AVATION PLC

("Avation" or "the Company")

UNAUDITED Financial Results for the YEar ended 30 june 2022

Avation PLC (LSE: AVAP), the commercial passenger aircraft leasing company, announces preliminary unaudited financial results for the year ended 30 June 2022.

Key Financial Results

·    Profit after tax of $17.1 million (2021: $84.9 million loss);

·    Earnings per share of 24.7 cents (2021: Loss per share 131.2 cents);

·    Net asset value per share increased 63% to £2.68 (2021: £1.64);

·    Revenue and other income reduced by 3% to $116.4 million (2021: $120.1 million);

·    Net indebtedness was reduced by 14% to $792.9 million (2021: $922.6 million);

·    Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents increased by 41% to $35.3 million (2021: $25.1 million), with total cash and bank balances of $119.2 million (2021: $122.5 million); and

·    Profit before tax (before non-cash loan modification charges) of $34.9 million (2021: Loss before tax $120.5 million).

Operational Highlights

·    Warehouse loan facility maturity date extended to 30 September 2026;

·    Five aircraft were sold during the year, comprising an Airbus A220-300, an Airbus A321-200 and three ATR 72 turboprops;

·    Placed one ex-Virgin Australia ATR 72 aircraft on lease;

·    Three leases extended including two ATR 72 turboprops and one Airbus A320 jet aircraft;

·    Transitioned an Airbus A320 to a new customer;

·    Repossessed a Boeing 737-800;

·    Philippine Airlines restructuring completed with a Boeing 777-300ER remaining on lease with the airline.

Executive Chairman, Jeff Chatfield, said:

"In the year ended 30 June 2022 Avation has returned to profitability, increased net asset value per share, maintained liquidity, materially lowered net indebtedness and clearly enunciated its new low CO2 strategy. The Company is well positioned to execute its business strategy as the aviation sector returns to pre-pandemic levels of activity.

"The 2022 financial results reflect the end of the pandemic and the return to a high level of utilisation for Avation's aircraft fleet. There has been a significant recent recovery in passenger numbers and the airline industry. The Company is optimistic about a future for the leasing industry characterised by high demand for aircraft as the global fleet builds and transitions to low CO2 technology in the coming years.

"Fleet utilisation has improved as unutilised aircraft have been repositioned or sold. The significant impacts of airline insolvencies and the restructuring of some of Avation's customers have mostly been reflected in previous periods and distributions to creditors from these insolvencies are being received.

"The Company is seeing increased levels of interest from airlines to buy or lease aircraft at sustainable lease rates, senior lenders willing to lend against aircraft assets and improved utilisation of aircraft. These factors confirm the emergence of the industry from the pandemic.

"The Company's strategy will focus on leasing modern, low CO2 emissions, fuel-efficient aircraft in the future. Avation is supportive of the aviation industry's goal of becoming more sustainable through a transition to new technology more fuel-efficient aircraft engines and the use of sustainable aviation fuel to reduce CO2 emissions.

"The Company will position itself for a return to growth through opportunistic aircraft trading and deliveries from its orderbook in the post pandemic environment."

Financial Highlights and Analysis

1.   Fleet assets are defined as property, plant and equipment plus assets held for sale plus finance lease receivables.

2.   Cash and bank balances as at 30 June 2022 comprise cash and cash equivalents of $35.3 million (30 June 2021: $25.1 million) and restricted cash balances of $83.9 million (30 June 2021: $97.4 million).

3.   Net asset value per share is total equity divided by the total number of shares in issue, excluding treasury shares.

4.   Based on GBP:USD exchange rate as at 30 June 2022 of 1.22 (30 June 2021:1.38).

5.   Legal and professional fees were included within administrative expenses in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021.  Legal and professional fees are disclosed as a separate line item in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 and the comparative figures have been restated to conform presentation.

Aircraft Fleet

At 30 June 2022, Avation's fleet comprised 39 aircraft, including six aircraft on finance lease. Avation serves 17 customers in 14 countries. The weighted average age of the fleet is 5.6 years (30 June 2021: 4.8 years) and the weighted average remaining lease term is 5.7 years (30 June 2021: 6.4 years).

One Airbus A220-300, one Airbus A321-200 and three ATR 72-600 aircraft were sold during the period. Turboprop and narrowbody aircraft make up 83% of fleet assets as at 30 June 2022. Fleet assets decreased 8.0% to $988.0 million (30 June 2021: $1,079.6 million). Three aircraft in the fleet were unencumbered at 30 June 2022. As at the date of this report, Avation has four unutilised aircraft as a result of re-positioning or selling 17 of the 20 aircraft that were returned from customers during the pandemic and the repossession of an ATR 72-600 since 30 June 2022.

Avation has orders for two ATR 72-600 aircraft and purchase rights for a further 28 aircraft as at 30 June 2022. The order-book represents a growth opportunity as purchase rights provide a visible pathway to fleet growth.

Avation has no current, and has never had any, direct exposure to Russia or any Russian airline. Avation is currently not aware of any sanctions resulting from the events in Ukraine that will impact the Company.

