special items and gain (loss) on disposal of assets, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share
were $233.5 million, $163.2 million and $4.45, respectively, for fiscal year 2014 compared to $217.3 million, $137.8 million and $3.78, respectively, for fiscal year 2013.
Adjusted EBITDAR, which excludes the same special items and gain (loss) on disposal of assets, was $433.7 million in fiscal year 2014 compared to $381.0 million in fiscal year 2013, a 13.8% increase. Adjusted EBITDAR margin improved slightly from 28.3% in fiscal year 2013 to 28.6% in fiscal year 2014 with a 10.7% increase in gross revenue.
The improvement in adjusted EBITDAR margin was driven primarily by revenue growth in our Europe and West Africa business units, and in Canada. Adjusted EBITDAR margin improved at a lower rate than revenue over fiscal year 2013 primarily due to:
•
A
decrease in operating revenue of $10.1 million in our Australia business unit primarily resulting from the ending of short-term contracts, while overall maintenance expense remained flat and labor costs increased in anticipation of new contract start-ups later in fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015;
•
Additional maintenance expense of $24.2 million and labor costs of $27.6 million in our Europe business unit in fiscal year 2014, primarily due to the addition of Eastern Airways beginning in February 2014, start of the U.K. Gap SAR contract
in June and July 2013, the return to service of H225 aircraft and support of the previously idle AS332L aircraft we returned to service after we had ceased operating the H225 aircraft in October 2012 in this market;
•
An increase in labor costs in our West Africa business unit of $7.8 million resulting from annual salary increases; and
•
An unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates which resulted in a decrease to adjusted EBITDAR of $4.2 million.
With
the exception of our Australia and Other International business units, adjusted EBITDAR improved as operating revenue continued to grow in most regions. Additionally, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share, on an unadjusted and adjusted basis, were impacted by a $38.3 million increase in rent expense ($37.2 million increase included in direct costs and $1.2 million increase included in general and administrative expense) over fiscal year 2013 as we increased the number of aircraft within our leased fleet. Additionally, adjusted EBITDAR margins for our Europe and Australia business units improved during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 as we were able to recover $12.4 million in maintenance expense credits from our original equipment manufacturers as settlements for aircraft performance issues and reimbursement for transportation costs.
Gross revenue increased 10.7%, or $161.1 million, to $1.7 billion
for fiscal year 2014 from $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2013 driven primarily by the addition of new contracts with improved pricing and improvements in flight activity in our Europe ($99.5 million) and West Africa ($32.7 million) business units, the addition of eight aircraft operating in Canada beginning in October 2012 that contributed $35.6 million ($16.4 million in North America and $19.2 million in Corporate and other) and the acquisition of Eastern Airways that contributed $21.2 million, partially offset by the $10.1 million decrease in operating revenue in our Australia business unit due to the end of short-term contracts, a $12.6 million decline in operating revenue from our U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska operations in our North America business unit due to a decline in activity in
small aircraft and a $11.2 million decrease in reimbursable revenue (primarily in Australia). Additionally, an unfavorable impact from changes in foreign currency rates decreased gross revenue by $15.9 million (primarily in Australia). Included in the gross revenue increase was an increase in operating revenue from affiliates primarily due to the addition of eight aircraft operating in Canada in October 2012 previously discussed.
Direct costs increased 15.7%, or $141.2 million, to $1.0 billion for fiscal year 2014 from $900.4 million for fiscal year 2013 driven primarily by a $38.0 million increase in maintenance expense, a $36.6 million increase in salaries and benefits, a $37.2 million increase in rent expense, an $8.1 million increase in insurance expense and a $4.5 million increase in training expense. The increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 is due to a fire in Nigeria which resulted in an increase in insurance
premiums across all of our business units. The increase in training expense is due to training in advance of the addition of new aircraft types into certain markets.
Reimbursable expense declined 8.2%, or $12.9 million, to $144.6 million in fiscal year 2014 from $157.4 million in fiscal year 2013 primarily due to a decline in our Australia business unit.
Depreciation and amortization decreased 0.3%, or $0.3 million, to $96.0 million for fiscal year 2014 from $96.3 million for fiscal year 2013. Although we have added aircraft to our fleet, we have increased the number of aircraft through operating leases including the sale and leaseback
of 14 aircraft during fiscal year 2014. Additionally, we recorded $0.6 million for the impairment of goodwill related to Mexico as all of the contracts in Mexico have expired.
General and administrative expense increased 22.3%, or $36.4 million, to $199.8 million for fiscal year 2014 from $163.4 million for fiscal year 2013 primarily due to an overall increase in compensation, information technology expenses, professional fees, travel, training and staff recruitment. Additionally, we recorded $1.9 million in expense related to CEO succession and $2.9 million for officer separation.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased $12.4 million to $12.7 million for fiscal year 2014 from $25.1 million in fiscal year 2013. The decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates,
net of losses, primarily resulted from lower earnings of $11.9 million from our investment in Líder in Brazil and a decrease of $7.3 million in earnings due to the sale of our investment in the FB Entities, partially offset by an increase of $4.0 million of dividends received from our cost method investment in Egypt. During fiscal year 2014, we recorded $13.6 million of lower earnings from Líder due to additional tax charges resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the government in Brazil. For further details on this tax amnesty payment, see “Executive Overview — Market Outlook” included elsewhere in this Annual Report. In addition, there was a $4.4 million increase in the core operating earnings of Líder primarily due to additional aircraft on contract and better cost management in fiscal year 2014. Additionally, in fiscal year 2013, earnings from
unconsolidated affiliates increased by $2.8 million as a result of the correction of a calculation error related to foreign currency derivative transactions impacting our earnings from Líder.
Additional items impacting our results included impairment of inventories, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, interest expense, net, extinguishment of debt, other income (expense, net) and income tax expense, which are discussed further in “— Business Unit Operating Results — Fiscal Year 2014 Compared to Fiscal Year 2013.”
As discussed above, our results for fiscal year 2014 were impacted by a number of special items, which on a combined basis decreased our operating income by $45.8 million, increased our net income by $24.1 million and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.66. In fiscal year 2013, special items that impacted our results
included an additional inventory allowance, the correction of the calculation error related to Líder, severance costs in the Southern North Sea, the reversal of accrued maintenance cost for sale of AS332Ls that ultimately did not execute, the 7 ½% Senior Notes retirement (the redemption premium and write-off of deferred financing costs) and write-off of deferred financing fees for the 364-Day Term Loan. The items noted in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 have been identified as special items as they are not considered by management to be part of our ongoing operations when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the Company. The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:
The following tables set forth certain operating information for the business units comprising our Helicopter Services segment. Intercompany lease revenue and expense are eliminated from our segment reporting, and depreciation expense of aircraft is presented in the segment that operates the aircraft.
Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014
Set forth below is a discussion of operations of our business units. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.
Europe
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
779,009
$
622,684
$
156,325
25.1
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
99,138
$
117,632
$
(18,494
)
(15.7
)%
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
887
$
4,446
$
(3,559
)
(80.0
)%
Operating
income
$
125,016
$
114,729
$
10,287
9.0
%
Operating
margin
16.0
%
18.4
%
(2.4
)%
(13.0
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
255,506
$
216,283
$
39,223
18.1
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
32.8
%
34.7
%
(1.9
)%
(5.5
)%
Bristow Helicopters acquired 60% interest in Eastern Airways
in February 2014, which contributed to an increase of $123.6 million in operating revenue and $25.2 million in adjusted EBITDAR for fiscal year 2015 representing a significant portion of improvement over fiscal year 2014 in our Europe business unit. Additionally, the operations of our Europe business unit have continued to expand since fiscal year 2014 with the net addition of 15 LACE. These additional aircraft, as well as an overall increase in activity with existing clients and under new contracts, resulted in $32.7 million of increased operating revenue in fiscal year 2015.
The increases in operating income and adjusted EBITDAR were driven by revenue growth. Other expenses also increased as a result of the addition of Eastern Airways and the increase in activity levels, such as salaries
and benefits of $43.2 million ($33.9 million from Eastern Airways), fuel expense of $15.7 million ($16.9 million from Eastern Airways) and rent expense of $40.9 million ($6.5 million from Eastern Airways). Additionally, operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin benefited from the recovery of $7.5 million and $8.5 million in credits for maintenance expense from original equipment manufacturers during fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively, resulting from settlements for aircraft performance and transportation costs. During fiscal year 2014, insurance expense was $4.6 million higher due to a fire in Nigeria resulting in an increase in premiums across all business units. Also in fiscal year 2014, we incurred $2.1 million in severance costs as a result of the termination of a contract in the Southern North Sea. The $4.6 million and $2.1 million
are not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2014. These items were partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rate changes of $22.5 million and the decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net losses of $3.6 million due to the sale of the FB Entities in July 2013 and sale of HCA in November 2014. Despite the increase in adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased during fiscal year 2015 due to an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rate changes and lower margin at Eastern Airways.
Operating revenue for West Africa increased in fiscal year 2015 primarily
due to increased activity from new and certain existing contracts which increased operating revenue by $23.9 million and improved contract terms which increased operating revenue by $11.5 million, partially offset by lower activity from other contracts which decreased operating revenue by $32.7 million.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR improved as a result of better cost management resulting in decreases in maintenance expense ($6.5 million), freight ($2.9 million), base repairs and maintenance ($2.6 million) and travel and meals ($1.5 million), partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange
rate changes of $1.2 million. Additionally, operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin benefited from the recovery of $2.8 million in credits for maintenance expense from original equipment manufacturers during fiscal year 2015 resulting from settlements for aircraft performance and transportation costs. In fiscal year 2015, management made the decision to exit certain fleet types operating in this business unit earlier than originally anticipated. We recorded additional depreciation expense of $1.9 million related to five medium and one fixed wing aircraft operating in this business unit. The $1.9 million of additional depreciation expense was not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2014, insurance expense was $1.2 million higher due to a fire in Nigeria resulting in an increase in premiums across all business units. This $1.2 million was not included in adjusted EBITDAR
or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2014.
As previously discussed, we have seen recent changes in the West Africa market as a result of new competitors entering this market. Additionally, increasingly active trade unions, changing regulations and the changing political environment have made and are expected to continue to make our operating results from Nigeria unpredictable.
North America
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
234,218
$
229,064
$
5,154
2.3
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
658
$
1,276
$
(618
)
(48.4
)%
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
(710
)
$
1,053
$
(1,763
)
(167.4
)%
Operating
income
$
52,943
$
32,255
$
20,688
64.1
%
Operating
margin
22.6
%
14.1
%
8.5
%
60.3
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
94,101
$
73,528
$
20,573
28.0
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
40.2
%
32.1
%
8.1
%
25.2
%
Operating revenue increased for North America in fiscal year 2015
primarily due to an increase in the number of medium and large aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which increased operating revenue by $28.3 million, partially offset by our planned closure of operations in Alaska which reduced operating revenue by $14.0 million and a decline in the number of small aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico which reduced operating revenue by $13.2 million.
During
fiscal year 2015, we reversed $4.4 million of bad debt expense in our North America business unit related to a client that had previously filed for bankruptcy for which we have subsequently settled and collected funds. Also, during fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in costs associated with the restructuring of this business unit and planned closure of our Alaska operations, which related primarily to employee severance and retention costs. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin excludes these restructuring costs during fiscal years 2015 and 2014. The increase in operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were driven by the change in mix of fleet on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to more medium and large aircraft and benefited from
the recovery of $2.8 million in credits for maintenance expense from original equipment manufacturers during fiscal year 2015 resulting from settlements for aircraft performance and transportation costs. The reversal of the bad debt expense of $4.4 million also added to adjusted EBITDAR. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, related to Cougar. Additionally impacting operating income and operating margin in fiscal year 2014 was an increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 of $1.2 million primarily resulting from an increase in premiums across all business units due to a fire in Nigeria. This $1.2 million was not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2014.
We recognize that the current operating environment in the North America business unit is challenging for our fleet mix and we are proactively restructuring our
business with a long-term strategy of operating larger aircraft to service deepwater client contracts.
Australia
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
209,020
$
148,731
$
60,289
40.5
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
20,008
$
19,693
$
315
1.6
%
Operating
income
$
6,017
$
5,523
$
494
8.9
%
Operating
margin
2.9
%
3.7
%
(0.8
)%
(21.6
)%
Adjusted EBITDAR
$
52,596
$
29,111
$
23,485
80.7
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
25.2
%
19.6
%
5.6
%
28.6
%
Operating revenue for Australia increased in fiscal year 2015 primarily
due to the start of new contracts and additional activity and aircraft on contract, including a significant contract with INPEX which increased operating revenue by $83.9 million, partially offset by the ending of short-term contracts which reduced operating revenue by $26.1 million. Additionally, on January 29, 2015, Bristow Helicopters Australia acquired an 85% interest in Capiteq Limited, operating under the name Airnorth, which contributed $11.4 million of operating revenue and $2.1 million of adjusted EBITDAR during
fiscal year 2015.
Operating income improved primarily due to the increase in operating revenue, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits of $17.9 million ($3.5 million from Airnorth), rent expense of $11.3 million ($1.4 million from Airnorth) and depreciation and amortization of $13.6 million ($0.9 million from Airnorth). Additionally, operating income and operating margin were unfavorably impacted by foreign currency exchange rate changes of $1.7 million. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin also improved due to the increase in operating revenue and addition of Airnorth, partially offset by the salaries and benefits increase and unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we were able to recover $4.6 million and $3.6 million, respectively, in credits for maintenance expense from original equipment manufacturers as settlements for aircraft performance
and transportation costs. In fiscal year 2015, management made the decision to exit certain fleet types operating in this business unit earlier than originally anticipated. We recorded additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million related to four large aircraft operating in this business unit. Operating margin declined primarily due to the additional depreciation expense recorded. The $6.2 million of additional depreciation expense related to the four large aircraft was not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2014 insurance expense was $1.1 million higher due to a fire in Nigeria resulting in an increase in premiums across all business units. This $1.1 million was not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin in fiscal year 2014.
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
(1,991
)
$
7,210
$
(9,201
)
(127.6
)%
Operating
income
$
18,609
$
33,769
$
(15,160
)
(44.9
)%
Operating
margin
13.7
%
25.2
%
(11.5
)%
(45.6
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
35,620
$
63,778
$
(28,158
)
(44.2
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
26.2
%
47.7
%
(21.5
)%
(45.1
)%
Operating revenue for Other International increased during
fiscal year 2015 primarily due to a contract in Tanzania that started in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 ($14.7 million) and a change in mix of aircraft on contract in Trinidad ($7.6 million), partially offset by a decline in revenue resulting from the end of contracts in Malaysia ($10.6 million) and Mexico ($2.3 million), a decline in activity in Russia ($4.5 million) and a decrease in aircraft on contract in Brazil ($2.4 million).
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased primarily due to a decrease in earnings from our investment in Líder
in Brazil of $7.1 million and a decrease of $2.0 million in dividends from our cost method investment in Egypt. During fiscal year 2014, we recorded $13.6 million in reduced earnings from Líder for additional charges resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government. Additionally, negatively affecting Líder’s results during fiscal year 2015 was a $25.7 million unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. See further discussion about our investment in Líder and the Brazil market in “Executive Overview – Market Outlook” and “Fiscal Year 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year 2014” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased primarily
due to the significant unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates affecting our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, and the end of contracts in Malaysia and Mexico, partially offset by a change in the mix of aircraft on contract in Trinidad and the addition of the contract in Tanzania. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin for fiscal year 2014 exclude the additional tax charges for Líder. Excluding the unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate impact in both fiscal years, our adjusted EBITDAR margin would have been 45.7% and 50.8% for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Corporate and Other
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In thousands, except percentages)
Operating
revenue
$
59,449
$
71,679
$
(12,230
)
(17.1
)%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
610
$
464
$
146
31.5
%
Operating
loss
$
(106,936
)
$
(78,630
)
$
(28,306
)
(36.0
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
(73,153
)
$
(50,219
)
$
(22,934
)
(45.7
)%
Corporate
and other includes our Bristow Academy business unit, technical services business and corporate costs that have not been allocated to other business units.
Operating revenue decreased primarily due to lower support fees for helicopters operating in Canada of $2.8 million, a decrease in technical services part and work order sales of $3.2 million and a decrease in operating revenue at Bristow Academy of $2.7 million primarily resulting from lower activity at the Nevada campus in fiscal year 2015.
The operating loss for Corporate and other increased primarily due to:
•
An
increase in compensation costs of $16.3 million, primarily resulting from improved BVA year-over-year and stock price performance versus our peer group, professional fees of $8.9 million, primarily related to ongoing Operational Excellence initiatives, and $0.7 million of additional expense related to CEO succession and officer separation ($5.5 million recorded in fiscal year 2015 versus $4.8 million recorded in fiscal year 2014), and
•
The negative impact of $4.1 million related to the accounting correction described below.
Partially offsetting the above was a decline in inventory allowances and a favorable foreign currency exchange impact of $13.1 million primarily included in other
income. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we recorded $7.2 million and $12.7 million, respectively, of inventory allowances relating to excess inventory identified for older large aircraft models we will remove from our operational fleet over the next two fiscal years. Adjusted EBITDAR for Corporate and other decreased primarily due to the increase in compensation costs and professional fees. The portion of compensation costs related to CEO succession and officer separation, the charges recorded for inventory allowances and the accounting correction were excluded from the calculation of adjusted EBITDAR.
During fiscal year 2015, we determined that we had been improperly capitalizing profit on intercompany technical services billings related to aircraft modifications. To correct this error, we reduced property and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation, by $4.4 million and increased deferred gains on aircraft sold and leased back included within other long-term liabilities by $0.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The impact on our consolidated statements of income fiscal year 2015 was an increase in direct costs of $4.1 million. The error is not material to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2015 or our previously reported consolidated financial statements for any period.
During fiscal year 2015, approximately 104 pilots graduated from Bristow Academy. We hired 12 graduates as instructors at Bristow Academy and 53 graduates as pilots (mostly former instructors) into our other business units.
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets decreased $35.1 million
to a loss of $35.8 million for fiscal year 2015 from a loss of $0.7 million for fiscal year 2014. The loss on disposal of assets in fiscal year 2015 included impairment charges totaling $36.1 million related to 27 held for sale aircraft and gains of $0.2 million from the sale or disposal of 44 aircraft and other equipment. The loss on disposal of assets in fiscal year 2014 includes impairment charges totaling $6.8 million related to 11 held for sale aircraft, partially offset by a gain of $6.1
million from the sale of 46 aircraft and other equipment.
Interest Expense, Net
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Interest income
$
956
$
1,720
$
(764
)
(44.4
)%
Interest
expense
(37,834
)
(40,243
)
2,409
6.0
%
Amortization
of debt discount
(4,323
)
(3,708
)
(615
)
(16.6
)%
Amortization
of debt fees
(2,712
)
(15,091
)
12,379
82.0
%
Capitalized
interest
14,559
14,104
455
3.2
%
Interest
expense, net
$
(29,354
)
$
(43,218
)
$
13,864
32.1
%
The
decrease in interest expense, net in fiscal year 2015 was primarily due to the write-off of $12.7 million of deferred financing fees related to a potential financing in fiscal year 2014, partially offset by a write-off of deferred financing fees of $0.7 million related to the repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes in fiscal year 2015.
Extinguishment of debt
Extinguishment of debt includes $2.6 million in premium and fees as a result of the repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes during fiscal year 2015.
Other
income (expense), net decreased primarily due changes in foreign currency exchange rates during fiscal year 2015 driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, the euro, Nigerian naira and Norwegian kroner as well as a gain of $1.1 million on the sale of intellectual property during fiscal year 2014.
Taxes
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2015
2014
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Effective tax rate
20.4
%
23.4
%
3.0
%
*
Net
foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings
$
30,515
$
28,847
$
(1,668
)
(5.8
)%
Benefit
of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad
(52,428
)
(46,354
)
6,074
13.1
%
(Benefit)
expense from change in tax contingency
(65
)
(1,522
)
(1,457
)
*
Dividend
inclusion as a result of internal realignment
—
2,625
2,625
*
Foreign
statutory rate reduction
—
(2,944
)
(2,944
)
*
Benefit
from foreign tax credits
(12,566
)
(12,752
)
(186
)
(1.5
)%
Valuation
allowance
4,510
4,532
22
*
___________________
*
percentage change not meaningful
Our effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2015 is 20.4% which includes $1.5 million of tax expense for the sale of HCA and $4.5 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowance.
Our effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2014 reflected $36.6 million of tax expense for the sale of the FB entities, $4.5 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowance and $2.6 million of tax expense related to an internal reorganization, partially offset by a $4.8 million benefit due to changes to of our deferred taxes as a result of the Líder tax amnesty payment and a $2.9 million benefit due to the revaluation of our deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of a tax rate reduction in the U.K. Excluding these items, our effective tax rate was 13.7% for fiscal year 2014.
