Era Group Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 02/25/16 -- Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA)

During 2015, the Company:

• generated positive free cash flows despite the deteriorating business environment;
• consolidated its Brazilian joint venture, Aeróleo Taxi Aero S/A ("Aeróleo"), and purchased a 75% interest in Sicher Helicopters SAS ("Sicher"), a helicopter operator in Colombia;
• sold its fixed base operations ("FBO") in Alaska for proceeds of $14.3 million, resulting in gains of $12.9 million;
• upgraded its fleet by placing in service its first two S92 heavy helicopters and two AW189 heavy helicopters;
• repurchased $50.2 million principal amount of its 7.750% senior unsecured notes (the "7.750% Senior Notes") for total cash of $47.9 million, inclusive of accrued interest; and
• recorded an impairment charge of $1.9 million on the write-off of its goodwill balance and non-recurring tax charges of $3.8 million resulting from the consolidation of Aeróleo and $1.0 million related to the transfer of a helicopter to Sicher.

Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) today reported a net loss for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015 ("current quarter") of $3.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $73.9 million compared to net income of $3.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $74.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 ("prior year quarter"). Excluding the special items discussed below and a $3.8 million write-off of a deferred tax asset resulting from the consolidation of Aeróleo, current quarter net income would have been $0.9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. The Company also reported net income of $8.7 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2015 ("current year") on operating revenues of $281.8 million compared to net income of $17.1 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, on operating revenues of $331.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("prior year").

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") was $16.8 million in the current quarter compared to $18.6 million in the prior year quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $16.3 million in the current quarter compared to $18.6 million in the prior year quarter. Gains on asset dispositions were $1.0 million in the current quarter. There were no significant gains in the prior year quarter. Special items in the current quarter consisted of a $1.4 million gain on debt extinguishment related to the repurchase of a portion of the 7.750% Senior Notes and a $1.9 million goodwill impairment charge. There were no special items in the prior year quarter.

EBITDA was $81.7 million in the current year compared to $85.9 million in the prior year. EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $63.0 million in the current year compared to $84.7 million in the prior year. The Company sold or otherwise disposed of helicopters and related equipment for gains of $6.0 million in the current year compared to gains of $6.1 million in the prior year. Special items in the current year consisted of a $1.6 million gain on debt extinguishment related to the repurchase of a portion of the 7.750% Senior Notes, a $12.9 million gain on the sale of the Company's FBO in Alaska and the goodwill impairment charge discussed above. Special items in the prior year consisted of $2.5 million in severance-related expenses for the Company's former Chief Executive Officer and a $2.5 million impairment charge related to a probable loss of a note receivable.

"I would like to thank everyone at Era for their diligence in achieving our target of zero air accidents in 2015, extending our clean sheet of zero air accidents in 2014," said Chris Bradshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Era Group. "Safety is our most important core value and remains the highest operational priority for our customers and Era."

"We believe the challenging industry conditions prevalent in 2015 are likely to persist for the next several quarters as oil and gas companies further reduce their spending levels and there continues to be an excess supply of heavy and medium helicopters in the market. Over the last 16 months, we have reduced headcount by more than 25%, reduced and deferred firm capital commitments, sold our FBO business and helicopter assets for significant gains over book value, lowered our fixed charges by repurchasing $50 million of our 7.750% Senior Notes at discounts to par and successfully implemented other cost control measures. We remain focused on maintaining the highest safety performance, maximizing the utilization of our fleet, realizing operational efficiencies and protecting our balance sheet."

"Era has a strong credit profile and ample liquidity to navigate through a prolonged market downturn. During the fourth quarter, we continued to generate positive operating cash flows and improved the funded debt-to-EBITDA and interest coverage ratios under our revolving credit facility to 2.6x and 8.4x, respectively."

Fourth Quarter Results

Operating revenues were $0.7 million lower in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower utilization and lower average rates in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, dry-leasing and air medical contracts that ended subsequent to the prior year quarter and the sale of the FBO in May 2015. These decreases were partially offset by increased revenues due to the consolidation of Aeróleo.

Operating expenses were $0.7 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to reductions in fuel, personnel and other operating costs in our U.S. business, partially offset by increases due to the consolidation of Aeróleo.

Administrative and general expenses were $1.4 million higher in the current quarter due to the consolidation of Aeróleo and increased bad debt reserves, which offset reduced shared service and compensation expenses in the U.S.

Income tax expense was $4.5 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the write-off of a deferred tax asset upon the consolidation of Aeróleo.

Equity losses were $1.2 million in the current quarter primarily due to losses from the Company's Dart Holding Company Ltd. ("Dart") joint venture.

Sequential Quarter Results

Net loss in the current quarter was $3.4 million compared to net income of $0.9 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 ("preceding quarter"). EBITDA was $16.8 million in the current quarter compared to $17.1 million in the preceding quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $16.3 million in the current quarter compared to $15.3 million in the preceding quarter. Gains on asset dispositions were $1.8 million, and special items were less than $0.1 million in the preceding quarter.

