Air T, Inc. - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     AIR T, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Financial Statement Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Air T, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the following disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been made.

     It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007.  The results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

2.  Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”),Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes- an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, on April 1, 2007.  The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions.  The periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal return are the fiscal 2006 and 2007 tax years.  The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits and there was no effect on our financial condition or results of operations as a result of implementing FIN 48.

It is the Company policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  As of the date of adoption of FIN 48, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized during the nine month period ended December 31, 2007.

The tax effect of temporary differences, primarily asset reserves and accrued liabilities, gave rise to the Company's deferred tax asset in the accompanying December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheets. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequence of such temporary differences at the enacted tax rate expected to be in effect when the differences reverse.

The income tax provision for the respective three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 differ from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of state income taxes and, to a lesser extent, other permanent differences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings reported in our financial statements to total comprehensive income:

4.  Net Earnings Per Share

     Basic earnings per share has been calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.  For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, shares issuable under employee stock options were considered potential common shares and were included in the weighted average common shares unless they were anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, options to acquire 241,000 shares of common stock were not included in computing diluted earnings per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive.

5.           Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.           Stock Based Compensation

The Company maintains stock based compensation plans which allow for the issuance of stock options to officers, other key employees of the Company, and to members of the Board of Directors.  The Company accounts for stock compensation using the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.

No options were granted or exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2007.  Stock based compensation expense has been recognized in the amount of $87,278 and $96,756 for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and $261,834 and $185,864 for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  As of December 31, 2007, there was $574,000 of unrecognized compensation expense to be recognized through December 31, 2009.

7.           Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value within generally accepted accounting principles, clarifies the definition of fair value within the framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company has not determined the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007, and is effective for the Company April 1, 2008.  SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Accordingly, companies would then be required to report unrealized gains and losses on these items in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company has not determined the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its consolidated financial statements.

8.           Financing Arrangements

In September 2007, the Company amended its $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line to extend its expiration date to August 31, 2009.  The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and restrictive covenants that, among other matters, require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios.  There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all of the restrictive covenants.  The amount of credit available to the Company under the agreement at any given time is determined by an availability calculation, based on the eligible borrowing base, as defined in the credit agreement, which includes the Company’s outstanding receivables, inventories and equipment, with certain exclusions.  Amounts advanced under the credit facility bear interest at the 30-day “LIBOR” rate plus 137 basis points.  The LIBOR rate at December 31, 2007 was 5.24%.  The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.  At December 31, 2007, $164,000 was outstanding under the line of credit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.           Segment Information

The Company operates in two business segments, providing overnight air cargo services to the express delivery services industry and aviation ground support and other specialized equipment products and services to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers.  Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services.  The Company’s air cargo operations are comprised of its Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) and CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) subsidiaries and the Company’s ground support operations consist of its Global Ground Support, LLC (“Global”) and Global Aviation Services, LLC (“GAS”) subsidiaries.

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on operating income.

Segment data is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

10.           Commitments and Contingencies

On February 28, 2005, a 135-foot fixed-stand deicing boom sold by Global Ground Support, LLC (“Global”) for installation at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania airport, and maintained by Global, collapsed on an Airbus A330 aircraft operated by U.S. Airways.  While the aircraft suffered some structural damage, no passengers or crew on the aircraft were injured.  The operator of the deicing boom has claimed to suffer injuries in connection with the collapse.  Immediately following this incident, the remaining eleven fixed-stand deicing booms sold by Global and installed at the Philadelphia airport were placed out of service pending investigation of their structural soundness.  These booms include 114-foot smaller deicing booms, as well as additional 135-foot extended deicing booms.  All of these booms were designed, fabricated and installed by parties other than Global and are the only booms of this model that have been sold by Global.