Also our effective
tax rate for the fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were reduced by the permanent investment outside the U.S. of foreign earnings, upon which no U.S. tax has been provided, and by the amount of our foreign source income and our ability to realize foreign tax credits.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest expense for fiscal year 2015 was $4.4 million compared to $1.0 million for fiscal year 2014. The increase in noncontrolling interest expense was primarily due to the addition of Eastern Airways in February 2014. See Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Set forth below is a discussion of operations of our business units. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.
Europe
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014
2013
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
622,684
$
501,923
$
120,761
24.1
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
117,632
$
117,622
$
10
—
%
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
4,446
$
10,708
$
(6,262
)
(58.5
)%
Operating
income
$
114,729
$
111,785
$
2,944
2.6
%
Operating
margin
18.4
%
22.3
%
(3.9
)%
(17.5
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
216,283
$
181,475
$
34,808
19.2
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
34.7
%
36.2
%
(1.5
)%
(4.1
)%
The operations of our Europe business unit expanded in fiscal
year 2014 with the net addition of seven LACE. These additional aircraft, as well as an overall increase in activity with existing clients and under new contracts primarily in the Northern North Sea in the U.K. and Norway resulted in $79.3 million of increased operating revenue and were the primary contributors to the revenue growth in Europe in fiscal year 2014. Additionally, during June and July 2013 we began operating the U.K. Gap SAR contract at two bases which contributed $37.7 million of operating revenue in fiscal year 2014. Bristow Helicopters acquired a 60% interest in Eastern Airways in February 2014, which contributed $21.2 million to the increase in operating revenue and $4.2 million in adjusted EBITDAR in fiscal year 2014. These increases were partially offset by the loss of a
contract in the Southern North Sea during fiscal year 2013 resulting in an $18.8 million decrease in operating revenue.
Despite the revenue growth in fiscal year 2014 driving an increase in operating income and adjusted EBITDAR, operating margin decreased primarily due to an increase in rent expense of $27.1 million and a decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, of $6.3 million. Other expenses also increased as a result of higher activity levels and timing of maintenance activities, including maintenance expense ($24.2 million) and salaries ($27.6 million). An increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 of $4.6 million, primarily resulting from an increase in premiums across all business units due to a fire in Nigeria, also impacted operating income and operating margin. During fiscal year 2014, we incurred
$2.1 million in severance costs as a result of the termination of a contract in the Southern North Sea. During fiscal year 2013, we incurred $2.2 million in severance costs related to the termination of a separate contract in the Southern North Sea.
On July 14, 2013, we sold our 50% interest in the FB Entities which were accounted for under the equity method and included in our Europe business unit operating results. The FB Entities generated $3.2 million and $10.5 million of both operating income and adjusted EBITDAR for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDAR improved by $34.8 million, or 19.2%, in fiscal year 2014 while adjusted EBITDAR
margin declined to 34.7% from 36.2% in fiscal year 2013. Adjusted EBITDAR excludes the impact of the increase in the number of aircraft on lease and reflects the overall growth in this business unit in terms of new contracts, increased pricing and utilization. The decrease in adjusted EBITDAR margin was driven primarily by higher maintenance and salary costs incurred as we returned the H225 aircraft to service, a decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, due to the sale of our interest in the FB Entities, and an unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Adjusted EBITDAR margin improved during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 as we were able to recover $8.5 million in credits for maintenance expense from our original equipment manufacturers as settlements for aircraft performance issues and reimbursement for transportation costs.
Operating revenue in West Africa increased primarily due to $18.9 million
from improved pricing and $25.6 million from increased ad hoc flying and activity, partially offset by a $15.6 million decline in activity in certain contracts.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin increased in fiscal year 2014 due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits of $7.8 million, aircraft maintenance expense of $4.4 million, freight of $2.5 million, base repairs and maintenance of $1.8 million and value added taxes of $1.6 million. Additionally impacting operating income and operating margin was an increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 of $1.2 million primarily resulting from an increase in premiums across all business units due to a fire in Nigeria. The $1.2 million of additional premiums in fiscal year 2014 was excluded from adjusted
EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
North America
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014
2013
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
229,064
$
225,248
$
3,816
1.7
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
1,276
$
1,149
$
127
11.1
%
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
1,053
$
(736
)
$
1,789
243.1
%
Operating
income
$
32,255
$
27,538
$
4,717
17.1
%
Operating
margin
14.1
%
12.2
%
1.9
%
15.6
%
Adjusted EBITDAR
$
73,528
$
57,864
$
15,664
27.1
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
32.1
%
25.7
%
6.4
%
24.9
%
In early October 2012, we acquired eight large aircraft that are
operated by Cougar in Canada, which resulted in a $16.4 million increase in operating revenue in fiscal year 2014. Also, an increase of medium and large aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico resulted in an increase of $10.0 million of operating revenue in fiscal year 2014. These increases were partially offset by a decline in the number of small aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico which reduced operating revenue by $19.0 million, a decrease in revenue in Alaska of $2.0 million and a decrease in fuel recharges of $1.6 million in fiscal year 2014.
During fiscal year 2014, we recorded $3.4 million in costs associated with the restructuring of this business unit and planned closure of our Alaska operations, which related primarily
to employee severance costs and was excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin. During fiscal year 2013, we recorded a bad debt allowance of $4.9 million for accounts receivable from ATP that were no longer considered probable of collection due to their filing for bankruptcy. Excluding this allowance, operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin for fiscal year 2013 would have been 14.4% and 27.8%, respectively. In fiscal year 2014, the increase in operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin was due to the addition of aircraft operating in Canada beginning in October 2012, improvements in earnings from Cougar, our unconsolidated affiliate in Canada, and the lower level of bad debt expense, partially offset by decline in the number of small aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. Additionally impacting operating
income and operating margin was an increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 of $1.2 million primarily resulting from an increase in premiums across all business units due to a fire in Nigeria. The $1.2 million of additional premiums in fiscal year 2014 was excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
Operating revenue for Australia declined due to the impact of certain
short-term contracts ending of $38.4 million and the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes of $13.8 million, partially offset by an increase of $40.9 million from new contracts and ad hoc work. Additionally, reimbursable revenue decreased $8.3 million in fiscal year 2014 due to timing of work, change in client mix and impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
For fiscal year 2014, operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin declined primarily due to the ending of certain short-term contracts discussed above and an increase in salaries of $5.2 million. During fiscal year 2014, we incurred costs,
including salaries and benefits, depreciation, insurance, training and lease costs in anticipation of contracts that started during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 and in fiscal year 2015, including the INPEX contract. Additionally impacting operating income and operating margin was an increase in insurance expense in fiscal year 2014 of $1.1 million primarily resulting from an increase in premiums across all business units due to a fire in Nigeria. The $1.1 million of additional premiums in fiscal year 2014 was excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin. Results in Australia were impacted by additional salary and maintenance costs associated with the H225 aircraft return to service. Adjusted EBITDAR margin improved during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 as we
were able to recover $3.6 million in credits for maintenance expense from our original equipment manufacturers as settlements for aircraft performance issues and reimbursement for transportation costs. For further details about the INPEX contract award and the H225 return to service, see “Executive Overview – Market Outlook.”
Other International
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014
2013
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
133,794
$
132,088
$
1,706
1.3
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
227
$
574
$
(347
)
(60.5
)%
Earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
$
7,210
$
15,098
$
(7,888
)
(52.2
)%
Operating
income
$
33,769
$
45,201
$
(11,432
)
(25.3
)%
Operating
margin
25.2
%
34.2
%
(9.0
)%
(26.3
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
63,778
$
61,495
$
2,283
3.7
%
Adjusted
EBITDAR margin
47.7
%
46.6
%
1.1
%
2.4
%
Operating revenue for Other International increased slightly in
fiscal year 2014 due to increased activity in Trinidad ($8.3 million) and Brazil ($3.6 million) and start-up of a contract in Tanzania ($5.4 million), partially offset by the end of short-term contracts in Guyana ($2.8 million) and a decline in aircraft on contract in Malaysia ($11.0 million) and Mexico ($2.0 million).
Operating income and operating margin decreased primarily due to a decrease of $7.9 million in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, and a decline in aircraft on contract in Malaysia and Mexico, partially offset by increased activity in
Brazil and start-up of operations in Tanzania.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased primarily due to a decrease in earnings from our investment in Líder of $11.9 million. During fiscal year 2014, we recorded $13.6 million in reduced earnings from Líder for additional tax expense resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the government of Brazil. Additionally, we received $4.0 million in dividends from our cost method investment in Egypt during fiscal year 2014. See further discussion about our investment in Líder and the Brazil market in “Executive Overview –
Market Outlook.” Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin excluded $13.6 million in lower earnings from Líder resulting from this tax amnesty payment.
Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin improved primarily due to increased activity in Brazil, start-up of operations in Tanzania and higher earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, partially offset by the decrease in aircraft on contract in Malaysia and Mexico.
Corporate and Other
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014
2013
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Operating revenue
$
71,679
$
46,140
$
25,539
55.4
%
Reimbursable
revenue
$
464
$
2,381
$
(1,917
)
(80.5
)%
Operating
loss
$
(78,630
)
$
(64,046
)
$
(14,584
)
(22.8
)%
Adjusted
EBITDAR
$
(50,219
)
$
(51,649
)
$
1,430
2.8
%
Corporate
and other includes our Bristow Academy business unit, technical services business and corporate costs that have not been allocated to other business units.
Operating revenue increased primarily due to the addition of support fees for new helicopters operating in Canada of $19.2 million and an increase in operating revenue at Bristow Academy of $3.6 million resulting from an increase in military training.
Corporate operating expense primarily represents costs of our corporate office and other general and administrative costs not allocated to our business units. Operating loss increased primarily due to an increase in professional fees, information technology expense and incentive compensation during fiscal year 2014, partially offset by the increase in operating revenue. In fiscal year 2014, we recorded an impairment of inventory of $12.7 million related primarily to spare parts held
for a medium aircraft model which we decided to remove from our fleet over the next two fiscal years. Additionally, we recorded $1.9 million in expense related to CEO succession and $2.9 million for officer separation. The impairment of inventory, CEO succession and officer separation were excluded from adjusted EBITDAR.
During fiscal year 2014, approximately 86 pilots graduated from Bristow Academy. We hired 22 graduates as instructors at Bristow Academy and 59 graduates as pilots (mostly former instructors) into our other business units.
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets decreased $8.8 million to a loss of $0.7 million for fiscal year 2014 from a gain of $8.1 million for fiscal year 2013. The loss on disposal of assets in fiscal year 2014 included a gain of $6.1 million from the sale of 46 aircraft
and other equipment, partially offset by impairment charges totaling $6.8 million related to 11 held for sale aircraft. During fiscal year 2013, the gain on disposal of assets included a gain of $1.0 million from the sale of 16 aircraft and other equipment, $2.8 million in insurance recoveries and the reversal of $8.7 million of previously recorded impairment charges for four aircraft reclassified from held for sale to aircraft and equipment, partially offset by impairment charges totaling $4.4 million related to 10 held for sale aircraft.
The
increase in interest expense, net in fiscal year 2014 was primarily due to an increase in borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility. Additionally, fiscal year 2014 included the write-off of $12.7 million of deferred financing fees related to a potential financing in connection with our bid to provide SAR services in the U.K. During fiscal year 2014, we increased our borrowing capacity on our Revolving Credit Facility from $200 million to $350 million and cancelled the potential financing. Partially offsetting the increased interest expense was an increase in capitalized interest due to an increase in average construction in progress in fiscal year 2014. During fiscal year 2013, interest expense, net included the write-off of deferred financing fees related to our 7 ½% Senior Notes and 364-Day Term Loan totaling $4.7 million.
Extinguishment of debt
Extinguishment of debt included
$14.9 million in premium and fees as a result of the tender offer for and early redemption of the 7 ½% Senior Notes during fiscal year 2013.
Gain on Sale of Unconsolidated Affiliate
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate included $103.9 million in pre-tax gains related to the sale of the FB Entities during fiscal year 2014. See discussion of the FB Entities sale under “Executive Overview — Market Outlook” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Fiscal
Year Ended
March 31,
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
2014
2013
(In
thousands, except percentages)
Foreign currency losses
$
(3,684
)
$
(1,126
)
$
(2,558
)
(227.2
)%
Other
992
249
743
298.4
%
Other
income (expense), net
$
(2,692
)
$
(877
)
$
(1,815
)
(207.0
)%
Other
income (expense), net decreased primarily due to an increase in foreign currency losses, partially offset by a gain of $1.1 million on the sale of intellectual property during fiscal year 2014.
Benefit
of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad
(46,354
)
(47,288
)
(934
)
(2.0
)%
(Benefit)
expense from change in tax contingency
(1,522
)
187
1,709
*
Dividend
inclusion as a result of internal realignment
2,625
—
(2,625
)
*
Foreign
statutory rate reduction
(2,944
)
—
2,944
*
Benefit
from foreign tax credits
(12,752
)
(9,127
)
3,625
39.7
%
Valuation
allowance
4,532
—
(4,532
)
*
___________________
*
percentage change not meaningful
Our effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2014 reflected $36.6 million of tax expense for the sale of the FB entities, $4.5 million of tax expense for an increase in valuation allowance and $2.6 million of tax expense related to an internal reorganization, partially offset by a $4.8 million benefit due to changes in our deferred taxes as a result of the Líder tax amnesty payment and a $2.9 million benefit due to the revaluation of our deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of a tax rate reduction in the U.K. Excluding these items, our effective tax rate was 13.7% for fiscal year 2014.
Our effective tax rate for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 were reduced by the permanent investment outside the U.S. of foreign earnings, upon which no U.S. tax has been provided, and by the amount of our foreign source income and our ability to realize foreign tax
credits. Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013 included a benefit due to revaluation of our deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of tax rate reductions in the U.K. effective April 1, 2012 and 2013. This revaluation benefit was offset by income tax expense related to other discrete items for fiscal year 2013.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest expense was $1.0 million in fiscal year 2014 compared to $1.6 million for fiscal year 2013. The decrease in noncontrolling interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in net income from our operations in Russia. See Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $253.2 million, $232.1 million and $266.8 million during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Changes in non-cash working capital generated $1.9 million, $19.9 million and $21.1 million in cash flows during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013,
respectively. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we received dividends from unconsolidated affiliates of $9.4 million and $1.6 million in excess of recorded earnings, respectively, and during fiscal year 2013, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates were $9.2 million in excess of dividends received. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we pre-funded fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 employer contributions for our U.K. pension plans, resulting in decreases in operating cash flow of $18.6 million, $20.8 million and $19.0 million, respectively. Cash flow from operations
continued to be strong in fiscal year 2015, with more cash generated from operations than in fiscal year 2014 even after the impact in fiscal year 2015 of significant payments made in preparation for the commencement of the U.K. SAR contract totaling $33.2 million in fiscal year 2015 compared to $7.1 million in fiscal year 2014.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities were $203.1 million, $266.3 million and $307.8 million for fiscal years 2015,
2014 and 2013, respectively. Cash was used primarily for capital expenditures as follows:
In addition to these capital expenditures, investing cash flows were impacted by the following items during the last three fiscal years:
Fiscal
Year 2015 — During fiscal year 2015, we received $25.7 million in proceeds from the disposal of 30 aircraft and certain other equipment. Also, we received $8.5 million in insurance recoveries and $380.7 million for the sale of 14 aircraft which we subsequently leased back. Additionally, we sold our 50% interest in HCA for $4.2 million. Cash was used for the acquisition of an 85% interest in Airnorth for $20.3 million, net of cash received.
Fiscal Year 2014 — During fiscal year 2014, we received proceeds of $43.6 million primarily from the sale or disposal of 32 aircraft and certain other equipment and received $246.4 million for the sale of 14 aircraft which we subsequently leased back. Additionally, we sold our 50% interest in the FB Entities for $112.2 million. Cash was used for the acquisition of a 60% interest in Eastern Airways for $39.9 million, net of cash received.
Fiscal
Year 2013 — During fiscal year 2013, we received proceeds of $59.0 million primarily from the sale or disposal of 16 aircraft and certain other equipment and $255.8 million for the sale of 11 large aircraft which we subsequently leased back. Also, we paid $255.5 million (including $5.5 million for transaction costs) for the investment in certain aircraft, facilities and inventory used by Cougar in its operations and 40 Class B shares in Cougar. Of this $255.5 million amount, $190.9 million was for aircraft and facilities included in the table above, $13.4 million was for inventory and other current assets included in operating cash flows and $51.2 million was for our investment in Class B shares of Cougar.
For further details on Airnorth, Eastern Airways and Cougar, see Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in
this Annual Report.
We used cash in financing activities of $128.3 million and $13.0 million during fiscal years 2015 and 2013, respectively and generated cash from financing activities of $10.2 million during fiscal year 2014.
During fiscal year 2015, we received $453.0 million from borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and $5.2 million in proceeds from the issuance
of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options. During fiscal year 2015, we used cash for the repayment of debt totaling $460.3 million, payment of dividends on our Common Stock totaling $45.1 million and repurchases of our Common Stock totaling $80.8 million.
During fiscal year 2014, we received $528.6 million from borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and $15.4 million in proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock issued upon exercise of stock options. During fiscal year 2014, we used cash for the repayment of debt totaling $512.5 million, payment of deferred financing fees totaling $15.5 million, payment of dividends on our Common Stock totaling $36.3 million and repurchase of our Common Stock totaling $77.7 million. Additionally, during
fiscal year 2014, we received $106.1 million for progress payments we had made on aircraft under construction and assigned any future payments due on these construction agreements to the purchaser.
During fiscal year 2013, we received $225.0 million from borrowings under our 364-Day Credit Agreement, $450.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of our 6 ¼% Senior Notes and $15.3 million in proceeds from the issuance of our Common Stock upon exercise of stock options. We used $663.9 million for the repayment of debt and debt redemption premiums (including $364.9 million for early redemption of our 7 1/2% Senior Notes and $225.0 million for the repayment of our 364-Day Credit Facility), $28.7 million for payment of dividends on our Common Stock, $10.3 million for debt issuance costs and $1.2 million for the repurchase
of our Common Stock.
Future Cash Requirements
Debt Obligations
Total debt as of March 31, 2015 was $864.4 million, of which $18.7 million was classified as current. Our significant debt maturities relate to our 6 ¼% Senior Notes, Term Loan and 3% Convertible Senior Notes, which mature in calendar years 2022, 2019 and 2038, respectively, with the first put date for the 3% Convertible Senior Notes on June 15, 2015.
See further discussion of outstanding debt as of March 31, 2015
and our debt issuances and our debt redemptions in Note 5 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Pension Obligations
As of March 31, 2015, we had recorded on our balance sheet a $99.6 million pension liability related to the Bristow Helicopters Limited, Bristow International Aviation (Guernsey) Limited and Bristow Norway AS pension plans. The liability represents the excess of the present value of the defined benefit pension plan liabilities over the fair value of plan assets that existed at that date. The minimum funding rules of the U.K. require the employer to agree to a funding plan with the plans’ trustee (the “Trustee”) for
securing that the pension plan has sufficient and appropriate assets to meet its technical provisions liabilities. In addition, where there is a shortfall in assets against this measure, we are required to make scheduled contributions in amounts sufficient to bring the plan up to 100% funded as quickly as can be reasonably afforded. We pre-funded the employer deficit recovery contributions for the main U.K. pension plan for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014 in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 in the amount of £12.5 million ($18.6 million), £12.5 million ($20.8 million), and £12.5 million ($19.0 million), respectively. Under U.K. legislation, an actuarial valuation must be carried out at least once
every three years with interim reports for intervening years. The next tri-annual valuation will be in March 2016. The Bristow Norway pension plan will require contributions of approximately £92.6 million ($137.4 million) in total for fiscal years 2016 through 2025. See further discussion of our pension plans in Note 9 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments, interest payments and other executory contracts
are not recognized as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet but are included in the table below. For example, we are contractually committed to make certain minimum lease payments for the use of property and equipment under operating lease agreements.
The following tables summarize our significant contractual obligations and other commercial commitments on an undiscounted basis as of March 31, 2015 and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash. In addition, the table reflects
the timing of principal and interest payments on outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2015. Additional details regarding these obligations are provided in Note 5, 6, 7 and 9 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Payments
Due by Period
Fiscal Year Ending March 31,
Total
2016
2017 -
2018
2019 -
2020
2021
and
beyond
(In thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Long-term
debt and short-term borrowings:
Principal (1)
$
865,757
$
18,730
$
57,425
$
264,749
$
524,853
Interest
(2)
308,360
35,942
69,868
62,931
139,619
Aircraft
operating leases (3)
660,293
158,066
292,857
182,371
26,999
Other
operating leases (4)
92,781
8,378
16,662
16,126
51,615
Pension
obligations (5)
212,154
29,857
60,961
46,388
74,948
Aircraft
purchase obligations
668,331
416,617
164,483
87,231
—
Other
purchase obligations (6)
308,244
38,189
57,210
59,810
153,035
Total
contractual cash obligations
$
3,115,920
$
705,779
$
719,466
$
719,606
$
971,069
Other
commercial commitments:
Letters of credit
$
10,717
$
10,269
$
448
$
—
$
—
Contingent
consideration (7)
55,894
41,466
11,372
3,056
—
Total
commercial commitments
$
66,611
$
51,735
$
11,820
$
3,056
$
—
_________________
(1)
Excludes
unamortized discount of $0.9 million and $0.4 million on the 3% Convertible Senior Notes and Term Loan, respectively. We have assumed that holders of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes do not exercise their right to require us to repurchase their notes on the first put date of June 15, 2015.