Fleet Valuation Review

Avation has impaired the value of its aircraft fleet by over $132.8 million over the past two years, due to significant airline customer failures and uncertainty created by the pandemic, including $9.9 million in the results for the six months to 31 December 2021. The rapid recovery in global air travel and improvements in airline credit worthiness now support an improvement in the overall value of Avation's fleet.

Avation has reviewed the values of aircraft in its fleet and reversed some of the previous impairment charges and increased the overall value of the fleet. The increase in valuation represents a small proportion of the impairments taken during the pandemic. The review resulted in $3.7 million of impairment being reversed in the six months ended 30 June 2022 with a further $17.5 million recorded as an increase in the asset revaluation reserve. The value of aircraft purchase rights has also increased. Purchase rights represent an opportunity for access to the popular, new technology, fuel efficient ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.

As the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, demand for aircraft is expected to continue increasing. As airline travel continues to recover, expected improvements in lease rates may lead to further increases in aircraft values in the future.

Airline Customers subject to Restructuring or Insolvency

Insolvency proceedings impacted two airlines during the period, Virgin Australia and Philippine Airlines

Virgin Australia

Avation's claim against Virgin Australia has been adjudicated by the Trustee of the Creditors Trust in the sum of AUD101.4 million. Avation was notified of an initial distribution from the Creditors Trust of 5.4 cents in the dollar on 15 September 2022. A further distribution based on funds withheld by the Trustee is expected. In addition to this distribution further funds may be made available to creditors should Virgin Australia meet performance targets in the financial year ended 30 June 2023. The potential total of these additional distributions is estimated to be in the range of 1.0 - 2.0 cents in the dollar.

Philippine Airlines

The Philippine Airlines ("PAL") restructuring plan became effective on 31 December 2021. Pursuant to the restructuring plan, PAL has retained a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on lease from Avation. The lease for this aircraft will continue until the original scheduled termination date. PAL has met its commitments under the restructuring agreement and continues to meet the ongoing lease terms. Avation has received shares in PAL as part of the restructuring arrangement and may seek to realise the value of these shares in the future.

Debt summary

1.   Net indebtedness is defined as loans and borrowings less unrestricted cash and bank balances.

2.   Net debt to assets is defined as net indebtedness divided by total assets.

3.   Weighted average cost of secured debt is the weighted average interest rate for secured loans and borrowings at period end.

4.   Weighted average cost of total debt is the weighted average interest rate for total loans and borrowings at period end.

During the period net indebtedness was reduced by 14.1% to $792.9 million (30 June 2021: $922.6 million). In addition to this the Company was able to successfully extend the maturity date of its aircraft warehouse loan facility to 30 September 2026 resulting in a material reduction in current liabilities.

The weighted average cost of total debt is 5.7% as at 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: 5.4%). The weighted average cost of secured debt was stable at 4.0% at 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: 3.9%).

At the end of the financial period, Avation's net debt to total assets ratio had improved to 65.1% (30 June 2021: 71.9%). As at 30 June 2022, 89.2% of total debt was at fixed or hedged interest rates (30 June 2021: 90.9%). The proportion of unsecured debt to total debt was 35.8% (30 June 2021: 29.9%).

Accounting impact (non-cash) of Bond extension and Warehouse Facility Extension

In the year ended 30 June 2021 Avation completed a process to extend the maturity date of Avation Capital S.A.'s Senior Notes ("Notes") from May 2021 to October 2026. The extension of the maturity date and other revisions to the terms and conditions of the Notes were accounted for as a substantial modification of the terms of a debt instrument in accordance with IFRS 9 which led to a non-cash gain of $50.3 million being recognised in the statement of profit or loss in the year ended 30 June 2021. Under IFRS 9 this gain is required to be amortised over the term of the extension of the Notes. Investors should note that in the current financial year ended 30 June 2022 amortisation of this gain led to a non-cash charge of $8.8 million being recognised in finance expenses. A further non-cash charge of $3.5 million was recorded when Avation successfully extended the maturity date of its aircraft warehouse loan facility to 30 September 2026.

Interim Management Statement

The global aviation industry's emergence from the pandemic continues. The rapid resurgence of passenger numbers has been particularly evident in the period to the date of this announcement. Current trading and collection of arrears remain steady. In the Company's opinion, the recent improvement in travel is due to a combination of the Omicron variant being less severe and high vaccination rates that have allowed governments to drop mask mandates and ease travel restrictions. This trend is evident in regional and domestic travel and is being followed by a recovery in international travel.

Avation's recent focus has necessarily been directed towards maintaining liquidity, re-positioning or sale of unutilised aircraft and reducing leverage. In the six-month period to 30 June 2022 material events that have impacted Avation's financial position include the completion of PAL's restructuring, completion of the sale of three ex-Virgin Australia ATR 72 aircraft and the extension to 30 September 2026 of the Company's warehouse loan facility. The Company will maintain focus on these key elements of the business in the short term. However, given that a significant number of pandemic related issues have been resolved, the Company is optimistic about opportunities in the post pandemic environment.