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $4.2 million higher compared to the preceding quarter due to the consolidation of Aeróleo, partially offset by the end of seasonal activities in Alaska and lower fleet utilization.

Operating expenses were $2.1 million higher due to the consolidation of Aeróleo partially offset by reductions in personnel and repairs and maintenance costs. Administrative and general expenses were $0.2 million lower due to reductions in professional services and compensation expenses in the U.S, partially offset by increases due to the consolidation of Aeróleo and increased bad debt reserves.

Full Year Results

Operating revenues were $49.4 million lower in the current year primarily due to reduced utilization of medium helicopters operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, dry-leasing and air medical contracts that ended subsequent to the prior year and the sale of the FBO in May 2015. These decreases were partially offset by higher revenues from international oil and gas operations due to the consolidation of Aeróleo.

Operating expenses were $32.9 million lower in the current year primarily due to lower fuel, repairs and maintenance and personnel expenses.

Administrative and general expenses were $1.2 million lower in the current year primarily due to lower compensation costs and transition services, which were partially offset by higher professional fees and Aeróleo expenses.

Depreciation expense was $1.0 million higher in the current year primarily due to a base expansion project and new helicopters placed in service.

During the current year, the Company sold or otherwise disposed of helicopters and other equipment for total consideration of $36.5 million, including cash proceeds of $25.3 million, resulting in gains of $6.0 million, compared to proceeds from helicopter and equipment sales of $7.1 million and gains of $6.1 million in the prior year.

Interest expense was $1.3 million lower in the current year primarily due to increased capitalized interest and interest savings resulting from the repurchase of a portion of the 7.750% Senior Notes.

Derivative losses, net, were less than $0.1 million in the Current Year. Unrealized derivative losses of $0.9 million in the Prior Year were primarily due to the revaluation to market of forward currency contracts.

Income tax expense was $5.8 million higher in the current year primarily due to the write-off of a deferred tax asset related to the consolidation of Aeróleo and a nonrecurring charge related to the acquisition of Sicher.

Equity losses were $1.9 million in the current year compared to equity earnings of $2.7 million in the prior year. The reduction in equity earnings is primarily due to the sale of a 51% interest in Lake Palma S.A. in the prior year for a gain of $1.5 million, net of tax, and equity losses from Dart in the current year.

Fleet Update

During the current quarter, the Company's capital expenditures were $12.8 million, which consisted primarily of payments for new helicopter purchases. The Company placed two S92 heavy helicopters in service during the current quarter, one of which was delivered in the preceding quarter, and took delivery of and placed in service two AW189 heavy helicopters during the current quarter. The Company records helicopter acquisitions in property and equipment and places helicopters in service once completion work has been finalized and the helicopters are ready for use.

The Company continues to experience excess capacity in its medium and heavy helicopters and expects this excess capacity to persist for the next several quarters. Excess helicopters include the Company's helicopters other than those under customer contracts, undergoing maintenance or dedicated for charter activity. The Company is participating in several competitive bids to place excess medium and heavy helicopters on contract. In addition, the Company may sell certain helicopters on an opportunistic basis consistent with its stated strategy.

Capital Commitments

The Company's unfunded capital commitments as of December 31, 2015 consisted primarily of orders for helicopters and totaled $150.3 million, of which $38.9 million is payable during 2016 with the balance payable through 2018. The non-cancellable portion of helicopter commitments payable in 2016 is $13.4 million. The Company may terminate $123.6 million of its total commitments (inclusive of deposits paid on options not yet exercised) without further liability other than liquidated damages of $3.2 million in the aggregate.

Included in these capital commitments are agreements to purchase seven AW189 heavy helicopters, two S92 heavy helicopters and five AW169 light twin helicopters. The AW189 and S92 helicopters are scheduled to be delivered in 2016 through 2018. Delivery dates for the AW169 helicopters have yet to be determined. In addition, the Company had outstanding options to purchase up to an additional ten AW189 helicopters and two S92 helicopters. If these options are exercised, the helicopters would be delivered beginning in 2017 through 2018. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $1.5 million of deposits paid on these unexercised helicopter purchase options.

Capital Allocation and Liquidity

In the current quarter, the Company repurchased $25.3 million principal amount of its 7.750% Senior Notes at prices ranging from 79.00 to 95.00 for total cash of $23.5 million, inclusive of accrued interest, and recognized gains of $1.4 million.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $14.4 million in cash balances and $207.1 million of remaining availability under its senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Facility") for total liquidity of $221.5 million. The Company's funded debt-to-EBITDA and interest coverage ratios, as defined in the Facility, improved during the quarter to 2.6x and 8.4x, respectively.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on Friday, February 26, 2016 to review the results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. The conference call can be accessed as follows:

All callers will need to reference the access code 1755914

Within the U.S.: Operator Assisted Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (888) 576-4398

Outside the U.S.: Operator Assisted International Dial-In Number: (719) 325-2495

Replay

A telephone replay will be available through March 10, 2016 and may be accessed by calling (888) 203-1112 for domestic callers or (719) 457-0820 for international callers. An audio replay will also be available on the Company's website at www.eragroupinc.com shortly after the call and will be accessible through March 10, 2016.