In June 2005, after an independent structural engineering firm’s investigation identified specific design flaws and structural defects in the remaining 11 booms and Global’s subcontractor declined to participate in efforts to return the remaining 11 booms to service, Global agreed with the City of Philadelphia to effect specific repairs to the remaining 11 booms.  Under this agreement, Global agreed to make the repairs to these booms at its expense and reserved its rights to recover these expenses from any third party ultimately determined to be responsible for defects and flaws in these booms.  The agreement provided that if Global performed its obligations under the agreement, the City of Philadelphia will not pursue any legal remedies against Global for the identified design flaws and structural defects with respect to these 11 booms.  However, the City of Philadelphia retained its rights with respect to any cause of action arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005.  Global has completed the repair, installation and recertification of these 11 deicing booms.

 

Global has been named as a defendant in three legal actions arising from the February 2005 boom collapse at the Philadelphia airport.  In the first, U.S. Airways vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., which is pending in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Airways initiated an action on April 7, 2006 against Global and its subcontractor seeking to recover approximately $2.9 million, representing the alleged cost to repair the damaged Airbus A330 aircraft and including approximately $1 million for the loss of use of the aircraft while it was being repaired. Discovery is continuing in this case and a trial has been set for March 2008.  In the second action, Emerson vs. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., pending in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, the boom operator is seeking to recover unspecified damages from Global and its subcontractor for injuries arising from the collapse of the boom.  This matter was initiated on October 21, 2005 and is scheduled for trial in May 2008.  The Company understands that the boom operator has subsequently recovered from his claimed injuries and has returned to fulltime but light duty work.  Global maintains product liability insurance in excess of the amount of the recoveries claimed above and is being defended in these matters by its product liability insurance carrier.  Global’s insurance coverage does not extend to the costs incurred by Global to examine and repair the other 11 booms at the Philadelphia airport.  The third lawsuit is a claim brought in December 2006, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia captioned City of Philadelphia v. Elliott Equipment Company, et al., which was filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.  In that action, the City seeks to recover for the cost of replacing the boom that was destroyed in the February 2005 accident.  It is estimated that the cost for

replacing that boom will be in the $600,000 range.  That matter is in its early stage and a trial is anticipated for September 2008, based on the current scheduling order.  Global’s product liability insurance carrier has denied coverage with respect to the third lawsuit claiming that it seeks replacement of allegedly defective products.  Global has included in its claims against its subcontractor any losses it may suffer in connection with the claims alleged in this lawsuit.  In light of the claims asserted in this action directly against Global's subcontractor and the related claims made by Global against its subcontractor, management does not believe that the ultimate liability, if any, of Global for losses alleged in this lawsuit would be material to the Company's financial position or results of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On August 4, 2005, Global commenced litigation in the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania against Glazer Enterprises, Inc. t/a Elliott Equipment Company, Global’s subcontractor that designed, fabricated and warrantied the booms at the Philadelphia airport, seeking to recover approximately $905,000 in costs incurred by Global in fiscal 2006 in connection with repairing the 11 booms and any damages arising from the collapse of the boom in February 2005.  That case has been removed to federal court and is pending before United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and has been assigned to the same judge before whom the U.S. Airways litigation is pending against Global.  Discovery is continuing in this lawsuit.  The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to recover its repair expenses and other losses, or otherwise be successful, in this action.

The Company is currently involved in certain personal injury and environmental matters, which involve pending or threatened lawsuits. Management believes the results of these pending or threatened lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The Company operates in two business segments, providing overnight air cargo services to the express delivery services industry and aviation ground support and other specialized equipment products and services to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers.  Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services.  The Company’s air cargo operations are comprised of its Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) and CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) subsidiaries and the Company’s ground support operations consist of its Global Ground Support, LLC (“Global”) and Global Aviation Services, LLC (“GAS”) subsidiaries. GAS is a new wholly owned subsidiary established in September 2007, to operate the ground support equipment maintenance services business of the company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Following is a table detailing revenues by segment and by major customer category:

MAC and CSA provide short-haul express air freight services primarily to one customer, FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”).  Under the terms of the dry-lease service agreements, which currently cover all of the revenue aircraft operated, the Company receives an administrative fee for each aircraft and passes through to its customer certain cost components of its operations without markup.  The cost of fuel, flight crews, landing fees, outside maintenance, parts and certain other direct operating costs are included in operating expenses and billed to FedEx as cargo and maintenance revenue, at cost.  These agreements are renewable on two to five year terms and may be terminated by FedEx at any time upon 30 days’ notice.  The Company believes that the short term and other provisions of its agreements with FedEx are standard within the air freight contract delivery service industry.  FedEx has been a customer of the Company since 1980.  Loss of its contracts with FedEx would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Separate agreements cover the five types of aircraft operated by MAC and CSA for FedEx—Cessna Caravan, ATR-42, ATR-72, Fokker F-27, and Short Brothers SD3-30.  The Cessna Caravan, ATR-42, ATR-72 and Fokker F-27 aircraft (a total of 89 aircraft at December 31, 2007) are owned by and dry-leased from FedEx, and the two Short Brothers SD3-30 aircraft are owned by the Company and had been operated periodically under wet-lease arrangements with FedEx.  Pursuant to such agreements, FedEx determines the type of aircraft and schedule of routes to be flown by MAC and CSA, with all other operational decisions made by the Company.  As of December 31, 2007, the two Short Brothers aircraft have been taken out of active service and the Company does not presently have any plans to return the aircraft into service.

MAC and CSA’s revenues contributed approximately $28,131,000 and $26,067,000 to the Company’s revenues for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, a current year increase of approximately $2,064,000 (8%). The increase in revenues was primarily related to flight and maintenance department costs passed through to its customer at cost and increased maintenance labor revenue as a result of an 8.5% increase in the maintenance billable labor rate, effective in June 2007.

The Ground Equipment segment is comprised of the Company’s Global and GAS subsidiaries.  Global manufactures, services and supports aircraft deicers and ground support equipment and other specialized military and industrial equipment on a worldwide basis. Global contributed approximately $25,212,000 and $22,132,000 to the Company’s revenues for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The $3,080,000 (14%) increase in revenues was attributed to an increase in the number of domestic commercial orders completed during the current period.  As we noted in our second quarter report, we believe this increase is related to the harsh weather conditions that were experienced by domestic airlines and airports last winter, increasing the requirements for the coming winter season.  The Company’s contract with the Air Force allows some flexibility with regard to timing of unit deliveries allowing the Company to meet increased commercial demand and still meet Air Force requirements in subsequent periods.  At December 31, 2007, Global’s order backlog was $16.0 million compared to $16.8 million at March 31, 2007 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In September 2007, the Company formed GAS to operate the ground support equipment maintenance services business of the company.  GAS is in the process of finalizing a three (3) year maintenance services contract with a large domestic airline.  Under that arrangement, GAS is providing ground support equipment services and facility maintenance services at a number of locations and has initially employed over 50 mechanics.  Operations and revenues were minimal in the second quarter as the operation was in start up mode, but operations have been ramping up during the third quarter and are nearing full staffing levels as of the end of the third quarter. Revenues for GAS for the third quarter totaled $1,014,000.

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires the use of estimates and assumptions to determine certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  Management bases these estimates and assumptions upon the best information available at the time of the estimates or assumptions.  The Company’s estimates and assumptions could change materially as conditions within and beyond its control change.  Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from estimates.  The most significant estimates made by management include allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, reserves for excess and obsolete inventories, warranty reserves, deferred tax asset valuation and retirement benefit obligations.

Following is a discussion of critical accounting policies and related management estimates and assumptions.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  An allowance for doubtful accounts receivable in the amount of $231,000 and $413,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, was established based on management’s estimates of the collectability of accounts receivable.  The decrease in the allowance is primarily a result of the resolution of the Sautter Crane matter in September 2007.  The required allowance is determined using information such as customer credit history, industry information, credit reports, customer financial condition and the collectability of outstanding accounts receivables associated with a discontinued business segment.  The estimates can be affected by changes in the financial strength of the aviation industry, customer credit issues or general economic conditions.

Inventories.  The Company’s parts inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories in the amount of $973,000 and $664,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, are based on assessment of the marketability of slow-moving and obsolete inventories.  Estimates are subject to volatility and can be affected by reduced equipment utilization, existing supplies of used inventories available for sale, the retirement of aircraft or ground equipment and changes in the financial strength of the aviation industry.

