Era Group Inc. Reports First Quarter 2016 Results

HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 05/03/16 -- Era Group Inc. (NYSE: ERA) (the "Company") today reported a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for its first quarter ended March 31, 2016 ("current quarter") on operating revenues of $62.6 million compared to break-even net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 ("prior year quarter") on operating revenues of $67.4 million.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") was $12.2 million in the current quarter compared to $14.6 million in the prior year quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $9.3 million in the current quarter compared to $11.0 million in the prior year quarter. Gains on asset dispositions were $2.9 million in the current quarter compared to $3.4 million in the prior year quarter. Special items in the prior year quarter consisted of a $0.3 million gain on debt extinguishment.

"The first quarter, which is consistently our weakest quarter due to seasonal factors, was particularly challenging this year as we experienced a further decline in utilization, including the end of several contracts in December as previously disclosed with our fourth quarter results," said Chris Bradshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Era Group Inc. "Despite the challenging industry conditions, we generated strong cash flows during the first quarter and improved our liquidity position by $18 million for total liquidity of $240 million at quarter end."

First Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $4.8 million lower than the prior year quarter primarily due to fewer helicopters on contract and lower average rates as well as the sale of our fixed base operations ("FBO") in Alaska in May 2015. These reductions were partially offset by the consolidation of our Brazilian joint venture, Aeróleo Taxi Aero S/A ("Aeróleo").

Operating expenses were $0.7 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the consolidation of Aeróleo and increased repairs and maintenance expenses, partially offset by decreased fuel, insurance and other operating expenses in the U.S.

Administrative and general expenses were $0.5 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to reduced headcount and related cost control measures as well as the elimination of shared services fees, partially offset by the consolidation of Aeróleo and higher professional service fees.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $1.2 million higher in the current quarter due to the addition of new helicopters, a base expansion project and investments in additional information technology infrastructure.

Gains on asset dispositions were $0.5 million lower in the current quarter. We sold a hangar, two helicopters and related equipment in the current quarter for proceeds of $4.0 million resulting in gains of $2.9 million. In the prior year quarter, we sold two helicopters and related equipment for proceeds of $5.4 million resulting in gains of $2.2 million, and a leasing customer exercised a purchase option for three helicopters from which we recognized gains of $1.2 million.

Interest expense was $1.2 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to reduced capitalized interest on helicopter deposits.

Foreign currency gains were $0.3 million in the current quarter primarily due to the strengthening of the Brazilian real and the revaluation of our real-denominated balances. Foreign currency losses were $3.0 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar resulting in losses on our euro-denominated balances and a realized loss on a settled foreign currency contract.

Sequential Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $11.4 million lower than in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 ("preceding quarter") primarily due to lower utilization, including the end of several contracts in December 2015, as previously disclosed.

Operating expenses were $0.8 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to reduced headcount and fewer flight hours, partially offset by increased repairs and maintenance expenses due to vendor credits recognized in the preceding quarter and increased insurance expenses due to credits recognized in the preceding quarter.

Administrative and general expenses were $1.8 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to the write-off of an uncollectable receivable in the preceding quarter and lower professional services fees and further cost cutting measures during the current quarter.

EBITDA was $4.6 million lower compared to the preceding quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude gains on asset dispositions and special items was $7.0 million lower. Gains on asset dispositions were $1.9 million higher compared to the preceding quarter, and the preceding quarter included $0.5 million of special items consisting of a pre-tax charge of $1.9 million on the impairment of goodwill partially offset by a pre-tax gain of $1.4 million on the extinguishment of debt.

Depreciation expense was $0.6 million higher due to helicopters placed in service at the end of the preceding quarter. Interest expense was $0.8 million higher compared to the preceding quarter due to reduced capitalized interest. Equity earnings improved by $1.2 million compared to the preceding quarter primarily due to earnings from our Dart Holding Company ("Dart") joint venture.

Fleet Update

We continue to experience excess capacity in our medium and heavy helicopters, and we expect this excess capacity to persist for the next several quarters. Excess helicopters include our helicopters other than those under customer contracts, undergoing maintenance or dedicated for charter activity. We are participating in several competitive bids to place excess medium and heavy helicopters on contract. In addition, we may sell certain helicopters on an opportunistic basis consistent with our stated strategy.

Capital Commitments

We have capital commitments of $156.1 million as of March 31, 2016, of which $40.1 million is payable during 2016 with the balance payable through 2018. We may terminate $129.4 million of our total commitments (inclusive of deposits paid on options not yet exercised) without further liability other than aggregate liquidated damages of $3.2 million. The noncancellable portion of our commitments payable during 2016 is $13.4 million.

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 beginning in 2016 through 2018. Delivery dates for the AW169 helicopters have yet to be determined. In addition, we 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 scheduled for delivery beginning in 2017 through 2018.

Capital Allocation and Liquidity

As of March 31, 2016, we had $30.8 million of cash and $208.9 million of remaining availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Facility") for total liquidity of $239.7 million. As of March 31, 2016, our funded debt-to-EBITDA and interest coverage ratios, as defined in the Facility, were 2.8x and 7.2x, respectively.

Recent Developments

On Friday, April 29, 2016, an accident occurred outside of Bergen, Norway with an Airbus Helicopters H225 heavy helicopter operated by another helicopter company. There were two crew members and 11 passengers on board, and 13 fatalities were reported. The cause of the accident is not yet known and is under investigation by the relevant authorities. In response to this accident, each of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority issued safety directives on April 29, 2016, requiring operators to suspend public transport flights and commercial air transport operations of all EC225LP (also known as a H225) model helicopters registered in, or flying in or offshore of, Norway and the United Kingdom, respectively. The safety directives permit continued search and rescue flights of the affected helicopters for the purpose of saving life. In addition, operators and customers in other countries have temporarily suspended H225 operations pending information regarding the cause of the accident.

The Company owns nine H225 helicopters, including five that are currently located in the U.S., three that are currently located in Brazil and one that is currently on a dry-lease contract with a customer in Norway for search and rescue operations. During this suspension of H225 operations, the Company expects to utilize other heavy and medium helicopters to service its operations and expects to continue to earn revenues from the helicopter on dry-lease. Although it is too early to know the extent of any suspension of H225 helicopter operations, the Company does not expect the near-term impact of the suspension to be material to its financial condition or results of operations.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, to review the results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. The conference call can be accessed as follows:

All callers will need to reference the access code 1742404.

Within the U.S.: Operator Assisted Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (888) 401-4668

Outside the U.S.: Operator Assisted International Dial-In Number: (719) 457-2627

Replay

A telephone replay will be available through May 19, 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 May 19, 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, the Dominican Republic, India, Norway, Spain, Suriname 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/A 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.

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Our 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 items noted in the reconciliation below that occur during the reported period. 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 and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands).

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(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; and
• 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.
  

The Facility requires that the Company 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.

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Source: Era Group Inc.

Released May 3, 2016