About Era Group

Era Group is one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport operator in the U.S. In addition to servicing its U.S. customers, Era Group also provides helicopters and related services to customers and third-party helicopter operators in other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Era Group's helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore oil and gas production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure

Certain statements discussed in this release as well as in other reports, materials and oral statements that the Company releases from time to time to the public include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements concerning management's expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated performance and financial condition and other similar matters involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements discussed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, the Company's dependence on, and the cyclical and volatile nature of, offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity, and the impact of general economic conditions and fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for oil and natural gas on such activity levels; the Company's reliance on a small number of customers and the reduction of its customer base resulting from consolidation; cost-saving initiatives implemented by the Company's customers; risks inherent in operating helicopters; the Company's ability to maintain an acceptable safety record; the Company's ability to successfully expand into other geographic and helicopter service markets; the impact of increased U.S. and foreign government regulation and legislation, including potential government implemented moratoriums on drilling activities; risks of engaging in competitive processes or expending significant resources with no guaranty of recoupment; risks of a grounding of all or a portion of the Company's fleet for extended periods of time or indefinitely; risks that the Company's customers reduce or cancel contracted services or tender processes; the Company's reliance on a small number of helicopter manufacturers and suppliers; risks associated with political instability, governmental action, war, acts of terrorism and changes in the economic condition in any foreign country where the Company does business, which may result in expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or deprivation of the Company's assets or result in claims of a force majeure situation; the impact of declines in the global economy and financial markets; the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on the Company's cost to purchase helicopters, spare parts and related services and on asset values; the Company's credit risk exposure; the Company's ongoing need to replace aging helicopters; the Company's reliance on the secondary helicopter market to dispose of older helicopters; the Company's reliance on information technology; the impact of allocation of risk between the Company and its customers; the liability, legal fees and costs in connection with providing emergency response services; risks associated with the Company's debt structure; operational and financial difficulties of the Company's joint ventures and partners; conflict with the other owners of the Company's non-wholly owned subsidiaries and other equity investees; adverse results of legal proceedings; adverse weather conditions and seasonality; the Company's ability to obtain insurance coverage and the adequacy and availability of such coverage; the possibility of labor problems; the attraction and retention of qualified personnel; restrictions on the amount of foreign ownership of the Company's common stock; and various other matters and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In addition, these statements constitute Era Group's cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, the foregoing should not be considered a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "believe," "plan" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. Era Group disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in Era Group's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based. The forward-looking statements in this release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the Company's businesses, particularly those mentioned under "Risk Factors" in Era Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, in Era Group's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in Era Group's current reporting on Form 8-K (if any), which are incorporated by reference.

____________________

The Company's management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance and operating results of our business. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest (includes interest income and interest expense), Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for certain non-recurring items that occur during the reported period, as noted below. We include EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of our operating performance. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management's discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net Income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Special items include the following:

____________________

(1) Special items include the following:

• In the three months ended December 31, 2015, a pre-tax gain of $1.4 million on the extinguishment of debt related to the repurchase of a portion of our 7.750% Senior Notes and a pre-tax charge of $1.9 million on the impairment of our goodwill;
• In the three months ended September 30, 2015, a pre-tax loss of less than $0.1 million on the extinguishment of debt related to the repurchase of a portion of our 7.750% Senior Notes;
• In the three months ended June 30, 2015, a pre-tax gain of $12.9 million on the sale of our FBO in Alaska;
• In the three months ended March 31, 2015, a pre-tax gain of $0.3 million on the extinguishment of debt related to the repurchase of a portion of our 7.750% Senior Notes; and
• In the year ended December 31, 2014, a pre-tax charge of $2.5 million for severance-related expenses for the Company's former CEO and a pre-tax impairment charge of $2.5 million related to a probable loss of a note receivable.
  
  

The Company's Credit Facility requires that it maintain certain financial ratios on a rolling 12-month basis. The interest coverage ratio is a trailing 12-month quotient of (i) EBITDA (as defined in the Facility) less dividends and distributions divided by (ii) interest expense. The interest coverage ratio is not a measure of operating performance or liquidity defined by GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The funded debt to EBITDA ratio is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of total debt for borrowed money, capital lease obligations and guaranties of obligations of non-consolidated entities by (ii) EBITDA (as defined in the Facility). The funded debt to EBITDA ratio is not a measure of operating performance or liquidity defined by GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

____________________

Source: Era Group Inc.

Released February 25, 2016