Warranty Reserves.  The Company warranties its ground equipment products for up to a two-year period from date of sale.  Product warranty reserves are recorded at the time of sale based on historical average warranty cost and are adjusted quarterly as actual warranty cost becomes known.  Warranty reserves were $126,000 and $196,000 at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007 respectively.

Deferred Taxes.  Net deferred tax assets are shown net of valuation allowance in the amount of $62,000, as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007 to reflect the likelihood of the recoverability of certain of these assets.  Company judgment of the recoverability of certain of these assets is based primarily on estimates of current and expected future earnings and tax planning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement Benefits Obligation.  The Company currently determines the value of retirement benefits assets and liabilities on an actuarial basis using a 5.75% discount rate.  Values are affected by current independent indices, which estimate the expected return on insurance policies and the discount rates used.  Changes in the discount rate used will affect the amount of pension liability as well as pension gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income.

Revenue Recognition.  Cargo revenue is recognized upon completion of contract terms and maintenance revenue is recognized when the service has been performed.  Revenue from product sales is recognized when contract terms are completed and title has passed to customers.

Global’s business has historically been seasonal.  The Company has continued its efforts to reduce Global’s seasonal fluctuation in revenues and earnings by increasing military and international sales and broadening its product line to increase revenues and earnings throughout the year.  In June 1999, Global was awarded a four-year contract to supply deicing equipment to the United States Air Force, and Global has been awarded two three-year extensions on the contract.  This diversification has lessened the seasonal impacts and allowed the Company to be more efficient in its planning and production.  The air cargo segment of business has no susceptibility to seasonality.

 

 

Third Quarter 2008 Compared to Third Quarter 2007

Consolidated revenue from operations increased $3,754,000 (22%) to $21,149,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to the equivalent prior year quarter.  A portion of the increase in revenues for the quarter resulted from a $1,270,000 (14%) increase in cargo revenues related to fuel, pilot salaries, travel and other flight costs passed through to its customer at cost, as well as increased maintenance labor revenue as a result of an 8.5% increase in the billable labor rate, effective in June 2007, and a contract to perform heavy maintenance on a single U.S. Army aircraft that was completed in December 2007.  In addition, there was a $2,484,000 (29%) increase in ground equipment revenue, resulting from an increase in domestic commercial deicing units and catering trucks delivered in the fiscal 2008 quarter, as well as service revenue from the new ground and facilities maintenance airline contract at GAS.

Operating expenses on a consolidated basis increased $2,847,000 (17%) to $19,716,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to the equivalent prior year quarter. The net increase in air cargo operating expenses for the quarter consisted of a $1,012,000 (13%) increase in the cost of flight operations primarily as a result of increases in fuel, pilot salaries, travel and other flight costs to meet the customer’s flight schedule as well as increased direct and contract maintenance labor costs and increased parts inventory reserves.  In addition, there was a $1,547,000 (23%)increase in ground equipment operating expenses related to the increase in the number of commercial units produced and delivered during the fiscal 2008 quarter as well as expenses for the new ground and facilities maintenance airline contract at GAS.

General and administrative expenses increased by a net amount of $325,000 (14%) to $2,710,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to the prior year equivalent quarter.  The significant cost increases were an $89,000 increase in travel expenses for sales and trade shows and the new subsidiary start-up costs; a $51,000 increase in salary expense due to higher than normal contract labor in the air cargo segment as well as increased sales and administrative salaries in the ground equipment segment; $111,000 including various salaries, rent, supplies and other costs incurred by GAS in its first full quarter of operation; and a $126,000 increase in profit sharing expense as a result of increased earnings.  These increases were offset by a $69,000 reduction in air cargo payroll costs related to cost reduction programs and personnel changes initiated in December 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $1,433,000, a $908,000 (173%) improvement over the same quarter of the prior year.  A principal component of this increase resulted from the increased sales revenue and margin in the ground equipment segment during the quarter.  The overnight air cargo segment saw a $443,000 increase in operating income as a result of an 8.5% increase in the maintenance billable labor rate, effective in June 2007, non recurring heavy maintenance work performed for the U.S. Army in the third quarter, as well as reductions in management and administrative salaries as a result of cost reduction programs initiated within the air cargo segment in December 2006.