(2)
Interest payments for variable interest debt are based on interest rates as of March 31, 2015.
(3)
Represents
separate operating leases for aircraft. During fiscal year 2015, we entered into 25 new aircraft operating leases.
(4)
Represents minimum rental payments required under non-aircraft operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year.
(5)
Represents expected funding for pension benefits in future periods. These amounts are undiscounted and are based on the expectation that both
the U.K. and Norway pension plans will be fully funded in approximately three years. As of March 31, 2015, we had recorded on our balance sheet a $99.6 million pension liability associated with these obligations. The timing of funding our plans is dependent on actuarial valuations and resulting negotiations with the plan trustees.
(6)
Other purchase obligations primarily represent unfilled purchase orders for aircraft parts, commitments associated with upgrading facilities at our bases and non-cancelable power-by-the-hour maintenance commitments.
(7)
The
Cougar purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of $40 million payable over three years based on Cougar achieving certain agreed performance targets. During fiscal year 2014, the first year earn-out payment of $6.0 million was paid as Cougar achieved agreed performance targets. The fair value of the earn-out was $32.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and is included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The second year earn-out payment of $8.0 million was paid in April 2015 as Cougar achieved agreed performance targets. The Eastern Airways purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of £6 million ($10 million) over a three year period, which is contingent upon both the achievement of agreed performance targets and the continued employment of the selling shareholders. The first year earn-out payment was not achieved. The Airnorth purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of A$17
million ($13.0 million) to be paid over four years. The fair value of a portion of the Airnorth earn-out, which is contingent upon the achievement of agreed performance targets, is A$8.4 million ($6.4 million) as of March 31, 2015 and is included in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities and deferred credits on our consolidated balance sheet. The remaining A$7 million ($5.3 million) of the Airnorth earn-out, which is contingent upon both the achievement of agreed performance targets and the continued employment of the selling shareholders, will be included as general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income as earned. The earn-outs for Cougar and Airnorth will be remeasured to fair value at each reporting date until the contingency is resolved and any changes in estimated fair value will be recorded as accretion expense included in depreciation and amortization on our consolidated statements
of income.
Undrawn
borrowing capacity on Revolving Credit Facility (1)
265,715
325,515
Total liquidity
$
369,861
$
529,856
Adjusted
debt to equity ratio (2)
99.7
%
76.4
%
_______________
(1)
In April 2015, we increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $350 million to $400 million and increased the
Term Loan borrowings to $350 million.
(2)
Adjusted debt includes the net present value of operating leases totaling $640.0 million and $411.6 million, respectively, letters of credit, bank guarantees and financial guarantees totaling $10.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and the unfunded pension liability totaling $99.6 million and $86.8 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Adjusted debt to equity ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our financial position.
We actively manage our liquidity through generation of cash from operations while assessing our funding needs on an ongoing basis. While we have generated significant cash from operations, financing cash flows have also been a significant source of liquidity over the past several years. The significant factors that affect our overall liquidity include capital expenditure commitments, pension funding, operating leases, adequacy of bank lines of credit and our ability to attract long-term capital on satisfactory terms.
Substantially all of our cash balances are held outside the U.S. and are generally used to meet the liquidity needs of our non-U.S. operations. Most of our cash held outside the U.S. could
be repatriated to the U.S., but under current law, any such repatriation would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, as adjusted for applicable foreign tax credits. We have provided for U.S. federal income taxes on undistributed foreign earnings where we have determined that such earnings are not indefinitely reinvested. We expect to meet the continuing funding requirements of our U.S. operations with cash generated by such U.S. operations, cash from earnings generated by non-U.S. operations that are not indefinitely reinvested and our existing Revolving Credit Facility. If cash held by non-U.S. operations is required for funding operations in the U.S., and if U.S. tax has not previously been provided on the earnings of such operations, we would make a provision for additional U.S. tax in connection with repatriating this cash, which may be material to our cash flows and results of operations.
We expect that our cash on deposit
as of March 31, 2015 of $104.1 million, cash flow from operations, proceeds from aircraft sales and from the sale and leaseback of owned aircraft, available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility, as well as future financings, as needed, will be sufficient to satisfy our capital commitments, including our aircraft purchase commitments to service our oil and gas clients, remaining anticipated capital requirements in connection with our U.K. SAR contract of approximately $972.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and our obligation to repurchase our 3% Convertible Senior Notes at the option of the holders on June
15, 2015. The available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility was of $265.7 million as of March 31, 2015. In April 2015, we increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $350 million to $400 million and increased the Term Loan borrowings to $350 million. While we plan to continue to be disciplined concerning future capital commitments, we also intend to continue managing our capital structure and liquidity position with external financings as needed. Our strategy will involve funding our short-term liquidity requirements with borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and funding our long-term financing needs, while maintaining a prudent capital structure,
among the following alternatives: operating leases, bank debt, private and public debt, and equity offerings.
See our discussion of the impact of market risk, including our exposure to currency fluctuations, on our financial position and results of operations discussed under Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by generally accepted accounting principles, whereas, in other circumstances, generally accepted accounting principles require us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon information available. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, professional advice and various other sources that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, as discussed in Note 1
in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report, the following involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity. Our management has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our board of directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosure.
Taxes
Our annual tax provision is based on expected taxable income, statutory rates and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The determination and evaluation of our annual tax provision and tax positions involves the interpretation of the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate and requires significant judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions regarding significant future events such as the amount, timing and character of income,
deductions and tax credits. Changes in tax laws, regulations, agreements, tax treaties and foreign currency exchange restrictions or our level of operations or profitability in each jurisdiction would impact our tax liability in any given year. We also operate in many jurisdictions where the tax laws relating to the offshore oil service industry are open to interpretation which could potentially result in tax authorities asserting additional tax liabilities. While our annual tax provision is based on the best information available at the time, a number of years may elapse before the ultimate tax liabilities in the various jurisdictions are determined.
We recognize foreign tax credits available to us to offset the U.S. income taxes due on income earned from foreign sources. These credits are limited by the total income tax on the U.S. income tax return as well as by the ratio of foreign source income in each statutory category
to total income. In estimating the amount of foreign tax credits that are realizable, we estimate future taxable income in each statutory category. These estimates are subject to change based on changes in the market conditions in each statutory category and the timing of certain deductions available to us in each statutory category. We periodically reassess these estimates and record changes to the amount of realizable foreign tax credits based on these revised estimates. Changes to the amount of realizable foreign tax credits can be significant given any material change to our estimates on which the realizability of foreign tax credits is based.
We maintain reserves for estimated income tax exposures in jurisdictions of operation. The expenses reported for these taxes, including our annual tax provision, include the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that we consider appropriate, as well as related interest.
Tax exposure items primarily include potential challenges to intercompany pricing, disposition transactions and the applicability or rate of various withholding taxes. These exposures are resolved primarily through the settlement of audits within these tax jurisdictions or by judicial means, but can also be affected by changes in applicable tax law or other factors, which could cause us to conclude that a revision of past estimates is appropriate. We believe that an appropriate liability has been established for estimated exposures. However, actual results may differ materially from these estimates. We review these liabilities quarterly. During fiscal years 2015 and 2013, we had accruals of reserves for estimated tax exposures of $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and during fiscal year 2014, we had net reversals of reserves for estimated tax exposures of $1.5 million.
We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of our provision for income taxes. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had $4.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an impact on our effective tax rate, if recognized. The $4.2 million recorded in fiscal year 2014 relates to pre-acquisition tax matters for the February 2014 acquisition of a 60% interest in Eastern Airways and are the subject of an indemnity, for which a corresponding indemnity asset has been established for the same amount.
We
do not believe it is possible to reasonably estimate the potential effect of changes to the assumptions and estimates identified because the resulting change to our tax liability, if any, is dependent on numerous factors which cannot be reasonably estimated. These include, among others, the amount and nature of additional taxes potentially asserted by local tax authorities; the willingness of local tax authorities to negotiate a fair settlement through an administrative process; the impartiality of the local courts; and the potential for changes in the tax paid to one country to either produce, or fail to produce, an offsetting tax change in other countries. Our experience has been that the estimates and assumptions we have used to provide for future tax assessments have proven to be appropriate. However, past experience is only a guide and the potential exists that the tax resulting from the resolution of current and potential future tax controversies may differ materially
from the amounts accrued.
Judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. When it is estimated to be more-likely-than-not that all or some portion of specific deferred tax assets, such as foreign tax credit carryovers or net operating
loss carry forwards, will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of the deferred tax assets that are estimated to not be realizable. As of March 31, 2015,
we have established deferred tax assets for foreign taxes we expect to be realizable. Our ability to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets requires that we achieve certain future earnings levels prior to the expiration of our foreign tax credit carryforwards. In the event that our earnings performance projections or future financial conditions do not indicate that we will be able to benefit from our deferred tax assets, valuation allowances would be established following the “more-likely-than-not” criteria. We periodically evaluate our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets and, in accordance with accounting guidance related to accounting for income taxes, will record any resulting adjustments that may be required to deferred income tax expense in the period for which an existing estimate changes. If our facts or financial results were to change, thereby impacting the likelihood of establishing and then realizing the deferred tax assets, judgment
would have to be applied to determine changes to the amount of the valuation allowance in any given period. Such changes could result in either a decrease or an increase in our provision for income taxes, depending on whether the change in judgment resulted in an increase or a decrease to the valuation allowance. We continually evaluate strategies that could allow for the future utilization of our deferred tax assets.
We consider the earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. on the basis of estimates that future cash generation will be sufficient to meet future U.S. cash needs and specific plans for foreign reinvestment of those earnings. As such, we have not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on the unremitted earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries
as of March 31, 2015 that are indefinitely invested abroad of $805.3 million. Should we decide to make distributions from the unremitted earnings of these subsidiaries in the future, additional tax liabilities would arise, offset by any available foreign tax credits. At the current time, a determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practical.
We have not provided for deferred taxes in circumstances where we expect that, due to the structure of operations and applicable law, the operations in such jurisdictions will not give rise to future tax consequences. Should our expectations change regarding the expected future tax consequences, we may be required to record additional
deferred taxes that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Property and Equipment
Our net property and equipment represents 67% of our total assets as of March 31, 2015. We determine the carrying value of these assets based on our property and equipment accounting policies, which incorporate our estimates, assumptions, and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage values of our assets.
Our property and equipment accounting policies are also designed to depreciate our assets over their estimated useful lives. The assumptions and judgments we use in determining the estimated useful lives and residual values of our aircraft reflect both historical
experience and expectations regarding future operations, utilization and performance of our assets. The use of different estimates, assumptions and judgments in the establishment of property and equipment accounting policies, especially those involving the useful lives and residual values of our aircraft, would likely result in materially different net book values of our assets and results of operations.
Useful lives and residual values of aircraft are difficult to estimate due to a variety of factors, including changes in operating conditions or environment, the introduction of technological advances in aviation equipment, changes in market or economic conditions, including changes in demand for certain types of aircraft, and changes in laws or regulations affecting the aviation or offshore oil and gas industry. We evaluate the remaining useful lives of our aircraft when certain events occur that directly impact our assessment
of their remaining useful lives. Our consideration of ultimate residual value takes into account current expectations of fair market value and the expected time to ultimate disposal. The determination of the ultimate value to be received upon sale depends largely upon the condition of the aircraft and the flight time left on the aircraft and major components until the next major maintenance check is required. The future value also depends on the aftermarket that exists as of that date, which can differ substantially over time.
We review our property and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of assets or asset groups may be impaired or when reclassifications are made between property and equipment and assets held for sale.
Asset impairment evaluations are based on estimated undiscounted cash flows for the assets being evaluated.
If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, we would be required to recognize an impairment loss. When determining fair value, we utilize various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts. In such event, we would then be required to record a corresponding charge, which would reduce our earnings. We continue to evaluate our estimates and assumptions and believe that our assumptions, which include an estimate of future cash flows based upon the anticipated performance of the underlying contracts, are appropriate.
Supply and demand are the key drivers of aircraft idle time and our ability to contract our aircraft at economical rates. During periods of oversupply, it is not uncommon for us to have aircraft idled for extended periods of time, which could be an indication that an asset group may be impaired. In most instances our aircraft could be used interchangeably. In addition, our aircraft are generally equipped to operate throughout the world. Because our aircraft are mobile, we may move aircraft from a weak geographic market to a stronger geographic market if an adequate opportunity arises to do so. As such, our aircraft are considered to be interchangeable within classes or asset groups and accordingly, our impairment evaluation is made by asset group. Additionally, our management periodically makes strategic decisions
related to our fleet that involve the possible removal of all or a substantial portion of specific aircraft types from our fleet, at which time these aircraft are reclassified to held for sale and subsequently sold or otherwise disposed of.
For aircraft types that are still operating where management has made the decision to sell or abandon the aircraft type at a fixed date, an analysis is completed to determine whether depreciation needs to be accelerated or additional depreciation recorded for an expected reduction in residual value at the planned disposal date.
Where a determination has been made to exit an entire asset group, the asset group is reviewed for potential impairment. An impairment loss is recorded in the period in which it is determined that the aggregate carrying amount of assets within an asset group is not recoverable. This requires us to make judgments regarding
long-term forecasts of future revenue and cost related to the assets subject to review. In turn, these forecasts are uncertain in that they require assumptions about demand for our services, future market conditions and technological developments. Significant and unanticipated changes to these assumptions could require a provision for impairment in a future period. Given the nature of these evaluations and their application to specific asset groups and specific times, it is not possible to reasonably quantify the impact of changes in these assumptions.
Pension Benefits
Pension obligations are actuarially determined and are affected by assumptions including discount rates, compensation increases and employee turnover rates. The recognition of these obligations through the statement of income is also affected by assumptions about expected returns on plan assets. We evaluate our assumptions
periodically and make adjustments to these assumptions and the recorded liabilities as necessary.
Three of the most critical assumptions are the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the assumed discount rate and the mortality rate. We evaluate our assumptions regarding the estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets based on historical experience and future expectations on investment returns, which are calculated by our third-party investment advisor utilizing the asset allocation classes held by the plans’ portfolios. We utilize a British pound sterling denominated AA corporate bond index as a basis for determining the discount rate for our U.K. plans and NOK-denominated corporate bonds that are credit-rated AA or AAA as a basis for determining the discount rate for our Norway plan. We base mortality rates utilized on actuarial research on these rates, which are adjusted to allow for expected mortality within
our industry segment and, where available, individual plan experience data. Changes in these and other assumptions used in the actuarial computations could impact our projected benefit obligations, pension liabilities, pension expense and other comprehensive income. We base our determination of pension expense on a fair value valuation of assets and an amortization approach for assessed gains and losses that reduces year-to-year volatility. This approach recognizes investment and other actuarial gains or losses over the average remaining lifetime of the plan members. Investment gains or losses for this purpose are the difference between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets and the actual return based on the market-related value of assets.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We establish allowances for doubtful accounts on a case-by-case basis when we
believe the payment of amounts owed to us is unlikely to occur. In establishing these allowances, we consider a number of factors, including our historical experience, changes in our client’s financial position and restrictions placed on the conversion of local currency to U.S. dollars, as well as disputes with clients regarding the application of contract provisions to our services.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from services to major integrated oil and gas companies and government-owned or government-controlled oil and gas companies. Our receivables are concentrated in certain oil-producing countries. We generally do not require collateral or other security to support client receivables. If the financial condition of our clients was to deteriorate or their access to freely-convertible currency was restricted, resulting
in impairment of their ability to make the required payments, additional allowances may be required.
We maintain inventory that primarily consists of spare parts to service our aircraft. We establish an allowance to distribute the cost of spare parts expected to be on hand at the end of an aircraft type’s life over the service lives of the related equipment, taking into account the estimated salvage value of the parts. Also, we periodically review the condition and continuing usefulness of the parts to determine whether the realizable value of this
inventory is lower than its book value. Parts related to aircraft types that our management has determined will no longer be included in our fleet or will be substantially reduced in our fleet in future periods are specifically reviewed. If our valuation of these parts is significantly lower than the book value of the parts, an additional provision may be required.
Contingent Liabilities
We establish reserves for estimated loss contingencies when we believe a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Our contingent liability reserves relate primarily to potential tax assessments, litigation, personal injury claims and environmental liabilities. Income for each reporting period includes revisions to contingent liability reserves resulting from different facts or information which becomes known or circumstances which change and affect our previous assumptions
with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Such revisions are based on information which becomes known or circumstances that change after the reporting date for the previous period through the reporting date of the current period. Reserves for contingent liabilities are based upon our assumptions and estimates regarding the probable outcome of the matter. Should the outcome differ from our assumptions and estimates or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimated reserves, revisions to the estimated reserves for contingent liabilities would be required to be recognized.
Goodwill Impairment
We perform a test for impairment of our goodwill annually as of March 31 and whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. We first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit
is less than its carrying amount and if a quantitative assessment should be performed. An entity may also bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. Because our business is cyclical in nature, goodwill could be significantly impaired depending on when the assessment is performed in the business cycle. As of March 31, 2015, we performed a qualitative analysis and concluded it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is not less than the carrying value and, therefore, did not perform a quantitative analysis for the reporting units with goodwill except for Bristow Academy, which is included within Corporate and other for segment reporting purposes. Bristow Academy's fiscal year 2015 results were lower than internal expectations; therefore, we performed a quantitative
analysis as of March 31, 2015 and concluded that the fair value of the reporting unit was 18.3% more than the carrying value for Bristow Academy. Accordingly, the annual impairment assessment as of March 31, 2015 indicated that there is no impairment of goodwill. The qualitative factors considered during our assessment include the capital markets environment, global economic conditions, the demand for helicopter services, the necessity for training of new pilots (Bristow Academy only), changes in our results of operations, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount of each reporting unit as determined in prior years’ quantitative testing and other factors. The fair value of our reporting units is based on a blend of estimated discounted cash flows, publicly traded company multiples and acquisition multiples
and involve the use of a discounted cash flow model utilizing estimated future earnings and cash flows and our weighted-average cost of capital. Publicly traded company multiples and acquisition multiples are derived from information on traded shares and analysis of recent acquisitions in the marketplace, respectively, for companies with operations similar to ours. Changes in the assumptions used in the fair value calculation could result in an estimated reporting unit fair value that is below the carrying value, which may give rise to an impairment of goodwill.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are subject to certain market risks arising from the use of financial instruments in the ordinary course of business. This risk arises primarily as a result of potential changes in the fair market value of financial instruments that would result from adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, credit risk and interest rates as discussed below. The sensitivity analyses presented do not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor do they consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ. See the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a description of our accounting policies
and other information related to these financial instruments.
Foreign Currency Risk
Through our foreign operations, we are exposed to currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. The majority of our revenue and expense from our North Sea operations are in British pound sterling. Approximately 32% of our gross revenue for fiscal year 2015 was translated for financial reporting purposes from British pound sterling into U.S. dollars. In addition, some of our contracts to provide services internationally provide for payment in foreign currencies. Our foreign exchange rate risk is even greater when our revenue is denominated in a currency different from the associated costs. We attempt to minimize our foreign exchange rate exposure by contracting the
majority of our services other than our North Sea operations in U.S. dollars. As a result, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the local cost of our services that are provided under U.S. dollar denominated contracts, which may reduce the demand for our services in certain foreign countries. Except as described below, we do not enter into hedging transactions to protect against foreign exchange risks related to our revenue.
Throughout fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, our primary foreign currency exposure has been to the British pound sterling, the euro, the Australian dollar, the Norwegian kroner, and the Nigerian naira. The value of these currencies has fluctuated relative to the U.S. dollar as indicated
in the following table:
Our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are also affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates. Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, were decreased by $25.7 million, $3.9 million and $3.9 million during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as a result of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real to U.S. dollar exchange rate on earnings from our affiliate in Brazil. The value of the Brazilian real has fluctuated relative to the U.S.
dollar as indicated in the following table:
A hypothetical 10% change in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate relative to other currencies would have affected our revenue, operating expense and operating
income for fiscal year 2015 as follows:
British
pound
sterling
Euro
Australian
dollar
Nigerian
Naira
Norwegian
kroner
Revenue
3.7
%
0.2
%
1.0
%
0.3
%
1.0
%
Operating
expense
3.3
%
0.2
%
1.1
%
0.5
%
1.0
%
Operating
income
6.7
%
0.1
%
0.6
%
(1.8
)%
0.9
%
The
effect of the hypothetical change in exchange rates ignores the effect this movement may have on other variables, including competitive risk. If it were possible to quantify this competitive risk impact, the results could be different from the sensitivity effects shown above. In addition, all currencies may not uniformly strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. In reality, some currencies may weaken while others may strengthen.