During the period to the date of this announcement, Avation has developed a sustainable, low emissions aircraft growth strategy. This initiative was supported by the recent release of the new lower emissions PW127XT engine and announcement that future variants of the ATR 72 aircraft will include hybrid technology and use 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. In addition, an ATR 72 aircraft has also completed the first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel commercial flight. The Company's future business strategy will be to focus on leasing modern, low CO2 emissions, fuel-efficient aircraft. We anticipate gradually trading out of older aircraft types and focussing on aircraft types such as the Airbus NEO and A220 series in addition to ATR 72 aircraft with the recently announced new generation engines. The Company's portfolio already comprises a significant proportion of Airbus A220 and ATR 72 aircraft showing our commitment to new technology, fuel-efficient aircraft types.

Future ATR 72 deliveries from Avation's orderbook will be powered by the new Pratt and Whitney Canada PW127XT engine which promises 20% lower maintenance costs, extended time on wing, 3% lower fuel consumption and 5% more power compared with the current engine. The manufacturer expects that the PW127XT engine will be certified to operate with 100% SAF from 2025. When using SAF net emissions of CO2 will be reduced by 80%.

Industry data suggests that airlines will require significant numbers of leased aircraft following the pandemic due to the large number of older aircraft that have been retired and the impact of the pandemic on airline balance sheets, reducing their ability to purchase aircraft directly. This supports the Company's strategy of focussing on young and popular commercial aircraft.

Avation's functional currency is the US Dollar.  As at 30 June 2022 the net asset value per share was $3.27, equivalent to £2.68 based on a GBP:USD exchange rate of 1.22.  As at the date of this report the GBP:USD exchange rate is 1.07.  The 30 June 2022 net asset value per share of $3.27 is equivalent to £3.06 based on an exchange rate of 1.07.

Market Positioning

Avation's long-term strategy is to target growth and diversification by adding new airline customers, while maintaining a low average aircraft age and long remaining lease term metrics. Avation focuses on new and relatively new commercial passenger aircraft on long-term leases.

Avation supports and recognises the transition of the aircraft industry towards aircraft using 100% sustainable aviation fuel to produce low CO2 emissions on a net basis. Low CO2 emissions will advantage airlines in terms of taxes and government imposts and are key to providing a sustainable future for global aviation.

The Company's business model involves rigorous investment criteria that seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the aircraft leasing sector. Avation will typically sell mid-life and older aircraft and redeploy capital to newer assets. This approach is intended to mitigate technology change risk, operational and financial risk, support sustained growth and deliver long-term shareholder value.

Avation is an active trader of aircraft and from time to time will consider the acquisition or sale of individual or smaller portfolios of aircraft, based on prevailing market opportunities and consideration of risk and revenue concentrations.

Funding of asset acquisitions is traditionally sourced from capital markets, asset-backed bank lending, operational cash flows and disposals of selected aircraft. Access to acceptably priced funding is a key factor in aircraft leasing. Specific risks which are inherent in the aircraft leasing industry include, but are not limited to, ongoing pandemic impacts on travel, government regulations, the creditworthiness of airline customers, over-production of new aircraft and market saturation, technology change, residual value risks, competition from other lessors and the risk of impairment of aircraft assets.    

Results Conference Call

Avation's senior management team will host an investor update call on 29 September 2022, at 2:30 pm BST (UK) / 9:30 am EST (US) / 9:30 pm SGT (Singapore), to discuss the Company's financial results. Investors can participate in the call by using the following link:

https://www.investormeetcompany.com/avation-plc/register-investor

A replay of the broadcast will be available on the Investor Relations page of the Avation Plc website.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains certain "forward looking statements". Forward looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "intends," "initiate", "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for Avation's future business and financial performance. Forward looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially due to global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors and risks. Further information on the factors and risks that may affect Avation's business is included in Avation's regulatory announcements from time to time, including its Annual Report, Full Year Financial Results and Half Year Results announcements. Avation expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in its views or expectations, or otherwise.

Basis of presentation

This announcement covers the unaudited results of Avation PLC for the financial period ended 30 June 2022.

Financial information presented in this announcement is being published for the purposes of providing preliminary Group financial results for the year ended 30 June 2022. The financial information in this preliminary announcement is not audited and does not constitute statutory financial statements of Avation PLC within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Board of Directors approved this financial information on 28 September 2022. Avation PLC's most recent statutory financial statements for the purposes of Chapter 7 of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 June 2021, upon which the auditors have given an unqualified audit, were published on 26 October 2021 and have been annexed to the annual return and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

All "$" amounts in this release are US Dollar amounts unless stated otherwise. Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

-ENDS-

Enquiries:

Avation PLC - Jeff Chatfield, Executive Chairman                                      +65 6252 2077

Avation welcomes shareholder questions and comments and advises the email address is: investor@avation.net

More information on Avation is available at www.avation.net.

AVATION PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

AVATION PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY CHANGES

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2021

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022