In the past three fiscal years, our stockholders’ investment has decreased by $69.0 million as a result of translation adjustments. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.
As a result of the changes in exchange rates, we recorded foreign currency transaction losses of $6.5 million, $3.7 million
and $1.1 million during fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
We estimate that the fluctuation of these currencies for fiscal year 2015 versus the prior fiscal year had the following effect on our financial condition and results of operations, net of the effect of the derivative contracts discussed below (in thousands):
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
(21,817
)
Non-operating expense
(2,848
)
Income before provision for income taxes
(22,216
)
Provision
from income taxes
4,665
Net income
(17,551
)
Cumulative translation adjustment
(76,845
)
Total stockholders’ investment
$
(94,396
)
A
hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of the foreign currencies in which our business is denominated relative to the U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2015 would result in an $18.8 million decrease in the fair value of our net monetary assets denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.
The market for our services and products is primarily the offshore oil and gas industry, and our clients consist primarily of major
integrated, national and independent oil and gas producers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our clients and have not historically required collateral. We maintain allowances for potential credit losses.
Cash equivalents, which consist of funds invested in highly-liquid debt instruments with original maturities of 90 days or less, are held by major banks or investment firms, and we believe that credit risk in these instruments is minimal. We also manage our credit risk by not entering into complex financial transactions or those with a perceived high level of credit risk.
For more information on the impact of the global market conditions see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview — Market Outlook” and Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Financial Condition and Sources of Liquidity” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Interest Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2015, we had $864.4 million of debt outstanding, of which $347.8 million carried a variable rate of interest. The market value of our fixed rate debt fluctuates with changes in interest rates. The fair value of our debt has been estimated in accordance with the accounting standard regarding fair value. The fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices. The carrying and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, were as follows (in thousands):
If
prevailing market interest rates had been 1% higher as of March 31, 2015, and all other factors affecting our debt remained the same, the fair value of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes and the 3% Convertible Senior Notes would have decreased by $39.0 million or 7.8%, respectively. Under comparable sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2014, the fair value of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes and 3% Convertible Senior Notes would have decreased by $53.4 million or 8.6%, respectively.
Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bristow Group Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ investment for each of the years in the three-year
period ended March 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We
also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Bristow Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated May 20, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
(1)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 excluded $2.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, allocable to temporary equity.
(2) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 excluded $3.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, allocable to temporary equity.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Note 1 — OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Operations
Bristow Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its consolidated entities, unless the context requires otherwise, “Bristow Group”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on
the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. With a fleet of 501 aircraft as of March 31, 2015, including 130 held by unconsolidated affiliates, Bristow Group and its affiliates conduct major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore energy regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. We and our affiliates provide private sector search and rescue (“SAR”) services in Australia, Canada, Norway, Russia and Trinidad, and we provide public sector SAR services in North Scotland on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Additionally, in March 2013, we were awarded a contract
to provide public sector SAR services for all of the U.K. (the “U.K. SAR contract”) that commenced in April 2015. Certain of our affiliates also provide fixed wing charter and scheduled services targeting U.K. and Australia oil and gas industry transport, helicopter military training and helicopter flight training.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bristow Group Inc. and its consolidated entities after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Investments in affiliates in which we have a majority voting interest and entities that meet the criteria of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which we are the primary beneficiary are consolidated. See discussion of VIEs in Note 3.
We apply the equity method of accounting for investments in entities if we have the ability to exercise significant influence over an entity that (a) does not meet the variable interest entity criteria or (b) meets the variable interest entity criteria, but for which we are not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We apply the cost method of accounting for investments in other entities if we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the unconsolidated affiliate. These investments in private companies are carried at cost and are adjusted only for capital distributions and other-than-temporary declines in value. Dividends from cost method investments are recognized in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, when paid.
Effective January 29, 2015, we acquired and began consolidating Capiteq Limited which operates under the name Airnorth. Effective
February 6, 2014, we acquired and began consolidating Eastern Airways International Limited (“Eastern Airways”). See Note 2 for further details.
Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 is referred to as fiscal year 2015.
Certain reclassifications of prior period information have been made to conform to the presentation of the current period information. These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use
of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Areas where accounting estimates are made by management include:
•
Allowances for doubtful accounts;
•
Inventory
allowances;
•
Property and equipment;
•
Goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets;
•
Pension benefits;
•
Contingent
liabilities; and
•
Taxes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Our cash equivalents include funds invested in highly-liquid debt instruments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Accounts Receivable — Trade and other receivables are stated at net realizable value. We grant short-term credit to our clients, primarily major integrated, national and independent oil and gas companies. We establish allowances for doubtful accounts on a case-by-case basis when a determination is made that the required payment is unlikely to occur. In establishing these allowances, we consider a number of factors, including our historical experience, change in our clients’ financial position and restrictions placed on the conversion of local currency into U.S. dollars, as well as disputes with clients regarding the application of contract provisions to our services.
The following table is a rollforward of the
allowance for doubtful accounts, including affiliates and non-affiliates (in thousands):
During
fiscal year 2013, the allowance for doubtful accounts for non-affiliates was increased by $4.9 million related to amounts due from ATP Oil and Gas Corporation, a client in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, due to its filing for bankruptcy. During fiscal year 2015, the allowance recorded for ATP was reversed as we settled outstanding matters related to ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, which resulted in a $4.4 million reduction in bad debt expense, included within direct cost on our consolidated statements of income. The remaining amount of $0.5 million related to ATP was written off as no further settlement is expected. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no allowances for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable due from affiliates.
Inventories
— Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market value and consist primarily of spare parts. The following table is a rollforward of the allowance related to dormant, obsolete and excess inventory (in thousands):
During
fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we increased our inventory allowance by $4.9 million and $6.8 million, respectively, as a result of our periodic assessment of inventory that was dormant, obsolete or excess within our operational fleet of aircraft.
During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we recorded impairment charges of $7.2 million and $12.7 million, respectively, to write-down certain spare parts within inventories to market value. These impairment charges resulted from the identification of $19.1 million and $50.5 million, respectively, of inventory that was dormant, obsolete or excess based on a review of our future inventory needs related to changes to our
fleet strategy and plans. The fiscal year 2015 impairment charge related primarily to spare parts held for a large aircraft model where we decided to accelerate removal from our fleet into fiscal year 2016. The fiscal year 2014 impairment charge related primarily to spare parts held for a medium aircraft model where we have decided to remove this model from our fleet over the next two fiscal years. As we had intended to operate these model types longer in certain markets, we identified excess inventory that would not be used on our aircraft and therefore needed to be sold or otherwise disposed of. These impairment charges are included on a separate line within operating expense on the consolidated statements of income.
Also during fiscal year 2014, we wrote off $11.1 million of inventory destroyed in a fire at our Port Harcourt facility
in Nigeria, which was insured and therefore fully offset by a receivable recorded of $11.1 million for insurance proceeds. See Note 4 for further details on the fire in Port Harcourt.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets — As of March 31,
2015 and 2014, prepaid expenses and other current assets included the short-term portion of contract acquisition and pre-operating costs totaling $8.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively, related to the SAR contracts in the U.K. and a client contract in Norway which are recoverable under the contracts and will be expensed over the terms of the contracts.
During fiscal year 2015, we have expensed $2.6 million due to the start-up of some of these contracts.
Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment includes construction in progress, primarily consisting of progress payments on aircraft purchases and facility construction, of $306.0 million and $477.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest costs applicable to the construction
of qualifying assets are capitalized as a component of the cost of such assets.
Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of aircraft generally range from 5 to 15 years, and the residual value used in calculating depreciation of aircraft generally ranges from 30% to 50% of cost. The estimated useful lives for buildings on owned properties range from 15 to 40 years. Other depreciable assets are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 15 years,
except for leasehold improvements which are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life of the improvement or the lease term (including any period where we have options to renew if it is probable that we will renew the lease). The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets.
We capitalize betterments and improvements to our aircraft and amortize such costs over the remaining useful lives of the aircraft. Betterments and improvements increase the life or utility of an aircraft.
Effective April 1, 2014, we changed the useful lives of certain non-aircraft assets. These changes were driven by our annual review of useful lives and impacted our depreciation on
the assets. During fiscal year 2015, we recorded a reduction of approximately $3.5 million (or approximately $0.08 of diluted earnings per share) in depreciation expense as a result of this change in useful lives.
For further details on property and equipment, see Note 4.
Goodwill — Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but is assessed for impairment annually as of March 31.
Goodwill totaling $75.6 million and $56.7 million
as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, relates to our business units as follows (in thousands):
To
complete our annual assessment of goodwill impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and if a quantitative assessment should be performed. As of March 31, 2015, we performed a qualitative analysis and concluded it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is not less than the carrying value and, therefore, did not perform a quantitative analysis for the reporting units with goodwill except for Bristow Academy, which is included within Corporate and other for segment reporting purposes in Note 11. Bristow Academy's fiscal year 2015 results were lower than internal expectations; therefore, we performed a quantitative analysis as of March 31, 2015 and concluded that the fair value
of the reporting unit was 18.3% more than the carrying value for Bristow Academy. Accordingly, the annual impairment assessment as of March 31, 2015 indicated that there is no impairment of goodwill. Qualitative factors considered during our assessments included the capital markets environment, global economic conditions, the demand for helicopter services, the necessity for training of new pilots (Bristow Academy only), changes in our results of operations, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount of each reporting unit as determined in prior years’ quantitative testing and other factors. In addition to the annual assessment, an impairment assessment of goodwill is
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
conducted when events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. During fiscal year 2014, we impaired our goodwill in our Other International business unit related to Mexico as all of the contracts in Mexico had expired. As of March 31, 2015, goodwill totaling approximately $4.8 million is expected to be deductible for
tax purposes. For further details on the Eastern Airways and the Airnorth acquisitions, see Note 2.
Other Intangible Assets — Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Intangible assets by type were as follows (in thousands):
Weighted
average remaining contractual life, in years
1.6
17.5
14.9
3.8
3.0
10.3
Future
amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years ending March 31 are as follows (in thousands):
2016
$
2,114
2017
1,553
2018
1,472
2019
1,200
2020
996
Thereafter
10,880
$
18,215
The
Bristow Norway and Eastern Airways acquisitions, included in our Europe business unit, resulted in intangible assets for client contracts, client relationships, trade name and trademarks, internally developed software and licenses. The Airnorth acquisition, included in our Australia business unit, resulted in intangible assets for client contracts, client relationships and trade name and trademarks. For further details on the Eastern Airways and Airnorth acquisitions, see Note 2.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to be held and used exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Assets held for sale are classified as current assets on our consolidated balance sheets and recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale (if any) are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheets. We recorded impairment charges of $36.1 million, $6.8 million and $4.4 million included in gain (loss) on disposal
of assets to reduce the carrying value of aircraft held for sale in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
During fiscal year 2013, we reclassified four large aircraft previously classified as held for sale to aircraft
and equipment as they were returned to operational status as a result of the issues associated with H225 Super Puma helicopter and we reversed previously recorded impairment charges of $8.7 million. This reversal of charges is included in gain (loss) on disposal of assets on the consolidated statements of income for fiscal year 2013. See further discussion in Note 4.
Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates — We perform regular reviews of each investee’s financial condition, the business outlook for its products and services, and its present and projected results and cash flows. When an investee has experienced consistent declines in financial performance or difficulties raising capital to continue operations, and when we expect the decline to be other-than-temporary, the investment is written down
to fair value. Actual results may vary from estimates due to the uncertainty regarding the projected financial performance of investees, the severity and expected duration of declines in value, and the available liquidity in the capital markets to support the continuing operations of the investees in which we have investments. We did not recognize any impairment charges related to our investments in unconsolidated affiliates in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Other Assets — In addition to the intangible assets discussed above, other assets primarily include debt issuance costs of $10.0 million and $12.3 million as of March 31,
2015 and 2014, respectively, which are being amortized over the life of the related debt, deferred tax assets of $50.7 million and $17.6 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and the long-term portion of contract acquisition and pre-operating costs totaling $42.4 million and $15.2 million as of March 31,
2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the SAR contracts in the U.K. and a client contract in Norway which are recoverable under the contracts and will be expensed over the terms of the contracts.
Contingent Liabilities — We establish reserves for estimated loss contingencies when we believe a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Our contingent liability reserves relate primarily to potential
tax assessments, litigation, personal injury claims and environmental liabilities. Income for each reporting period includes revisions to contingent liability reserves resulting from different facts or information which become known or circumstances which change and affect our previous assumptions with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss. Such revisions are based on information which becomes known or circumstances that change after the reporting date for the previous period through the reporting date of the current period. Reserves for contingent liabilities are based upon our assumptions and estimates regarding the probable outcome of the matter. Should the outcome differ from our assumptions and estimates or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimated reserves, revisions to the estimated reserves for contingent liabilities would be required to be recognized. Legal costs are expensed as incurred.
Proceeds
from casualty insurance settlements in excess of the carrying value of damaged assets are recognized in gain (loss) on disposal of assets when we have received proof of loss documentation or are otherwise assured of collection of these amounts.
Some of our acquisitions include a provision that provides for additional consideration to be paid to the sellers of the acquired company based on the achievement of specified performance thresholds. In such cases, we record the obligations to pay those amounts at fair value at the acquisition date and include such obligations in the consideration transferred. This contingent consideration obligation is included in other accrued liabilities for the current portion and other liabilities and deferred credits for the long-term portion on our consolidated balance sheet. We assess the estimated fair value of the contractual obligation to pay the contingent consideration on a quarterly basis
and any changes in estimated fair value are recorded as accretion expense included in depreciation and amortization on our consolidated statements of income. In other cases, additional consideration is based on the achievement of performance thresholds and continued employment with the Company. In these cases, we record such amounts in general and administrative expense when such additional consideration is earned. See Note 2 for a discussion on our acquisitions, Note 3 for a discussion on contingent consideration obligations related to our investments in unconsolidated affiliates and Note 6 for details on the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation.
Deferred Sale Leaseback Advance
— As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, we had a total deferred sale leaseback advance of $55.9 million and $166.3 million, of which the current portion is included in deferred sale leaseback advance ($55.9 million and $136.9 million) and the long-term portion is included in other liabilities and deferred credits (zero and $29.4 million) on our consolidated balance sheets. During fiscal year 2014, we received payment of approximately $106.1
million for progress payments we had previously made on seven aircraft under construction, and we assigned any future payments due on these construction agreements to the purchaser. As we had the obligation and intent to lease the aircraft back from the purchaser upon completion, we recorded a liability equal to the cash received and payments made by the purchaser totaling $129.9 million, with a corresponding increase to construction in progress. During fiscal year 2015, we took delivery and entered into leases for five of these aircraft and removed a total of $183.7 million and $182.6 million, respectively, from construction in progress and deferred sale leaseback advance,
current on our consolidated balance sheet. We will continue to increase both construction in progress and
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
deferred sale leaseback advance, current or long-term, until we lease the remaining two aircraft, at which time the construction in progress and the liabilities will be removed from our consolidated balance sheet.
Revenue
Recognition — In general, we recognize revenue when it is both realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when the following conditions exist: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, generally a client contract exists; the services or products have been performed or delivered to the client; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collection has occurred or is probable. More specifically, revenue from helicopter services is recognized based on contractual rates as the related services are performed. The charges under these contracts are generally based on a two-tier rate structure consisting of a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. These contracts
are for varying periods and generally permit the client to cancel the contract before the end of the term. We also provide services to clients on an “ad hoc” basis, which usually entails a shorter contract notice period and duration. The charges for ad hoc services are based on an hourly rate or a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. In order to offset potential increases in operating costs, our long-term contracts may provide for periodic increases in the contractual rates charged for our services. We recognize the impact of these rate increases when the criteria outlined above have been met. This generally includes written recognition from the clients that they
are in agreement with the amount of the rate escalation. Cost reimbursements from clients are recorded as reimbursable revenue with the related reimbursed costs recorded as reimbursable expense on our consolidated statements of income.
Bristow Academy, our helicopter training business unit, primarily earns revenue from military training, flight training provided to individual students and ground school courses. We recognize revenue from these sources using the same revenue recognition principles described above as services are provided. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when the following conditions exist: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement (generally a contract exists); the services have been performed or delivered to the client or student; the sales price is fixed and determinable; and collection
has occurred or is probable.
Eastern Airways and Airnorth primarily earn revenue through charter and scheduled airline services and provision of airport services (Eastern Airways only). Both chartered and scheduled revenue is recognized net of passenger taxes and discounts. Revenue is recognized at the earlier of the period in which the service is provided or the period in which the right to travel expires which is determined by the terms and conditions of the ticket. Ticket sales are recorded within deferred revenue until recognized as revenue in accordance with the above policy. Airport services revenue is recognized when earned.
Pension Benefits — See Note 9 for a discussion of our accounting for pension benefits.
Maintenance and Repairs —
We generally charge maintenance and repair costs, including major aircraft component overhaul costs, to earnings as the costs are incurred. However, certain major aircraft components, such as engines and transmissions, are maintained by third-party vendors under contractual agreements. Under these agreements, we are charged an agreed amount per hour of flying time related to maintenance, repair and overhaul of the parts and components covered. The costs charged under these contractual agreements are recognized in the period in which the flight hours occur. To the extent that we have not yet been billed for costs incurred under these arrangements, these costs are included in accrued maintenance and repairs on our consolidated balance sheets. From time to time, we receive credits from our original equipment manufacturers as settlement for additional labor and maintenance expense costs incurred for aircraft performance issues. We record these credits as a reduction in
maintenance expense when the credits are utilized in lieu of cash payments for purchases or services. The cost of certain major overhauls on fixed-wing aircraft operated by Eastern Airways and Airnorth are capitalized when incurred and depreciated over the period until the next expected major overhaul.
Taxes — We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax basis of our assets and liabilities and measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in the tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change occurs. We record a valuation reserve when we believe that it is more likely than not that any deferred
income tax asset created will not be realized.
In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which such temporary differences become deductible.
We recognize tax benefits attributable to uncertain tax positions when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for
income taxes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Foreign Currency — In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar currencies to U.S. dollars. Balance sheet information is presented based on the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date, and statement of income information is presented based on the average exchange rate for the period. The various components of stockholders’ investment are presented
at their historical average exchange rates. The resulting difference after applying the different exchange rates is the currency translation adjustment. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in other income (expense), net and result from the effect of changes in exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than a company’s functional currency, including transactions between consolidated companies. An exception is made where an intercompany loan or advance is deemed to be of a long-term investment nature, in which instance foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included as currency translation adjustments and are reported in stockholders’ investment as accumulated other comprehensive gains or losses. Changes in exchange rates could cause significant changes in our financial position and results of operations in the future.
As a result of changes in exchange rates, we recorded
foreign currency transaction losses of approximately $6.5 million, $3.7 million and $1.1 million during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are also affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, were decreased by $25.7 million, $3.9 million
and $3.9 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the results of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real and U.S. dollar exchange rate on results for our affiliate in Brazil.
Incentive Compensation — See Note 9 for a discussion of our accounting for incentive compensation arrangements.
Extinguishment of Debt — Extinguishment of debt includes $2.6 million related to premiums paid for the repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “6¼% Senior Notes”) during fiscal year 2015 and $14.9 million in redemption premium and fees paid for
the early redemption of our 7 ½% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “7 ½% Senior Notes”) during fiscal year 2013. See further discussion in Note 5. We did not have any extinguishment of debt during fiscal year 2014.
Other Income (Expense), Net — The amounts for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 include the foreign currency transaction gains and losses described under “Foreign Currency” above. Other income (expense), net also includes a gain of $1.1 million for the sale of intellectual property during fiscal year 2014. Other income (expense), net in fiscal years 2015 and 2013
did not include any other significant items.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement
We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (ASUs). ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance
when it becomes effective. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted and the standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect this standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance relating to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The intent is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring entities to record debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, similar to debt discounts or premiums. This pronouncement is effective
for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. We do not believe adoption of this new guidance will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 — ACQUISITIONS
We apply the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), in the accounting for our business acquisitions. ASC 805 requires companies to separately recognize goodwill from the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which are at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and the
liabilities assumed. We recognized $24.3 million and $26.5 million of goodwill as a result of the Airnorth acquisition and Eastern Airways acquisition, respectively. The goodwill recorded as part of these acquisitions primarily reflects the value of offering a complete suite of point to point transportation services for our clients, synergies expected to arise from the combined entities, as well as any intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition.
We use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, to determine fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and, when applicable, the related useful lives of the acquired assets as of the business combination date. The fair value measurements were primarily based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, other than
certain financial assets and liabilities that were acquired or assumed in the acquisitions. The market approach, which indicates value for a subject asset based on available market pricing for comparable assets, was utilized to estimate the fair value for land and buildings, aircraft and spare parts inventory. The market approach used includes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving comparable assets, as well as pricing guides and other sources. We considered the current market for the assets, the maintenance condition of the assets and the expected proceeds from the sale of the assets, among other factors. As a result we have classified these assets in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. For those financial assets and liabilities which utilized observable inputs we have classified these amounts in Level 2.
The income approach was primarily used to value intangible assets, including
client relationships, certain internally used software, and trade names, as well as noncontrolling interest. The income approach indicates value for a subject asset based on the present value of cash flows projected to be generated by the asset. Projected cash flows are discounted at a required market rate of return that reflects the relative risk of achieving the cash flows and the time value of money. The fair values associated with these assets and liabilities have been classified in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
The cost approach, which estimates value by determining the current cost of replacing an asset with another of equivalent economic utility, was used, as appropriate, for certain assets for which the market and income approaches could not be applied due to the nature of the asset. The cost to replace a given asset reflects the estimated reproduction or replacement cost for the asset, less an allowance for
loss in value due to depreciation. Assets valued using the cost approach have been classified in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
See Note 6 for additional description of the fair value measurement.
Airnorth Acquisition
On January 29, 2015, Bristow Helicopters Australia Pty Ltd. (“Bristow Helicopters Australia”) acquired an 85% interest in Capiteq Limited, operating under the name Airnorth, for cash of A$30.3 million ($24.0 million) with possible earn out consideration of up to A$17.0 million ($13.0 million)
to be paid over four years based on the achievement in part on the achievement of specified financial performance thresholds and continued employment by the selling shareholders. We entered into an agreement with the other stockholder of Capiteq Limited that grants us the right after six months to buy all of their shares (and grants them the right after three years to require us to buy all of their shares) and includes transfer restrictions and other customary provisions. Airnorth is Northern Australia’s largest regional fixed wing operator based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with both scheduled and charter services which focus primarily on the energy and mining industries in northern and western Australia as well as international service to Dili, Timor-Leste. Airnorth’s fleet
consists of thirteen aircraft (nine turboprop and four new technology regional jets) and its customer base includes many energy companies to which Bristow Group already provides helicopter service. We believe this investment will strengthen our ability to provide point to point transportation services for existing Australian based passengers, expand helicopter services in certain areas in Southeast Asian markets and create a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following table summarizes the consolidated assets and liabilities of Airnorth as of January 29, 2015 (in thousands):
Current assets
$
15,188
Property
and equipment
39,822
Goodwill
24,252
Prepaid expenses and other assets
4,403
Total assets
83,665
Current
liabilities, including debt
(20,104
)
Long-term debt, less current maturities
(20,606
)
Other long-term liabilities
(9,441
)
Total liabilities
(50,151
)
Temporary
equity
(3,427
)
Net assets
$
30,087
Airnorth contributed $11.4 million of operating revenue during fiscal year 2015 and is included in our Australia business unit.
Temporary equity includes the third-party noncontrolling interests in Airnorth. The third-party noncontrolling interest
holders hold a written put option, which will allow them to sell their noncontrolling interest to Bristow Helicopters Australia at any time after the end of the third year after acquisition. In addition to the written put option, Bristow Helicopters Australia holds a perpetual call option to acquire the noncontrolling interest after six months. Under each of these alternatives, the exercise price will be based on a contractually defined multiple of cash flows formula (the “Redemption Value”), which is not a fair value measurement, and is payable in cash. As the written put option is redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling interest holders, and not solely within Bristow Helicopters Australia’s control, the noncontrolling interest in Airnorth is classified as temporary equity between the stockholders’ investment and liabilities sections of the consolidated balance sheets. The initial carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is the fair value of the
noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date.
The noncontrolling interest is adjusted each period for comprehensive income and dividends attributable to the noncontrolling interest and changes in Bristow Helicopters Australia’s ownership interest in Airnorth, if any. An additional adjustment to the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest may be required if the Redemption Value exceeds the current carrying value. Changes in the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest related to a change in the Redemption Value will be recorded against permanent equity and will not affect net income. While there is no impact on net income, the redeemable noncontrolling interest will impact our calculation of earnings per share. Utilizing the two-class method, we will adjust the numerator of the earnings per share calculation to reflect the changes in the excess, if any, of the noncontrolling interest’s Redemption Value over
the greater of (1) the noncontrolling interest carrying amount or (2) the fair value of the noncontrolling interest on a quarterly basis.
The following is a rollforward of the temporary equity related to Airnorth for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The summary pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information presented below for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 give effect to the acquisition of Airnorth as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The pro forma net income has been adjusted to reflect depreciation and amortization expense as if those adjustments had been applied on April 1, 2013. The summary pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what our consolidated results of operations actually would have been if the acquisition of Airnorth had occurred at any date, and such data does not purport to project our results of operations for any future period.
On February 6, 2014, Bristow Helicopters Limited (“Bristow Helicopters”) acquired a 60% interest in the privately owned Eastern Airways for cash of £27 million ($44 million) with possible earn out consideration
of up to £6 million ($10 million) to be paid over a three year period based on the achievement of specified financial performance thresholds. The first year earn-out payment was not achieved. In addition, Bristow Helicopters entered into agreements with the other stockholders of Eastern Airways that grant Bristow Helicopters the right to buy all of their Eastern Airways shares (and grant them the right after seven years to require Bristow Helicopters to buy all of their shares) and include transfer restrictions and other customary provisions. Eastern Airways is a regional fixed wing operator based at Humberside Airport located in North Lincolnshire, England with both charter and scheduled services targeting U.K. oil and gas industry transportation. We believe this investment strengthens
Bristow Helicopters’ ability to provide a complete suite of point to point transportation services for existing European based passengers, expands helicopter services in certain areas like the Shetland Islands and creates a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
The following table summarizes the consolidated assets and liabilities of Eastern Airways as of February 6, 2014 (in thousands):
Current
assets
$
21,117
Property and equipment
63,391
Goodwill
26,479
Prepaid expenses and other
assets
20,474
Total assets
131,461
Current liabilities, including debt
(37,644
)
Long-term
debt, less current maturities
(20,400
)
Other long-term liabilities
(8,239
)
Total liabilities
(66,283
)
Temporary equity
(21,139
)
Net
assets
$
44,039
Eastern Airways contributed $144.8 million and $21.2 million of operating revenue during fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in our Europe business unit. The earn-out consideration will be included as general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income as earned.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Temporary equity represents the third-party noncontrolling interests in Eastern Airways. The third-party noncontrolling interest holders hold a written put option, which will allow them to sell their noncontrolling interest to Bristow Helicopters at any time after the end of the seventh year after acquisition. In addition to the written put option, Bristow Helicopters holds a perpetual call option to acquire the noncontrolling interest at any time. Under each of these alternatives, the exercise price will be based on a contractually defined multiple of cash flows formula (“Redemption
Value”), which is not a fair value measurement, and is payable in cash. As the written put option is redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling interest holders, and not solely within Bristow Helicopters control, the noncontrolling interest in Eastern Airways is classified as temporary equity between the stockholders’ investment and liabilities sections of the consolidated balance sheets. The initial carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest is the fair value of the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date.
The noncontrolling interest is adjusted each period for comprehensive income and dividends attributable to the noncontrolling interest and changes in Bristow Helicopters’ ownership interest in Eastern Airways, if any. An additional adjustment to the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest may be required if the Redemption Value exceeds the current carrying value. Changes in the carrying value
of the noncontrolling interest related to a change in the Redemption Value will be recorded against permanent equity and will not affect net income. While there is no impact on net income, the redeemable noncontrolling interest will impact our calculation of earnings per share. Utilizing the two-class method, we will adjust the numerator of the earnings per share calculation to reflect the changes in the excess, if any, of the noncontrolling interest’s Redemption Value over the greater of (1) the noncontrolling interest carrying amount or (2) the fair value of the noncontrolling interest on a quarterly basis.
Changes in the balance for the temporary equity related to Eastern Airways are as follows (in thousands):
The summary pro forma condensed consolidated financial information presented below for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 give effect to the acquisition of Eastern Airways as if it had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The pro forma net income has been
adjusted to reflect depreciation and amortization expense as if those adjustments had been applied on April 1, 2012. The summary pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what our consolidated results of operation actually would have been if the acquisition of Eastern Airways had occurred at any date, and such data does not purport to project our results of operations for any future period.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 3 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS IN SIGNIFICANT AFFILIATES
VIEs
A VIE is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both the power to direct the activities
that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If we determine that we have operating power and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits, we consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary, and if not, we do not consolidate.
As of March 31, 2015, we had interests in four VIEs of which we are the primary beneficiary, which are described below, and had no interests in VIEs of which we are not the primary beneficiary.
Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited — We own 49% of Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited’s (“Bristow
Aviation”) common stock and a significant amount of its subordinated debt. Bristow Aviation is incorporated in England and holds all of the outstanding shares in Bristow Helicopters. Bristow Aviation’s subsidiaries provide helicopter services to clients primarily in the U.K, Norway, Australia, Nigeria and Trinidad and fixed wing services primarily in the U.K and Australia. Bristow Aviation is organized with three different classes of ordinary shares having disproportionate voting rights. The Company, Caledonia Investments plc (“Caledonia”) and a European Union investor (the “E.U. Investor”) own 49%, 46% and 5%,
respectively, of Bristow Aviation’s total outstanding ordinary shares, although Caledonia has voting control over the E.U. Investor’s shares.
In addition to our ownership of 49% of Bristow Aviation’s outstanding ordinary shares, in May 2004, we acquired eight million shares of deferred stock, essentially a subordinated class of stock with no voting rights, from Bristow Aviation for £1 per share ($14.4 million in total). We also have £91.0 million ($135.1 million) principal amount of subordinated unsecured loan stock (debt) of Bristow Aviation bearing interest at an annual rate of 13.5% and payable semi-annually.
Payment of interest on such debt has been deferred since its incurrence in 1996. Deferred interest accrues at an annual rate of 13.5% and aggregated $1.5 billion as of March 31, 2015.
The Company, Caledonia, the E.U. Investor and Bristow Aviation have entered into a shareholder agreement respecting, among other things, the composition of the board of directors of Bristow Aviation. On matters coming before Bristow Aviation’s board, Caledonia’s representatives have a total of three votes and the two other directors have one vote each. In addition, Caledonia has the right to nominate two
persons to our board of directors and to replace any such directors so nominated.
Caledonia, the Company and the E.U. Investor also have entered into a put/call agreement under which, upon giving specified prior notice, we have the right to buy all the Bristow Aviation shares held by Caledonia and the E.U. Investor, who, in turn, each have the right to require us to purchase such shares. Under current English law, we would be required, in order for Bristow Aviation to retain its operating license, to find a qualified E.U. investor to own any Bristow Aviation shares we have the right to acquire under the put/call agreement. The only restriction under the put/call agreement limiting our ability to exercise the put/call option is a requirement to consult with the Civil Aviation Authority (the “CAA”) in the U.K. regarding the suitability of
the new holder of the Bristow Aviation shares. The put/call agreement does not contain any provisions should the CAA not approve the new E.U. investor. However, we would work diligently to find an E.U. investor suitable to the CAA. The amount by which we could purchase the shares of the other investors holding 51% of the equity of Bristow Aviation is fixed under the terms of the call option, and we have reflected this amount on our consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest.
Furthermore, the call option provides a mechanism whereby the economic risk for the other investors is limited should the financial condition of Bristow Aviation deteriorate. The call option price is the nominal value of the ordinary shares held by the noncontrolling shareholders (£1.0 million as of March 31,
2015) plus an annual guaranteed rate of return less any prepayments of such call option price and any dividends paid on the shares concerned. We can elect to pre-pay the guaranteed return element of the call option price wholly or in part without exercising the call option. No dividends have been paid by Bristow Aviation. We have accrued the annual return due to the other shareholders at a rate of sterling LIBOR plus 3% (prior to May 2004, the rate was fixed at 12%) by recognizing noncontrolling interest expense on our consolidated statements of income, with a corresponding increase in noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets. Prepayments of the guaranteed return element of the call option are reflected as a reduction in noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets. The other investors have an option to put their shares
in Bristow Aviation to us. The put option price is calculated in the same way as the call option price except that the guaranteed rate for the period to April 2004 was 10% per annum. If the put option is exercised, any pre-payments of the call option price are set off against the put option price.
Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries are exposed to
similar operational risks and are therefore monitored and evaluated on a similar basis by management. Accordingly, the financial information reflected on our consolidated balance sheets and statements of income for Bristow Aviation and subsidiaries is presented in the aggregate, including intercompany amounts with other consolidated entities, as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal
year 2014 includes a gain of $67.9 million, after tax, on the sale of the FB Entities as discussed under “Other Significant Affiliates — Unconsolidated — FB Entities” below.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Bristow Helicopters
Nigeria Ltd. — Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) is a joint venture in Nigeria in which Bristow Helicopters owned a 40% interest, unrelated local Nigerian partners together owned a 10% interest, a Nigerian company owned 100% by Nigerian employees owned a 48% interest and an employee trust fund owned the remaining 2% interest as of March 31, 2015. BHNL provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.
In order to be able to bid competitively for our services in the Nigerian market, we were required to identify local citizens to participate in the ownership of entities domiciled in the region. However, these owners do not have extensive knowledge of the aviation
industry and have historically deferred to our expertise in the overall management and day-to-day operation of BHNL (including the establishment of operating and capital budgets and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of BHNL’s operations). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to BHNL and will need to continue to do so unless and until BHNL acquires sufficient equity to permit itself to finance its activities without that additional support from us. As we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of BHNL and hold a variable interest in the entity in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate BHNL as the primary beneficiary. The employee-owned Nigerian entity referenced above purchased its 19% interest in BHNL in December 2013 with proceeds from a loan received from BGI Aviation
Technical Services Nigeria Limited (“BATS”). In July 2014, the employee-owned Nigerian entity purchased an additional 29% interest with proceeds from a loan received from Bristow Helicopters (International) Limited (“BHIL”). In April 2015, Bristow Helicopters purchased an additional 8% interest in BHNL and the employee-owned Nigerian entity purchased an additional 2% interest with proceeds from a loan received from BHIL. Both BATS and BHIL are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bristow Aviation. The employee-owned Nigerian entity is also a VIE that we consolidate as the primary beneficiary and we eliminate the loans discussed above in consolidation.
BHNL is an indirect subsidiary of Bristow Aviation;
therefore, financial information for this entity is included within the amounts for Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries presented above.
Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. — Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”) is a joint venture in Nigeria with local partners in which we own an interest of 50.17%. PAAN provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.
The activities that most significantly impact PAAN’s economic performance relate to the day-to-day operation of PAAN, setting of operating and capital budgets and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of PAAN’s operations. Throughout the history of PAAN, our representation on the board and our secondment to PAAN of its managing director has enabled
us to direct the key operational decisions of PAAN (without objection from the other board members). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to PAAN. As we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of PAAN and hold a variable interest in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate PAAN as the primary beneficiary. However, as long as we own a majority interest in PAAN, the separate presentation of financial information in a tabular format for PAAN is not required.
Other Significant Affiliates — Consolidated
In addition to the VIEs discussed above, we consolidate the less than 100% owned entities described below.
Airnorth — See discussion in Note 2.
Eastern
Airways — See discussion in Note 2.
Aviashelf Aviation Co. — Bristow Aviation has a 48.5% interest in Aviashelf Aviation Co. (“Aviashelf”), a Russian helicopter company. Additionally, we own 51% of two U.K. joint venture companies, Bristow Helicopters Leasing Ltd. and Sakhalin Bristow Air Services Ltd. These two U.K. companies lease aircraft to Aviashelf which holds the client contracts for our Russian operations. Aviashelf is consolidated based on the ability of certain consolidated subsidiaries of Bristow Aviation
to control the vote on a majority of the shares of Aviashelf, rights to manage the day to day operations of the company which were granted under a shareholders’ agreement, and our ability to acquire an additional 8.5% interest in Aviashelf under a put/call option agreement.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Other
Significant Affiliates — Unconsolidated
We have investments in other significant unconsolidated affiliates as described below.
Cougar — In early October 2012, we purchased 40 newly issued Class B shares (the “Class B Shares”) in the capital of Cougar Helicopters Inc. (“Cougar”), the largest offshore energy and SAR helicopter service provider in Canada, and certain aircraft, facilities and inventory used by Cougar in its operations, for $250 million. $23.8 million had been previously paid for an aircraft and certain other advances, resulting in a net cash outlay of $226.2 million. Cougar’s operations are primarily focused on serving the offshore oil and gas industry
off Canada’s Atlantic coast and in the Arctic. The operating assets purchased include eight Sikorsky S-92 large helicopters, inventory and helicopter passenger, maintenance and SAR facilities located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The purchased aircraft and facilities are leased to Cougar on a long-term basis. The Class B Shares represent 25% of the voting power and 40% of the economic interests in Cougar. In addition to the $257.8 million initial cash consideration, which includes $7.8 million in transaction costs, the terms of the purchase agreement include a potential earn-out of $40 million payable over three years based on Cougar achieving certain agreed
performance targets. The first year and second year earn-out payments of $6.0 million and $8.0 million were paid in March 2014 and April 2015, respectively, as Cougar achieved agreed performance targets. The fair value of the earn-out is $32.5 million and $31.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities and deferred credits on our consolidated balance sheets. The investment in Cougar is accounted for under the equity method. As of March 31, 2015
and 2014, the investment in Cougar was $61.0 million and $61.6 million, respectively, and is included on our consolidated balance sheets in investment in unconsolidated affiliates. Due to timing differences in our financial reporting requirements, we record our share of Cougar’s financial results in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates on a three-month delay.
FB Entities — As of March 31, 2013, we owned a 50% interest in each of FBS Limited, FB Heliservices Limited and FB Leasing Limited, collectively referred to as the FB Entities, U.K. corporations which principally provide
pilot training, maintenance and support services to the British military under a contract that runs through March 2016 with two possible one year extensions. On July 14, 2013, we sold our 50% interest in the FB Entities for £74.0 million, or approximately $112.2 million. We recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate of $103.9 million during fiscal year 2014 on our consolidated statements of income. The FB Entities were accounted for under the equity method prior to July 14, 2013.
HCA — As
of March 31, 2014, we owned a 50% interest in HCA, a U.K. company that provides inspection and certification services for offshore helidecks. On November 21, 2014, we sold our 50% interest in HCA for £2.7 million, or approximately $4.2 million. We recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate of $3.9 million during fiscal year 2015 on our consolidated statements of income. HCA was accounted for under the equity method prior to November 21, 2014.
Líder — We own a 41.9% economic interest in Líder Táxi Aéreo S.A. (“Líder”),
the largest provider of helicopter and executive aviation services in Brazil. Líder’s fleet has 59 helicopters and 26 fixed wing aircraft (including owned and managed aircraft). Líder also leases eight aircraft from us to provide helicopter services to its clients. Effective May 28, 2014, our ownership interest in Líder in Brazil was reduced from 42.5% to 41.9% as a result of Líder’s issuance of additional shares to improve tax and cost-saving efficiencies. This transaction resulted in no material impact to our consolidated financial statements. Líder is accounted for under the equity method.
Líder, along with its direct and indirect subsidiaries,
were parties to tax litigation involving a tax assessment for taxes calculated in 2005, 2006 and 2007, related to profits of its foreign subsidiaries. Additionally, Líder received tax assessments for the period from 2008 through 2010 and expected to receive tax assessments for 2011 and 2012 related to the same tax issue. On October 9, 2013, a new law went into effect in Brazil, establishing amnesty conditions targeting companies similar to Líder that have tax liabilities under the tax laws in question. Under the amnesty, companies could settle any tax liabilities related to the profits of foreign subsidiaries incurred through December 31, 2012 by making payment in full for amounts levied or
entering into an installment payment plan by November 29, 2013. Acceptance of this amnesty offer would result in the complete forgiveness of any late payment penalties, other fines, interest and legal charges in the case of full payment and a partial reduction in late payment penalties, other fines, interest and legal charges relating to outstanding taxes levied that may be paid in an installment plan. As a condition to accepting the amnesty offer, companies would withdraw from all administrative and judicial cases filed challenging the levying of the above-mentioned taxes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In November 2013, under this amnesty law, Líder made a payment of 62.7 million Brazilian reais ($27.0 million) for the period from 2005 through 2012. The total amount due for payment in full according to the amnesty law was 93.3 million Brazilian reais ($40.2 million), but was reduced by existing tax assets for prior tax losses of 30.6 million Brazilian reais ($13.2 million). As a result of this additional tax expense, our earnings
from unconsolidated affiliates were reduced by $17.1 million during fiscal year 2014. In addition to the November 2013 tax assessment, Líder also recorded tax accruals in December 2013 for expected payments for 2013 for these same taxes on offshore earnings which further reduced our equity earnings in Líder by $2.2 million during fiscal year 2014. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recorded an increase in our equity earnings in Líder by $1.7 million related to lower tax charges for Líder than accrued during the three months ended December 31, 2013.
We were indemnified by the other Líder shareholders for the portion of
this tax assessed for the period prior to our investment in Líder in May 2009. The indemnity payment to us of $2.5 million was paid during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and resulted in an increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The total impact on our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates during fiscal year 2014 related to these taxes for Líder was $13.6 million, net of the indemnity payment.
During the year ended March 31, 2015, we determined that since the acquisition of Líder in fiscal year 2009 we have failed to record the other comprehensive income (loss) related to our Líder investment, consisting of the effects
of foreign currency translation, in each reporting period. To correct this error, we reduced our investment in unconsolidated affiliates by $36.4 million, increased our deferred tax asset within other assets by $12.7 million and increased our accumulated other comprehensive loss by $23.6 million as of and for the year ended March 31, 2015. The error, which had no impact on our consolidated statements of income or cash flows, is not material to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2015 or our previously reported consolidated financial statements for any period.
PAS — We have a 25% interest in
Petroleum Air Services (“PAS”), an Egyptian corporation that provides helicopter and fixed wing transportation to the offshore energy industry in Egypt. Additionally, spare fixed wing capacity is chartered to tourism operators. PAS owns 45 aircraft. PAS is accounted for under the cost method as we are unable to exert significant influence over its operations.
Other — Historically, in addition to the expansion of our business through purchases of new and used aircraft, we have also established new joint ventures with local partners or purchased significant ownership interests in companies with ongoing helicopter operations, particularly in countries where we have no operations or our operations are limited in scope, and we continue to evaluate similar opportunities which could enhance our operations. Where we believe that it is probable that an equity
method investment will result, the costs associated with such investment evaluations are deferred and included in investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets. For each investment evaluated, an impairment of deferred costs is recognized in the period in which we determine that it is no longer probable an equity method investment will result. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had no amounts in investment in unconsolidated affiliates in the process of being evaluated.
Our percentage ownership and investment balances for the unconsolidated affiliates are as follows:
Dividends
from entities accounted for under the cost method:
PAS
$
2,068
$
4,043
$
28
Earnings,
net of losses, from entities accounted for under the equity method:
Cougar
(710
)
1,053
(736
)
FB
Entities (1)
—
3,217
10,517
Líder
(4,236
)
2,898
14,762
Other
(2)
1,107
1,498
499
(3,839
)
8,666
25,042
Total
$
(1,771
)
$
12,709
$
25,070
_____________
(1)
We
sold our 50% interest in the FB entities in July 2013.
(2)
We sold our 50% interest in HCA in November 2014.
We received $5.6 million, $10.3 million and $16.2 million of dividends from our investments accounted for under the equity method during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
A
summary of combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates accounted for under the equity method is set forth below (in thousands):
During
fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we spent $440.9 million, $529.4 million and $312.7 million, respectively, on construction in progress which primarily represents progress payments on aircraft to be delivered in future periods.
(2)
During fiscal year 2013, we paid $190.9 million for aircraft and facilities used by Cougar.
Additionally,
the following tables present details on the aircraft sold or disposed of and impairments on assets held for sale during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:
Impairment charges on aircraft held for sale and construction in progress (2)
$
36,057
$
6,814
$
4,362
_____________
(1)
During
fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, 14, 14 and 11 of these aircraft sold were leased back and we received $380.7 million, $246.4 million and $255.8 million in proceeds for the aircraft.
(2)
Fiscal year 2013 includes a gain related to
four large aircraft reclassified from held for sale to aircraft and equipment as they were returned to operational status as a result of the issues associated with the Airbus Helicopters H225 Super Puma helicopters and reversed previously recorded impairment charges of $8.7 million.
The following items impacted property and equipment during fiscal year 2015:
•
We recorded impairment charges totaling $36.1 million related to 27 aircraft included in assets held for sale.
Included in the impairment charges were $24.5 million recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2014 related to ten large aircraft as a result of negotiations associated with the disposal of all 17 of this aircraft type in our fleet. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we completed the disposal of 13 of these aircraft and recorded an additional loss of $6.4 million. Additionally, as we expect to complete the disposal of the remaining four aircraft of this type still operating in Australia
in fiscal year 2016, we adjusted the salvage value and recorded additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. We also expect to record additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 related to these remaining aircraft. Also included in the impairment charges were $4.3 million related to three medium prototype aircraft included in assets held for sale. We entered into an agreement in April 2015 to sell these three
aircraft and purchase fully developed/non-prototype aircraft.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
•
We recorded accelerated depreciation of $4.4 million for ten medium and
one fixed wing aircraft operating in our Other International and West Africa business units. Management made the decision to exit these model types earlier than originally anticipated. We expect to record an additional $3.8 million in fiscal year 2016 relating to this change in fleet strategy.
•
We increased the liabilities associated with deferred sale leaseback advance for additional payments made by the purchaser during fiscal year 2015 of $69.7 million, with a corresponding increase to construction in progress. Additionally,
we took delivery and entered into leases for five aircraft related to the deferred sale leaseback and removed a total of $183.7 million and $182.6 million, respectively, from construction in progress and deferred sale leaseback advance, current from our consolidated balance sheet. See Note 1 for further details on the deferred sale leaseback.
•
We determined that since fiscal year 2010 we had been improperly capitalizing profit on intercompany technical services billings related to aircraft modifications. To correct
this error, we reduced property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, by $4.4 million and increased deferred gains on aircraft sold and leased back included within other long-term liabilities by $0.9 million. The offsetting impact on our consolidated statements of income was a reduction in revenue of $3.5 million, an increase in direct cost of $2.0 million and a reduction in depreciation and amortization of $0.2 million. The error is not material to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2015 or our previously reported consolidated financial statements for any period.
•
We
received proceeds of $16.0 million from insurance recoveries for inventory destroyed in the fire in Port Harcourt, Nigeria discussed below. Additionally, we recorded a gain of $4.9 million in gain (loss) on disposal of assets on our consolidated statement of income and included in the table above.
•
We transferred 15 aircraft to held for sale and reduced property and equipment by $91.5 million.
The following items impacted property and equipment during fiscal year 2014:
•
In
March 2014, we had a fire in our Port Harcourt, Nigeria aircraft hangar. Two aircraft were damaged and $11.1 million of inventory spare parts were destroyed. The aircraft hangar was partially damaged. We wrote off $11.1 million of inventory destroyed in the fire, which was offset by a receivable recorded of $11.1 million for insurance proceeds.
•
We received payment of approximately $106.1 million for progress payments we had previously made on seven
aircraft under construction and we assigned any future payments due on these construction agreements to the purchaser. As we have the obligation and intent to lease the aircraft back from the purchaser upon completion, we recorded a liability equal to the cash received and payments made by the purchaser during fiscal year 2014 totaling $60.2 million, with a corresponding increase to construction in progress. See Note 1 for further details on the deferred sale leaseback advance.
•
We transferred 36 aircraft to held for sale and reduced property and equipment by
$51.6 million.
The following items impacted property and equipment during fiscal year 2013:
•
We received proceeds from insurance recoveries of $4.7 million and recorded a gain of $2.8 million in gain (loss) on disposal of assets on our consolidated statement of income and included in the table above.
•
We
transferred 16 aircraft to held for sale, reducing property and equipment by $13.9 million.
Assets Held for Sale
As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had 12 and 16 aircraft, totaling $57.8 million and $29.3 million, classified as held for sale, respectively. We recorded impairment charges of $36.1 million, $6.8 million
and $4.4 million to reduce the carrying value of 27, 11 and 10 aircraft held for sale during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These impairment charges were included as a reduction in gain (loss) on disposal of assets in the consolidated statements of income.
3%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2038, including $0.9 million and $5.1 million of unamortized discount, respectively
114,109
109,904
Revolving Credit Facility
83,800
24,000
Airnorth
debt
23,119
—
Eastern Airways debt
19,680
29,911
Other debt
—
883
Total
debt
864,422
841,302
Less short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
(18,730
)
(14,207
)
Total long-term debt
$
845,692
$
827,095
6
¼% Senior Notes due 2022 — On October 12, 2012, we completed an offering of $450 million of 6 ¼% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “6 ¼% Senior Notes”). The 6 ¼% Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank effectively junior in right of payment to all our existing and future secured indebtedness, rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and rank senior in right of payment to any of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The 6 ¼% Senior Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The indenture
for our 6 ¼% Senior Notes includes restrictive covenants which limit, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, issue disqualified stock, pay dividends, repurchase stock, invest in other entities, sell assets, incur additional liens or security, merge or consolidate the Company and enter into transactions with affiliates. Interest on the 6 ¼% Senior Notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning April 15, 2013, and the 6 ¼% Senior Notes mature on October 15, 2022. We may redeem any of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes at any time on or after October 15, 2017, in whole or part, in cash, at certain redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time prior to October 15,
2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes issued under the indenture with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 106.25% of the principal amount of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may make that redemption only if, after the redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes issued under the indenture remains outstanding. In addition, at any time prior to October 15, 2017, we may redeem all, but not less than all, of the 6 ¼% Senior
Notes at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus an applicable premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. We incurred financing fees of $7.4 million, that are included as deferred financing fees in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets which we will amortize as interest expense in the consolidated statements of income over the life of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes.
In fiscal year 2015, we repurchased $48.5 million principal amount of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes in the open market at 103.75% to 107.75%, plus accrued interest, for a total of $52.0 million. In connection with these repurchases, we incurred 2.6 million
in premium and fees which are included in extinguishment of debt on our consolidated statements of income, and wrote-off $0.7 million of unamortized deferred financing fees, which is included in interest expense, net on our consolidated statements of income.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
— On November 22, 2010, we entered into a $375 million amended and restated revolving credit and term loan agreement (“Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which included a five-year, $175 million revolving credit facility (with a subfacility of $30 million for letters of credit) (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and a five-year, $200 million term loan (“Term Loan”) (together, our “Credit Facilities”). Proceeds from the Term Loan and the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were used primarily to redeem the 61/8%
Senior Notes due 2013 during fiscal year 2011.
On December 22, 2011, we entered into the first amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment (a) increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $175 million to $200 million, (b) increased our Term Loan borrowings from $200 million to $250 million, (c) extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan from November 2015 to December 2016 and (d) reduced the applicable margins and commitment fees with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility and Term
Loan. Proceeds from the $50 million increase of the Term Loan were used to pay off other borrowings at higher interest rates and for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the Term Loan are payable in quarterly installments and commenced on December 30, 2011, with $133.8 million due in December 2016.
As amended by the First Amendment, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at an interest rate equal to, at our option, either the Base Rate or LIBOR (or EURIBO, in the case of Euro-denominated borrowings) plus the applicable margin. “Base Rate” means the higher of (1) the prime rate and (2) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% per annum. The applicable margin for
borrowings ranges from 0.00% to 2.25%, depending on whether the Base Rate or LIBOR is used, and is determined based on our leverage ratio pricing grid. In addition, we are required to pay fees on the daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility in an amount per annum equal to an applicable percentage, which ranges from 0.25% to 0.50% and is determined based on our leverage ratio pricing grid. Fees owed on the letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility are equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings. The interest rate was 1.93% and 1.91% as of March 31, 2015 and 2014,
respectively.
Obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries and secured by the U.S. cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories, non-aircraft equipment, prepaid expenses and other current assets, intangible assets and intercompany promissory notes held by Bristow Group Inc. and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and 100% and 65% of the capital stock of certain of our principal domestic and foreign subsidiaries, respectively. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes customary covenants,
including certain financial covenants and restrictions on our ability to enter into certain transactions, including those that could result in the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; the making of loans, guarantees or investments; sale of assets; payments of dividends or repurchases of our capital stock; and entering into transactions with affiliates.
Simultaneously with the closing of the 364-Day Credit Agreement described below, we entered into the second amendment to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2012 (the “Second Amendment”).
The Second Amendment amended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, permit the granting of liens by the Company and the Guarantors Subsidiaries
in favor of the lenders under the 364-Day Credit Agreement on a pari passu secured basis with the liens granted in favor of the lenders under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
On April 29, 2013, we entered into the third amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment (a) increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $200 million to $350 million and (b) extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan from December 2016 to April 2018.
On March
14, 2014, we entered into the fourth amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”). The Fourth Amendment, among other things, extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan from April 2018 to April 2019.
On April 17, 2015, we entered into the fifth amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”). The Fifth Amendment, among other things (a) increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $350 million to $400 million (b) increased the Term Loan borrowings from approximately $222.6 million to $350.0 million and (c) permits
the Company to incur additional credit facility debt to refinance its existing 3% Convertible Senior Notes.
During fiscal year 2015, we had borrowings of $453.0 million and made payments of $393.2 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. Additionally, we paid $4.5 million to reduce our borrowings under the Term Loan. As of March 31, 2015, we had $0.5 million in letters of credit outstanding.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 — In June 2008, we completed the sale of $115 million of 3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 (the “3% Convertible Senior Notes”). These notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank effectively junior in right of payment to our existing and future secured indebtedness, rank equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future unsecured senior debt and rank senior in right of payment to any of our existing and future subordinated
indebtedness. The 3% Convertible Senior Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantor Subsidiaries. Interest is paid on the 3% Convertible Senior Notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year. The notes are convertible, under certain circumstances, using a net share settlement process, into a combination of cash and our common stock (“Common Stock”). As of March 31, 2015, the base conversion price of the notes was approximately $73.07, based on the base conversion rate of 13.6849 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of convertible notes (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, including the payment of dividends). In general, upon
conversion of a note, the holder will receive cash equal to the principal amount of the note and Common Stock to the extent of the note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. In addition, if at the time of conversion the applicable price of our Common Stock exceeds the base conversion price, holders will receive up to an additional 8.8952 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined pursuant to a specified formula.
The notes will mature on June 15, 2038 and may not be redeemed by us prior to June 15, 2015, after which they may be redeemed at 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Holders of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes may
require us to repurchase any or all of their notes for cash on June 15, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035, or in the event of a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture for the 3% Convertible Senior Notes (including the delisting of our Common Stock and certain change of control transactions), at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If a holder elects to convert its notes in connection with certain fundamental changes occurring prior to June 15, 2015, we will increase the applicable conversion
rate by a specified number of additional shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 2015, the if-converted value of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance. On May 15, 2015, we issued a notice to the holders of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes pursuant to which such holders have the option to require us to repurchase all or any part of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes on June 15, 2015.
Accounting standards require that convertible debt which may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) be accounted for with a liability component based on the fair value of similar nonconvertible debt and an equity component based on the excess of the initial proceeds from the convertible debt over
the liability component. Such excess represents proceeds related to the conversion option and are recorded as additional paid-in capital. The liability is recorded at a discount, which is then amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the convertible debt’s remaining life to the first put date. The balances of the debt and equity components of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes as of each period presented are as follows (in thousands):
The remaining debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the period to the earliest put date of June 2015 for the 3% Convertible Senior Notes using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate for each of fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013
was 6.9%. Interest expense related to our 3% Convertible Senior Notes for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (in thousands):
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Airnorth — Airnorth’s outstanding debt includes interest bearing term loans and borrowings of $22.5 million and a commercial bill of $0.6 million as of March 31, 2015. The term loans and borrowings primarily relate to the purchase of aircraft, have a term of 2 to 10 years and bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.85%
to 3.1%. The interest rate on the term loans and borrowings was between 3.08% to 5.6% as of March 31, 2015. The term loans and borrowings have either monthly or quarterly principal payments and have customary covenants, including certain financial covenants. The commercial bill is used for working capital and has a term of 12 years. As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate for the commercial bill was 2.31%.
Eastern Airways — Eastern Airways’ outstanding debt includes interest bearing term loans and borrowings of $19.7
million as of March 31, 2015. The term loans and borrowings primarily relate to purchase of aircraft and inventory, have a term of 2 to 10 years and bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% to 3.5%. The interest rate on the term loans was between 3.225% and 3.975% as of March 31, 2015. These term loans and borrowings have either monthly or quarterly principal payments and have customary covenants, including certain financial covenants.
Other
Debt — During fiscal year 2014, Aviashelf borrowed $1.1 million from a commercial bank on a line of credit. During fiscal year 2015, Aviashelf borrowed $1.2 million against the line of credit and made payments of $2.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, the interest rate for the line of credit was 11.5%.
Other Matters — Aggregate annual maturities (which excludes unamortized discount of $1.3 million) for all debt for the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal
year ending March 31
2016
$
18,730
2017
30,945
2018
26,480
2019
35,994
2020
228,755
Thereafter
524,853
$
865,757
Interest
paid in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $38.0 million, $38.4 million and $25.9 million, respectively. Capitalized interest was $14.6 million, $14.1 million and $6.6 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Note 6 — FAIR
VALUE DISCLOSURES
Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are categorized into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement, as follows:
•
Level 1 – observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
•
Level 2 – inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets which are not active; quoted prices for similar
assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•
Level 3 – unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions incorporated in valuation techniques used to determine fair value. These assumptions are required to be consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
The majority of our non-financial assets, which include inventories, property and equipment, assets held for sale, goodwill and other intangible assets, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur such that a non-financial asset is required to be evaluated for impairment and deemed to be impaired, the impaired non-financial asset is recorded as its fair value.
See Note 2 for details on the fair values
related to the Airnorth and Eastern Airways acquisition.
The following table summarizes the assets as of March 31, 2015, valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in thousands):
The
fair value of inventories using Level 2 inputs is determined by evaluating the current economic conditions for sale and disposal of spare parts, which includes estimates as to the recoverability of the carrying value of the parts based on historical experience with sales and disposal of similar spare parts, the expected timeframe of sales or disposals, the location of the spare parts to be sold and the condition of the spare parts to be sold or otherwise disposed of. See Note 1 for further discussion of the impairment of inventories. The fair value of assets held for sale using Level 2 inputs is determined through evaluation of expected sales proceeds for aircraft. This analysis includes estimates based on historical experience with sales, recent transactions involving similar assets, quoted market prices for similar assets and condition and location of aircraft to be sold or otherwise disposed of. The $36.1
million loss on assets held for sale for fiscal year 2015 related to 27 aircraft and the $6.8 million loss on assets held for sale for fiscal year 2014 related to 11 aircraft.
The rabbi trust investments consist of cash and mutual funds whose fair value are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, and are designated as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. The rabbi trust holds investments related to our non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our senior executives as discussed in Note 9.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following table provides a rollforward of the contingent consideration liability Level 3 fair value measurements during fiscal year 2015 (in thousands):
We
assess the estimated fair value of the contractual obligation to pay the contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any changes in estimated fair value are recorded as accretion expense included in depreciation and amortization on our consolidated statements of income. Fluctuations in the fair value of contingent consideration are impacted by two unobservable inputs, management’s estimate of the probability of Cougar or Airnorth achieving certain agreed performance targets and the estimated discount rate. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the discount rate approximated 4% for the contingent consideration related to Cougar. As of March 31, 2015,
the discount rate approximated 2% for the contingent consideration related to Airnorth.
The fair value of our debt has been estimated in accordance with the accounting standard regarding fair value. The fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices. The carrying and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, are as follows (in thousands):
The
fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying value due to the short-term nature of these items.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 7 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Aircraft
Purchase Contracts — As shown in the table below, we expect to make additional capital expenditures over the next five fiscal years to purchase additional aircraft. As of March 31, 2015, we had 45 aircraft on order and options to acquire an additional 30 aircraft. Although a similar number of our existing aircraft may be sold during the same period, the additional aircraft on order will provide incremental fleet capacity in terms of revenue and operating income. As discussed in Note 1, we were awarded a contract to provide civilian SAR services
for all of the U.K. The SAR configured aircraft on order in the table below are intended to service this contract and other SAR contracts.
Signed
client contracts are currently in place that will utilize 13 of these aircraft.
(2)
Excludes commitments related to sale leaseback advance. See Note 1 for further details.
(3)
Seventeen large aircraft on order expected to enter service between fiscal years 2017
and 2020 are subject to the successful development and certification of the aircraft.
(4)
Includes progress payments on aircraft scheduled to be delivered in future periods.
The following chart presents an analysis of our aircraft orders and options during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:
During
fiscal year 2014, we transferred our interest in seven aircraft previously ordered in return for $106.1 million in progress payments previously paid on these aircraft.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
We periodically
purchase aircraft for which we have no orders. During fiscal year 2015, we purchased three aircraft for which we did not have orders.
Operating Leases — We have non-cancelable operating leases in connection with the lease of certain equipment, land and facilities, including leases for aircraft. Rent expense incurred under all operating leases was $164.8 million, $105.8 million and $67.4 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Rent expense incurred under operating leases for aircraft was $138.3
million, $83.5 million and $46.8 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, aggregate future payments under all non-cancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year, including leases for 82 aircraft, are as follows (in thousands):
In
both fiscal years 2015 and 2014, we sold 14 aircraft for $380.7 million and $246.4 million, respectively, and entered into 14 separate agreements each year to lease these aircraft back. Additionally, in fiscal year 2014, we received payment of approximately $106.1 million for progress payments we had previously made on seven aircraft under construction and we assigned any future payments due on these construction agreements to the purchaser. We have the obligation and intent to lease the aircraft back from the purchaser upon completion. See Note 1
for further details.
The aircraft leases range from base terms of up to 180 months with renewal options of up to 240 months in some cases, include purchase options upon expiration and some include early purchase options. The leases contain terms customary in transactions of this type, including provisions that allow the lessor to repossess the aircraft and require us to pay a stipulated amount if we default on our obligations under the agreements. These leases are included in the amounts disclosed above. The following is a summary of the terms related to aircraft leased under operating leases with original or remaining terms in excess of one year:
End
of Lease Term
Number
of Aircraft
Monthly Lease Payments
(in thousands)
Fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2017
11
$
1,627
Fiscal year 2018
to fiscal year 2020
49
9,512
Fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024
22
2,004
82
$
13,143
Employee
Agreements — Approximately 45% of our employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements and/or unions with 18% of these employees being represented by collective bargaining agreements and/or unions that have expired or will expire in one year. These agreements generally include annual escalations of up to 6%. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement.
During fiscal year 2015, we recognized $0.9 million in severance expense included in direct costs and general and administrative expense in our West Africa business unit. During fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively, we recognized $0.9
million and $2.9 million in severance expense included in direct costs and general and administrative expense in our North America business unit, primarily as a result of our planned closure of our Alaska operations. During fiscal years 2014 and 2013, we recognized $2.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in compensation expense included in direct cost related to severance costs as a result of the termination of two separate contracts in the Southern North Sea. Also, during fiscals year 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recognized approximately
$5.5 million, and $2.9 million, and $2.0 million, respectively, in compensation expense (including expenses recorded for the acceleration of unvested stock options and restricted stock), included in general and administrative expense, related to the separation between us and officers. We also have employment agreements with members of senior management. For further details on the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer, see Note 9.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Nigerian Litigation — In November 2005, two of our consolidated foreign affiliates were named in a lawsuit filed with the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria by Mr. Benneth Osita Onwubalili and his affiliated company, Kensit Nigeria Limited, which allegedly acted as agents of our affiliates in Nigeria. The claimants allege that an agreement between the parties was terminated without justification and seek damages of $16.3 million. We responded to this claim in early 2006. There has been minimal activity on this claim since then.
Environmental
Contingencies — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also referred to as the EPA, has in the past notified us that we are a potential responsible party, or PRP, at three former waste disposal facilities that are on the National Priorities List of contaminated sites. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund law, persons who are identified as PRPs may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances at National Priorities List sites. Although we have not yet obtained a formal release of liability from the EPA with respect to any of the sites, we believe that our potential liability in connection with the sites is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Other
Purchase Obligations — As of March 31, 2015, we had $308.2 million of other purchase obligations representing unfilled purchase orders for aircraft parts, commitments associated with upgrading facilities at our bases and non-cancelable power-by-the-hour maintenance commitments.
Other Matters - Although infrequent, aircraft accidents have occurred in the past, and the related losses and liability claims have been covered by insurance subject to deductible, self-insured retention and loss sensitive factors.
We operate in jurisdictions internationally where we are subject to risks that include government action to obtain additional tax revenue. In a number of these jurisdictions, political unrest,
the lack of well-developed legal systems and legislation that is not clear enough in its wording to determine the ultimate application, can make it difficult to determine whether legislation may impact our earnings until such time as a clear court or other ruling exists. We operate in jurisdictions currently where amounts may be due to governmental bodies that we are not currently recording liabilities for as it is unclear how broad or narrow legislation may ultimately be interpreted. We believe that payment of amounts in these instances is not probable at this time, but is reasonably possible.
A loss contingency is reasonably possible if the contingency has a more than remote but less than probable chance of occurring. Although management believes that there is no clear requirement to pay amounts at this time and that positions exist suggesting that no further amounts are currently due, it is reasonably possible that a loss
could occur for which we have estimated a maximum loss at March 31, 2015 to be approximately $5 million to $8 million.
We are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Companies
may use foreign tax credits to offset the U.S. income taxes due on income earned from foreign sources. However, the credit that may be claimed for a particular taxable year is limited by the total income tax on the U.S. income tax return as well as by the ratio of foreign source net income in each statutory category to total net income. The amount of creditable foreign taxes available for the taxable year that exceeds the limitation (i.e., “excess foreign tax credits”) may be carried back one year and forward ten years. We have $31.1 million of excess foreign tax credits as of March 31, 2015, of which $6.6 million will expire in fiscal year 2021,
$3.9 million will expire in fiscal year 2022, $0.2 million will expire in fiscal year 2023, $6.9 million will expire in fiscal year 2024 and $13.5 million will expire in 2025.
We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future and in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions. As
of March 31, 2015, valuation allowances totaled $11.7 million for operating loss carryforwards. The increase in the valuation allowance of $4.8 million in fiscal year 2015 resulted from foreign losses.
The components of income before provision for income taxes for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
Foreign
earnings that are currently taxed in the U.S.
8.7
%
4.1
%
4.6
%
Effect of reduction in U.K. corporate income tax rate
—
%
(1.2
)%
(1.7
)%
Dividend
inclusion as a result of internal realignment
—
%
1.1
%
—
%
Benefit of current year foreign tax credits
(11.3
)%
(5.2
)%
(5.5
)%
Tax
reserve release
(0.1
)%
(0.7
)%
—
%
Other, net
4.8
%
(4.4
)%
2.6
%
Effective
tax rate
20.4
%
23.4
%
21.0
%
Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 include a benefit due to the revaluation of our deferred taxes as a result of the enactment of tax rate reductions in the U.K. of $2.9 million and $2.9 million,
respectively, effective April 1 of each year.
In August 2008, certain of our existing and newly created subsidiaries completed intercompany leasing transactions involving eleven aircraft. The tax benefit of this transaction is being recognized over the remaining useful life of the assets, which is approximately 13 years. During each of the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, this transaction resulted in a $2.9 million reduction in our consolidated provision for income taxes.
Our operations are subject to the jurisdiction
of multiple tax authorities, which impose various types of taxes on us, including income, value added, sales and payroll taxes. Determination of taxes owed in any jurisdiction requires the interpretation of related tax laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative interpretations of the local tax authority. As a result, we are subject to tax assessments in such jurisdictions including the re-determination of taxable amounts by tax authorities that may not agree with our interpretations and positions taken. The following table summarizes the years open by jurisdiction as of March 31, 2015:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The effects of a tax position are recognized in the period in which we determine that it is more-likely-than-not (defined as a more than 50% likelihood) that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being recognized upon ultimate settlement.
We
have analyzed filing positions in the federal, state and foreign jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns for all open tax years. We believe that the settlement of any tax contingencies would not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and/or liquidity. In fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we had a net (benefit) provision of $0.5 million, $(1.5) million and $0.1 million, respectively, of reserves for tax contingencies primarily related to non-U.S. income tax on foreign leasing operations. Our policy is to accrue interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in our provision for income taxes. In fiscal years
2015, 2014 and 2013, $0.4 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in interest and penalties were accrued in connection with uncertain tax positions.
As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, we had $4.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an impact on our effective tax rate, if recognized. The $4.2
million recorded in fiscal year 2014 relates to pre-acquisition tax matters for the February 2014 acquisition of a 60% interest in Eastern Airways and are the subject of an indemnity, for which a corresponding indemnity asset has been established for the same amount.
The activity associated with our unrecognized tax benefit during fiscal years 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
Unrecognized tax benefits – beginning of fiscal year
$
4,380
$
1,710
Eastern
pre-acquisition tax liability
—
4,193
Increases for tax positions taken in prior years
591
129
Decreases for tax positions taken in prior
years
—
(1,434
)
Decrease related to settlements with authorities
(67
)
(218
)
Unrecognized tax benefits – end of fiscal year
$
4,904
$
4,380
Unremitted
foreign earnings reinvested abroad upon which U.S. income taxes have not been provided aggregated approximately $805.3 million and $679.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No accrual of income tax has been made for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 related to these indefinitely reinvested earnings as there was no plan in place to repatriate any of these foreign earnings to the U.S. as of the end of the fiscal year. Withholding taxes, if any, upon repatriation would not be significant. We do not currently provide for U.S. deferred taxes on unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries
as such earnings are deemed to be permanently reinvested. If such earnings were to be distributed, we could be subject to U.S. taxes, which may have a material impact on our results of operations. We cannot practicably estimate the amount of additional taxes that might be payable on unremitted earnings
We receive a tax benefit that is generated by certain employee stock benefit plan transactions. This benefit is recorded directly to additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheets and does not reduce our effective income tax rate. The tax benefit for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 totaled approximately $1.6 million, $5.7 million and $0.5 million,
respectively.
Income taxes paid during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $34.8 million, $59.1 million and $24.1 million, respectively.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 9 — EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Contribution Plans
The Bristow Group Inc. Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (the “Bristow Plan”) covers Bristow Group Inc., Bristow U.S. LLC, Bristow Panama Inc. and Bristow Alaska Inc. employees. Under the Bristow Plan, we match each participant’s contributions up to 3% of the employee’s compensation. In addition, under the Bristow Plan, we contribute an additional 3% of the employee’s compensation at the end of each calendar year.
Bristow Helicopters and Bristow International Aviation (Guernsey) Limited
(“BIAGL”) have a defined contribution plan. This defined contribution plan replaced the defined benefit pension plans described below for future accrual.
Our contributions to our defined contribution plans were $15.2 million, $12.7 million and $10.9 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit pension plans of Bristow Helicopters and BIAGL replaced by the defined contribution plans described above covered all full-time employees of Bristow Aviation and BIAGL employed on or before December 31,
1997. Both plans were closed to future accrual as of February 1, 2004. The defined benefits for employee members were based on the employee’s annualized average last three years’ pensionable salaries up to February 1, 2004, increasing thereafter in line with retail price inflation (prior to 2011) and consumer price inflation (from 2011 onwards), and subject to maximum increases of 5% per year over the period to retirement. Any valuation deficits are funded by contributions by Bristow Helicopters and BIAGL. Plan assets are held in separate funds administered by the plans’ trustee (the “Trustee”), which are primarily invested in equities and debt securities. For members of the two closed defined benefit pension plans, since January 2005, Bristow Helicopters contributes
a maximum of 7% of a participant’s non-variable salary, and since April 2006, the maximum employer contribution into the plan has been 7.35% for pilots. Each member is required to contribute a minimum of 5% of non-variable salary for Bristow Helicopters to match the contribution. In addition, there are three defined contribution plans for staff who were not members of the original defined benefit plans, two of which are closed to new members.
Bristow Norway has a final salary defined benefit pension plan. Pilots may retire from age 58 and other employees from age 62 (after meeting certain criteria). Bristow
Norway also participates in the standard Norwegian Avtalefestet pension (contractual pension or “AFP”) early retirement system, which is only applicable for non-pilots due to the higher retirement age. The pension benefit is a percentage of final salary in excess of a deductible. The maximum pension is available to those with 30 or more years of service as of the date of retirement. Additionally, there are associated death and disability benefits. Plan assets are held in an insurance policy with an insurance company and contributions follow Norwegian rules, which are based on an individual actuarial calculation for each plan member.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following tables provide a rollforward of the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, set forth the defined benefit retirement plans’ funded status and provide detail of the components of net periodic pension cost calculated for the U.K. and Norway pension plans. The measurement date adopted is March 31. For the purposes of amortizing gains and losses, the 10% corridor approach has been adopted and assets are taken at fair market value. Any such gains or losses are amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the plan members.
Service
cost for benefits earned during the period
$
7,878
$
7,886
$
8,209
Interest cost on PBO
26,000
26,861
25,683
Expected
return on assets
(31,020
)
(29,282
)
(29,068
)
Amortization of unrecognized losses
6,653
7,705
6,612
Net
periodic pension cost
$
9,511
$
13,170
$
11,436
The amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 31, 2015
expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost in fiscal year 2016 is $7.1 million, net of tax, and represents amortization of the net actuarial losses.
We utilize a British pound sterling denominated AA corporate bond index as a basis for determining the discount rate for our U.K. plans and NOK-denominated corporate bonds that are credit-rated AA or AAA as a basis for determining the discount rate for our Norway plan. The expected rate of return assumptions have been determined following consultation with
our actuarial advisors. In the case of bond investments, the rates assumed have been directly based on market redemption yields at the measurement date, and those on other asset classes represent forward-looking rates that have typically been based on other independent research by investment specialists.
Under U.K. and Guernsey legislation, it is the Trustee who is responsible for the investment strategy of the plans, although day-to-day management of the assets is delegated to a team of regulated investment fund managers. The Trustee of the Bristow Staff Pension Scheme (the “Scheme”) has the following three stated primary objectives when determining investment strategy:
(i)
“funding
objective” - to ensure that the Scheme is fully funded using assumptions that contain a modest margin for prudence. Where an actuarial valuation reveals a deficit, a recovery plan will be put in place which will take into account the financial covenant to the employer;
(ii)
“stability objective” - to have due regard to the likely level and volatility of required contributions when setting the Scheme’s investment strategy; and
(iii)
“security objective” - to ensure that the solvency position of the Scheme
(as assessed on a gilt basis) is expected to improve. The Trustee will take into account the strength of the employer’s covenant when determining the expected improvement in the solvency position of the Scheme.
The types of investments are held, and the relative allocation of assets to investments is selected, in light of the liability profile of the Scheme, its cash flow requirements, the funding level and the Trustee’s stated objectives. In addition, in order to avoid an undue concentration of risk, assets are diversified within and across asset classes.
In determining the overall investment strategy for the plans, the Trustee undertakes regular asset and liability modeling (“ALM”) with the assistance of their U.K. actuary. The ALM looks at a number of different investment scenarios and projects both a range and a best estimate of likely return from each
one. Based on these analyses, and following consultation with us, the Trustee determines the benchmark allocation for the plans’ assets.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The market value of the plan assets as of March 31, 2015 and 2014
was allocated between asset classes as follows. Details of target allocation percentages under the Trustee’s investment strategies as of the same dates are also included.
Target Allocation
as of March 31,
Actual Allocation
as of March 31,
Asset
Category
2015
2014
2015
2014
Equity securities
58.3
%
57.8
%
57.1
%
59.1
%
Debt
securities
31.1
%
30.8
%
35.8
%
27.6
%
Property
—
%
—
%
1.6
%
1.5
%
Other
assets
10.6
%
11.4
%
5.5
%
11.8
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
100.0
%
The
following table summarizes, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets we had as of March 31, 2015, which are valued at fair value (in thousands):
The
following table summarizes, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the plan assets we had as of March 31, 2014, which are valued at fair value (in thousands):
The
investments’ fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement. The fair value of assets using Level 2 inputs is determined based on the fair value of the underlying investment using quoted prices in active markets or other significant inputs that are deemed observable. Our Norway pension plan is vested in an insurance policy which is designated as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy and the fair value is based on the estimated value provided by the insurer.
Estimated future benefit payments over each of the next five fiscal years from March 31,
2015 and in aggregate for the following five fiscal years after fiscal year 2020, including life assurance premiums, are as follows (in thousands):
Projected Benefit Payments by the Plans for Fiscal Years Ending March 31,
Payments
2016
$
25,417
2017
26,222
2018
26,736
2019
27,548
2020
28,214
Aggregate
2021 - 2024
151,155
We expect to fund these payments with our cash contributions to the plans, plan assets and earnings on plan assets. We pre-funded our contributions of £12.5 million ($18.6 million) to the main U.K. plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 in fiscal year 2015. Our contributions to the U.K pension plans and Norwegian plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 are expected to be $18.1
million and $11.7 million, respectively.
Incentive Compensation
Incentive and Stock Option Plans — Stock–based awards are currently made under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). As of March 31, 2015, a maximum of 5,400,000 shares of Common Stock are reserved, including 2,377,643 shares available for incentive awards under the 2007 Plan. Awards granted under the 2007 Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, other stock-based awards (payable in cash or Common Stock) or performance awards, or any combination
thereof, and may be made to outside directors, employees or consultants.
In addition, we have the following incentive and stock plans which have awards outstanding as of March 31, 2015 but under which we no longer make grants:
•
The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”), which provided for awards to officers and key employees in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards or any combination thereof. Options become exercisable at such time or times as determined at the date of grant and expire no more than ten years
after the date of grant.
•
The 2003 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (the “2003 Director Plan”), which provided for a maximum of 250,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such plan. As of the date of each annual meeting, each non-employee director who met certain attendance criteria was automatically granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares of our Common Stock. The exercise price of the options granted was equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and the options were exercisable not earlier than six months after the date of grant
and expire no more than ten years after the date of grant.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
In June 2014, June 2013 and May 2012, the Compensation Committee of our board of directors
authorized the grant of stock options, time vested restricted stock and long-term performance cash awards to participating employees. Each of the stock options has a ten-year term and has an exercise price equal to the fair market value (as defined in the 2007 Plan) of the Common Stock on the grant date of $74.37, $62.66 and $43.38 per share for the June 2014, June 2013 and May 2012 awards, respectively. The options will vest in annual installments of one-third each, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock grants vest at the end of three years. Performance cash awards allow
the recipient to receive from 0 to 200% of the target amount at the end of three years depending on whether our total shareholder return meets the minimum return requirements and how our total shareholder return ranks among a peer group over the performance period. The value of the performance cash awards is calculated on a quarterly basis by comparing the performance of our Common Stock, including any dividends paid since the award date, against the peer group and has a maximum potential payout of $15.9 million, $13.2 million and $8.8 million for the June 2014, June 2013 and May 2012
awards, respectively. The total value of the awards is recognized as compensation expense over a three-year vesting period with the recognition amount being adjusted quarterly. Compensation expense related to the performance cash awards during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $14.1 million, $8.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively. Performance cash compensation expense has been allocated to our various business units.
In 2007, we established a program to allow vesting of outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants and to waive forfeitures
of outstanding performance restricted stock units upon retirement if the employee has achieved no less than five consecutive years of employment with the Company, voluntarily terminates employment after the age of 62 and enters into a noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreement in the form approved and provided by the Company. Subsequently, in 2010, we authorized an amendment to allow vesting of outstanding stock options and restricted stock grants, to continue the right to vest in performance cash awards and to waive forfeitures of outstanding performance restricted stock units upon retirement if the employee has accumulated a combined total of age and years of service with
the Company of 80, voluntarily terminates employment and enters into a noncompetition/nonsolicitation agreement in the form approved and provided by the Company. Upon retirement, any unexercised options to purchase Common Stock and shares of restricted stock under the 2004 and 2007 Plans will automatically vest and options will remain exercisable for the remainder of the term specified in the applicable award document and any outstanding performance restricted stock units granted under the 2004 or 2007 Plans will not be forfeited solely due to termination of employment, so that the right remains to receive shares of Common Stock if the applicable performance measures are achieved in accordance with the 2004 or 2007 Plans.
On
November 4, 2013, the compensation committee of our board of directors authorized an amendment to all outstanding awards under the 2004 and 2007 Plans. The amendment modified the provisions of the awards with respect to vesting and exercise of such awards upon the involuntary termination by the Company of the recipient’s employment other than for “Cause” as defined in the recipient’s employment agreement, if any, or as defined in the amendment. The amendment is effective with respect to outstanding awards held by employees who are employed on or after November 4, 2013. The compensation committee retains the discretion to modify or revoke the amendment prospectively and retroactively to the
extent such revocation or modification does not have a detrimental impact on an award granted prior to the date of such modification or revocation. If the terms of the amendment conflict with the provisions of an award recipient’s employment agreement, the provisions that are more favorable to the recipient apply. The treatment of awards under the plans pursuant to the amendment is similar to the treatment of awards pursuant to our policy for the treatment of awards upon retirement as described above. Upon retirement, however, vested stock options will be exercisable for the remainder of their original term, and performance-based restricted stock units will continue to vest on the original time and performance schedule. As of November 4, 2013, the Company expected awards to ultimately vest
under the original vesting conditions. As such, we continued to recognize compensation cost equal to the fair value of the awards at the grant date and no additional compensation expense was recorded during fiscal year 2014.
Total share-based compensation expense, which includes stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, was $16.4 million, $15.4 million and $11.9 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income and has been allocated to our various business
units. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no non-vested restricted stock units.
On May 14, 2013, our board of directors approved an amendment and restatement of the 2007 Plan, which was subsequently approved by our stockholders, to (1) increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder from 2,400,000 shares to 5,400,000 shares, (2) change the way shares are counted such that for each full-value share granted after stockholder approval of the amended and restated 2007 Plan, the available shares will be reduced by two shares whereas for each option and stock appreciation right
granted thereafter the available shares will be reduced by only one share, (3) reapprove and update the material terms of the 2007 Plan applicable to performance-based awards, (4) increase the maximum share and cash based individual award limits, (5) remove the ten-year term of the 2007 Plan, and (6) make other administrative and updating changes.
Stock options granted
to employees under the 2004 and 2007 Plans vest ratably over three years on each anniversary from the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Stock options granted to non-employee directors under the 2003 Director Plans vest after six months.
We use a Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based awards. The Black-Scholes option pricing model incorporates various assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, volatility, dividend yield and the expected term of the options.
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period equal to the expected term of the option. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of shares of our Common Stock, which has not been adjusted
for any expectation of future volatility given uncertainty related to the future performance of our Common Stock at this time. We also use historical data to estimate the expected term of the options within the option pricing model and groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of the options represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding. Additionally, we estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures at the time of grant and periodically revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual pre-vesting forfeitures differ from those estimates. We record stock-based compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on our historical forfeiture data.
The following table shows the assumptions we used to compute the stock-based compensation expense for stock
option grants issued during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted
$
17.17
$
23.77
$
16.73
Unrecognized
stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested stock options was approximately $8.2 million as of March 31, 2015, relating to a total of 662,352 unvested stock options. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. We expect to recognize this stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years. The total fair value of options vested during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $8.9 million, $5.1 million
and $3.9 million, respectively.
The total intrinsic value, determined as of the date of exercise, of options exercised during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2.4 million, $15.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively. The total amount of cash we received from option exercises during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $5.2 million, $15.4 million and $15.3
million, respectively. The total tax benefit attributable to options exercised during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.6 million, $5.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
The excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 of $1.6 million, $5.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, are reported on
our consolidated statements of cash flows in financing activities. This represents the reduction in the provision for income taxes otherwise payable during the period attributable to the actual gross tax benefits in excess of the expected tax benefits for options exercised in current and prior periods.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
We have restricted stock awards that cliff
vest on the third anniversary from the date of grant provided the grantee is still employed by the Company, subject to the Company’s retirement policy.
We record compensation expense for restricted stock awards based on an estimate of the service period related to the awards, which is tied to the future performance of our stock over certain time periods under the terms of the award agreements. The estimated service period is reassessed quarterly. Changes in this estimate may cause the timing of expense recognized in future periods to accelerate. Compensation expense related to awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013
was $10.1 million, $9.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively.
The following is a summary of non-vested restricted stock as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 and changes during fiscal year 2015:
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock was approximately $12.2 million as of March 31, 2015, relating to a total of 419,229 unvested restricted stock. We expect to recognize this stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of
approximately 1.8 years.
The Annual Incentive Compensation Plan provides for an annual award of cash bonuses to key employees based primarily on pre-established objective measures of performance. The bonuses related to this plan were $19.9 million, $17.2 million and $12.2 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Also, management awarded a one-time bonus to all non-officer employees meeting certain service criteria in March 2013 totaling $3.3 million in the aggregate.
Additionally, we have a non-qualified
deferred compensation plan for our senior executives. Under the terms of the plan, participants can elect to defer a portion of their compensation for distribution at a later date. In addition, we have the discretion to make annual tax deferred contributions to the plan on the participants’ behalf. We contributed $1.5 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million to this plan in each of fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The assets of the plan are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to our general creditors. As of March 31, 2015, the amount held in trust was $2.4 million.
Retirement
of President and Chief Executive Officer — On February 3, 2014, we announced that William E. Chiles would resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective upon the conclusion of the 2014 annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company that was held on July 31, 2014. On June 9, 2014, Jonathan E. Baliff began serving as President and on July 31, 2014
he assumed the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Baliff also became a member of the Board of Directors of the Company effective July 31, 2014. Mr. Chiles remains an employee of the Company and provides consulting services to the Company.
Mr. Chiles and the Company entered into a Retirement and Consulting Agreement, dated January 30, 2014
(the “Agreement”) to specify the terms of his continued employment with the Company. We recorded additional compensation expense, included in general and administrative expense, of $5.5 million during fiscal year 2015 related to the Agreement.
Voluntary Separation Plan — In March 2015, we offered a voluntary separation program (“VSP”) to certain employees as part of the Company's ongoing efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. The VSP was offered to approximately 2,888 employees and 137 employees accepted prior to the expiration of
the offers, the date of which varied by region. We will recognize the expense related to their termination benefits over their remaining service period, which we estimate will be $7.2 million, of which $6.8 million is expected to be recognized in fiscal year 2016.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note
10 — STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT, EARNINGS PER SHARE AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Stockholders’ Investment
Common Stock — The total number of authorized shares of Common Stock reserved as of March 31, 2015 was 4,133,008. These shares are reserved in connection with our stock-based compensation plans.
The following is a summary of changes in outstanding shares of Common Stock for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Common Stock — Under the Federal Aviation Act, it is unlawful to operate certain aircraft for hire within the U.S. unless such aircraft are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) and the FAA has issued an operating certificate to the operator. As a general rule, aircraft may be registered under the Federal Aviation Act only if the aircraft are owned or controlled by one or more citizens of the
U.S. and an operating certificate may be granted only to a citizen of the U.S. For purposes of these requirements, a corporation is deemed to be a citizen of the U.S. only if, among other things, at least 75% of its voting interests are owned or controlled by U.S. citizens. If persons other than U.S. citizens should come to own or control more than 25% of our voting interest or if any other requirements are not met, we have been advised that our aircraft may be subject to deregistration under the Federal Aviation Act, and we may lose our ability to operate within the U.S. Deregistration of our aircraft for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, would have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within our North America and Bristow Academy business units. Therefore, our organizational documents currently provide for the automatic
suspension of voting rights of shares of our Common Stock owned or controlled by non-U.S. citizens, and our right to redeem those shares, to the extent necessary to comply with these requirements. As of March 31, 2015, approximately 2,752,000 shares of our Common Stock were held by persons with foreign addresses. These shares represented approximately 8% of our total outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2015. Our foreign ownership may fluctuate on each trading day because our Common Stock and our 3% Convertible Senior notes are publicly traded.
Dividends — We paid quarterly dividends of $0.32
per share during each quarter of fiscal year 2015, $0.25 per share during each quarter of fiscal year 2014 and $0.20 per share during each quarter of fiscal year 2013. On May 15, 2015, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.34 per share of Common Stock, payable on June 18, 2015 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2015. For fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, we paid dividends totaling $45.1
million, $36.3 million and $28.7 million, respectively, to our stockholders. The declaration of future dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments.
Share Repurchases — During fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, we repurchased 1,160,940, 1,043,875 and 24,709 of shares of our Common Stock for $80.8 million,
$77.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. As of May 15, 2015, we had $125.0 million of repurchase authority remaining from $150.0 million that was authorized by our board of directors for share repurchases between November 6, 2014 and November 5, 2015.
We recorded the $80.8 million and $77.7 million payments as treasury stock on our consolidated balance sheets as of
March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 reflect the repurchase of shares when they were delivered.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share excludes options to purchase shares and restricted stock awards, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive, as follows:
Interest expense on assumed conversion of 3% Convertible
Senior Notes, net of tax (1)
—
—
—
Income available to common stockholders – diluted
$
84,300
$
186,737
$
130,102
Shares:
Weighted
average number of common shares outstanding – basic
35,193,480
36,283,853
36,010,191
Assumed conversion of 3% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding during the period (1)
—
—
—
Net
effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards based on the treasury stock method
335,125
412,911
479,821
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted
35,528,605
36,696,764
36,490,012
Basic
earnings per common share
$
2.40
$
5.15
$
3.61
Diluted earnings per common share
$
2.37
$
5.09
$
3.57
_________________
(1)
Diluted
earnings per common share for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 excludes a number of potentially dilutive shares determined pursuant to a specified formula initially issuable upon the conversion of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes. The 3% Convertible Senior Notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, using a net share settlement process, into a combination of cash and our Common Stock. As of March 31, 2015, the base conversion price of the notes was approximately $73.07, based on the base conversion rate of 13.6849 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of convertible
notes (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, including the payment of dividends). In general, upon conversion of a note, the holder will receive cash equal to the principal amount of the note and Common Stock to the extent of the note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. In addition, if at the time of conversion the applicable price of our Common Stock exceeds the base conversion price, holders will receive up to an additional 8.8952 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined pursuant to a specified formula. Such shares did not impact our calculation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 as our average stock price during these periods did not
meet or exceed the conversion requirements. See Note 5 for further details.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 11 — SEGMENT INFORMATION
We
conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Helicopter Services segment operations were conducted primarily through five business units: Europe, West Africa, North America, Australia, and Other International. Additionally, we operate a training business unit, Bristow Academy, and provide technical services to clients in the U.S. and U.K., which are included in Corporate and other.
The following tables show business unit information for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, and as of March 31,
2015 and 2014, where applicable, reconciled to consolidated totals, and prepared on the same basis as our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):
Investments
in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments:
Europe
$
—
$
1,067
North
America
61,015
61,570
Other International
149,075
193,692
Total
investments in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments
$
210,090
$
256,329
___________
(1)
On November
21, 2014, we sold our 50% interest in HCA. Additionally on July 14, 2013, we sold our 50% interest in the FB Entities. See Note 3 for details on the sale of HCA and the FB Entities.
(2)
Includes $232.3 million, $494.5 million and $140.1 million of construction in progress payments that were
not allocated to business units in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(3)
Includes $306.0 million and $477.9 million of construction in progress within property and equipment on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which primarily represents
progress payments on aircraft to be delivered in future periods.
We attribute revenue to various countries based on the location where helicopter services are actually performed. Long-lived assets consist primarily of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and are attributed to various countries based on the physical location of the asset at a given fiscal year-end. Entity-wide information by geographic area is as follows (in thousands):
Construction in progress attributable to aircraft (1)
306,012
477,933
$
2,157,101
$
2,268,751
___________
(1)
These
costs have been disclosed separately as the physical location where the aircraft will ultimately be operated is subject to change.
Effective April 1, 2015, we reorganized our global operations from five business units to four regions as follows: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe Caspian.
The Africa region will comprise all our operations and affiliates on the African continent, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Egypt.
The Americas region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in North America and South America, including Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
The Asia Pacific region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in Australia and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Sakhalin.
The
Europe Caspian region will comprise all our operations and affiliates in Europe and Central Asia, including Norway, the U.K. and Turkmenistan.
We will present our historical business unit operating results based on the new region structure beginning with our Quarterly Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2015.
During fiscal year 2015, we conducted operations in over 20 countries. Due to the nature of our principal assets, aircraft are regularly and routinely moved between operating areas (both domestic and foreign) to meet changes in market and operating conditions. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013
the aggregate activities of one major integrated oil and gas company accounted for 12%, 13% and 13%, respectively, of our consolidated gross revenue. No other client accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated gross revenue during those periods. During fiscal year 2015, our top ten clients accounted for 58.1% of consolidated gross revenue.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 12 — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Fiscal
Quarter Ended
June 30(1)(2)
September 30 (3)(4)
December 31 (5)(6)
March 31 (7)(8)
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
Fiscal Year 2015
Gross revenue
$
472,538
$
475,636
$
460,140
$
450,355
Operating
income (9)
65,192
44,064
8,916
27,702
Net
income attributable to Bristow Group (9)
44,109
26,082
(968
)
15,077
Earnings
per share:
Basic
$
1.24
$
0.74
$
(0.03
)
$
0.43
Diluted
$
1.23
$
0.73
$
(0.03
)
$
0.43
Fiscal
Year 2014
Gross revenue
$
398,994
$
417,328
$
412,335
$
440,925
Operating
income (9)
56,119
53,935
29,502
47,421
Net
income attributable to Bristow Group (9)
26,886
110,606
18,927
30,318
Earnings
per share:
Basic
$
0.74
$
3.04
$
0.52
$
0.84
Diluted
$
0.74
$
3.01
$
0.51
$
0.83
__________
(1)
Operating
income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014 included: (a) a decrease of $1.0 million, $0.7 million and $0.02, respectively, from our North America restructuring and (b) a decrease of $3.7 million, $2.4 million and $0.07, respectively, for CEO succession. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2014 included a decrease of $0.7 million and $0.02
respectively, in premiums as a result of the repurchase of a portion of the 6¼% Senior Notes (included in extinguishment of debt).
(2)
Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013 included a decrease of $8.3 million and $0.23 per share, respectively, as a result of the cancellation of a potential financing. Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013
included a decrease of $0.8 million, $0.5 million and $0.01, respectively, due to an impairment of inventories.
(3)
Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 included: (a) a decrease of $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.01, respectively, from North America restructuring, (b)
a decrease of $1.8 million, $1.2 million and $0.03, respectively, for CEO succession and (c) a decrease of $3.4 million, $2.7 million and $0.08, respectively, for additional inventory allowances related to excess inventory identified for an older large aircraft model we are removing from our operational fleet. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 included a decrease of $0.8 million and $0.02, respectively, in premiums as a result of the repurchase
of a portion of the 6 ¼ Senior Notes (included in other income (expense), net).
(4)
Operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 included: (a) a decrease of $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $0.03, respectively, due to the impairment of inventories as a result of our review of excess inventory on aircraft model types we ceased ownership of or classified all or a significant portion as held for sale and (b) a decrease of $0.5
million, $0.4 million and $0.01, respectively, related to the planned closure of our Alaska operations (primarily severance and retention expense included in direct costs and general and administrative expense). Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 included an increase of $67.9 million and $1.85, respectively, from a gain on sale of the FB Entities.
(5)
Operating
income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014 included: (a) a decrease of $3.8 million, $3.0 million and $0.09, respectively, for additional inventory allowances related to excess inventory identified for an older large aircraft model we are removing from our operational fleet, (b) a decrease of $5.3 million, $4.2 million and $0.12, respectively, for an accounting correction related to improperly capitalizing profit on intercompany technical services billings and (c) an increase of $0.8 million,
$0.6 million and $0.02, respectively, for an accrued maintenance cost reversal. Net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014 included: (a) an increase of $2.5 million and $0.07, respectively, from a gain on sale of HCA and (b) a decrease of $0.6 million and $0.02, respectively, in premiums as a result of the repurchase of a portion of the 6 ¼ Senior Notes (included in other income (expense), net).
(6)
Operating
income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2013 included: (a) a decrease of $2.1 million, $1.4 million and $0.04, respectively, from North America restructuring, (b) a decrease of $2.1 million, $1.6 million and $0.04, respectively, for severance costs as a result of a termination of a contract in the Southern North Sea and (c) a decrease of $19.3 million, $12.6 million
and $0.34, respectively, in lower earnings from Líder for additional tax charges resulting primarily from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(7)
Operating
income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015 included (a) a decrease of $10.4 million, $8.0 million and $0.23, respectively, due to fleet changes that resulted in additional depreciation expense and (b) a decrease of $0.9 million, $0.6 million and $0.02 for severance costs in West Africa.
(8)
Operating
income, net income and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014 included: (a) a decrease of $0.8 million, $0.5 million and $0.01 per share, respectively, from North America restructuring, (b) a decrease of $4.8 million, $3.1 million and $0.09 per share, respectively, for CEO succession and officer separation costs, (c) a decrease of $8.6 million, $6.6 million and $0.18 per share, respectively, for higher insurance premiums
due to a fire in Nigeria, (d) a decrease of $0.6 million, $0.4 million and $0.01 per share, respectively, for Mexico goodwill impairment, (e) an increase of $4.2 million, $2.8 million and $0.08 per share, respectively, for higher earnings from Líder related to an adjustment to tax charges recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and a tax indemnity payment resulting from a tax amnesty payment Líder made to the Brazilian government and (f) a decrease of $10.5 million, $8.4 million
and $0.23 per share, respectively, due to the impairment of inventories as a result of our review of excess inventory on aircraft model types we ceased ownership of or plan to dispose of over the next two fiscal years.
(9)
The fiscal quarters ended June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2014, and March 31, 2015 included $0.6 million, $0.1 million, $(26.3) million
and $(10.3) million, respectively in gain (loss) on disposal of assets included in operating income which also increased (decreased) net income by $0.5 million, $0.1 million, $(21.0) million and $(8.1) million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share by $0.01, zero, $(0.60) and $(0.23), respectively. The fiscal quarters ended June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2013, and March 31, 2014 included
$(1.7) million, $(3.1) million, $4.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in gains (loss) on disposal of assets included in operating income which also increased (decreased) net income by $(1.3) million, $(2.4) million, $3.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and diluted earnings per share by $(0.04), $(0.07), $0.09 and zero, respectively.
Note
13 — SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In connection with the issuance of the 7 1/2% Senior Notes (which we tendered and redeemed during fiscal year 2013), the 6 1/4% Senior Notes and the 3% Convertible Senior Notes, the Guarantor Subsidiaries fully, unconditionally, jointly and severally guaranteed the payment obligations under these notes. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, the balance sheet, statement
of income, comprehensive income and cash flow information for Bristow Group Inc. (“Parent Company Only”), for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and for our other subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries because management has determined that such information is not material to investors.
The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for condensed financial information and does
not include all disclosures included in annual financial statements, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The principal eliminating entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and intercompany revenue and expense.
The allocation of the consolidated income tax provision was made using the with and without allocation method.
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We carried out an evaluation under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including Jonathan E. Baliff, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and John H. Briscoe, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”),
of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2015. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure under the Exchange Act.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The 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.
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 CEO and CFO, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2015.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31,
2015 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report included herein.
The scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting includes all of the Company’s consolidated operations except for the operations of Airnorth. As described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we acquired Airnorth on January 29, 2015. We are in the process of integrating the acquired business. The process of integrating Airnorth into our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting may result in future changes to our internal controls. Airnorth’s operations represent 0.6% of the
Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and assets associated with Airnorth’s operations represent 2.5% of the Company’s consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2015.
MATERIAL CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bristow Group Inc.:
We have audited Bristow Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Bristow Group Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We
believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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.
In our opinion, Bristow Group Inc. maintained,
in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
The scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting includes all of the Company’s consolidated operations except for the operations of Capiteq Limited, operating under the name of Airnorth, which the Company acquired on January 29, 2015. Airnorth’s operations
represent 0.6% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and assets associated with Airnorth’s operations represent 2.5% of the Company’s consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2015. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Airnorth’s operations.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ investment for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015, and our report dated May 20, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers
and Corporate Governance
The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2015 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions “Corporate Governance,”“Committees of the Board of Directors,” and “Executive Officers of the Registrant” and is incorporated into this document by reference.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees, known as the Code of Business Integrity. The Code of Business Integrity is available on
our website at http://www.bristowgroup.com under “About Us” and “Vision, Mission, Values” caption. In the event that we amend or waive any of the provisions of the Code of Business Integrity with respect to our senior officers, we intend to disclose the amendment or waiver on our website or, alternatively, through the filing of a Form 8-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The
information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2015 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Director and Executive Officer Compensation” and, except as specified in the following sentence, is incorporated into this document by reference. Information in our fiscal year 2015 proxy statement not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC under its rules, including the Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation and the Report of the Audit Committee is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this report.
Item 12. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2015 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated into this document by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by Item 13 appears in Items 11 and 12 of this report.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information called for by this item will be contained in our definitive proxy statement to be distributed in connection with our fiscal year 2015 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption “Approval and Ratification of the Company’s Independent Auditors” and is incorporated into this document by reference.
All schedules have been omitted because the information required is included in the financial statements or notes or have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required.
Share
and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2012, by and among the Bristow Group Inc., Kenlor Investments Ltd., VIH Aviation Group, Ltd., VIH Helicopters USA, Inc., CGSCH Enterprises Ltd., Cougar Aviation Ltd., Cougar Helicopters Inc., BHNA Holdings Inc., Bristow Canada Holdings Inc., Bristow Canadian Real Estate Company Inc., and Kenneth Norie.
(2) Indenture,
dated as of June 17, 2008, among Bristow Group Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Base Indenture”).
(6) Form
of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C. (a Schedule I has been filed as part of this exhibit setting forth certain terms omitted from the Form of Aircraft Lease Agreement).
(52) Form of Unanimous Shareholder Agreement, by and among Bristow Group Inc., Kenneth Norie, Cougar Helicopters Inc., and the other parties signatory thereto.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.2)†
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Confidential
information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a confidential treatment request under Rule 24(b)-2.
Agreements with respect to certain of the registrant’s long-term debt are not filed as Exhibits hereto inasmuch as the debt authorized under any such Agreement does not exceed 10% of the registrant’s total assets. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of each such Agreement to the SEC upon request.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 20th day of May, 2015.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the listed capacities on the 20th day of May, 2015.
Share and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2012, by and among the Bristow Group Inc., Kenlor Investments Ltd., VIH Aviation Group, Ltd., VIH Helicopters USA, Inc., CGSCH Enterprises Ltd., Cougar Aviation Ltd., Cougar Helicopters Inc., BHNA Holdings Inc., Bristow Canada
Holdings Inc., Bristow Canadian Real Estate Company Inc., and Kenneth Norie.
(2) Indenture,
dated as of June 17, 2008, among Bristow Group Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Base Indenture”).
(6) Form of Aircraft Lease agreement between CFS Air, LLC and Air Logistics, L.L.C. (a Schedule I has been filed as part of this exhibit setting forth certain terms omitted from the Form of Aircraft Lease Agreement).
(52)
Form of Unanimous Shareholder Agreement, by and among Bristow Group Inc., Kenneth Norie, Cougar Helicopters Inc., and the other parties signatory thereto.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.2)†
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Confidential
information has been omitted from this exhibit and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a confidential treatment request under Rule 24(b)-2.
Agreements with respect to certain of the registrant’s long-term debt are not filed as Exhibits hereto inasmuch as the debt authorized under any such Agreement does not exceed 10% of the registrant’s total assets. The registrant agrees to furnish a copy
of each such Agreement to the SEC upon request.
Dates Referenced Herein and Documents Incorporated by Reference