Non-operating income (expense), net, was an income amount of $11,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to an expense amount of $30,000 in the equivalent prior year quarter.  Interest expense relating to inventory levels and flooring, decreased by $55,000, principally accounting for this change.

Income tax expense of $524,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, represented an effective tax rate of 36.3%, which included the benefit of municipal bond income as well as the impact of U.S. production deduction authorized under tax law changes enacted in fiscal 2005.  Income tax expense of $191,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2006 represented an effective tax rate of 38.6%, with tax differences similar to the fiscal 2008 quarter.

First Nine Months of 2008 Compared to First Nine Months of 2007

Consolidated revenue from operations increased $6,157,000 (13%) to $54,357,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 compared to the equivalent 2006 period. The increase in revenues resulted from a $2,064,000 (8%) increase in cargo revenues, discussed above, and a $4,093,000 (18%)increase in ground equipment revenues, due to the increase in domestic commercial orders completed in the second and third quarters of the current year and the contribution of $1,014,000 in revenues from GAS.

Operating expenses on a consolidated basis increased $5,091,000 (11%) to $51,108,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 compared to the equivalent prior period. The net increase in air cargo operating expenses of $1,585,000 (7%) was primarily a result of increases in fuel, pilot salaries, travel and other flight costs to meet the customer’s flight schedule as well as increased direct and contract maintenance labor costs.  In addition, there was a $3,107,000 (19%) increase in ground equipment operating expenses related to the increase in the number of commercial units produced and delivered during the second and third quarters, as well as expenses for the new ground and facilities maintenance airline contract in the third quarter.

General and administrative expenses increased $512,000 (8%) to $7,293,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 compared to the prior year period.  The cost increase included an $76,000 increase in stock compensation expense relating to option awards made to employees during the second quarter of fiscal 2007.  Expenses related to these awards resulted in charges to general and administrative expense of $262,000 and $186,000 during the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  In addition, the increase includes a $61,000 increase in professional fees largely a result of the Company engaging outside consultants to meet its Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requirements and partly in connection with the start up of GAS and securing its contract; a $182,000 increase in travel expenses for sales and trade shows and the new subsidiary start up; a $44,000 increase in advertising costs; a $192,000 increase in salary expense due to higher than normal contract labor in the air cargo segment as well as increased sales and administrative salaries in the ground equipment segment; $151,000 including various salaries, rent, supplies and other costs incurred by GAS in its first full quarter of operation; and a $128,000 increase in profit sharing expense as a result of increased earnings.  These increases were offset by a $170,000 reduction in general and administrative expenses resulting from the Sautter Crane settlement in September 2007, as well as a $69,000 reduction in air cargo administrative payroll costs related to cost reduction programs and personnel changes effected in December 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 was $3,249,000, a $1,066,000 (49%) improvement over the same period of the prior year.  The principal component of this increase resulted from the increased sales revenue and margin in the ground equipment segment during the first nine months of fiscal 2008.  The overnight air cargo segment saw a $479,000 increase in operating income as a result of the increase in the maintenance billable labor rate, the heavy maintenance work performed for the U.S. Army in the third quarter, as well as reductions in management and administrative salaries as a result of cost reduction programs initiated within the air cargo segment in December 2006.  The Sautter Crane settlement, recognized in the second quarter in the amount of $235,000, was also a component of the increase in operating income.

Non-operating income, net, was $4,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 compared to $46,000 in the equivalent 2006 period.  Interest expense relating to inventory levels and flooring, increased by $34,000, accounting for the majority of the change.

Income tax expense of $1,168,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007, represented an effective tax rate of 35.9%, which included the benefit of municipal bond income as well as the impact of U.S. production deduction authorized under tax law changes enacted in fiscal 2005.  Income tax expense of $827,000 in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2006 represented an effective tax rate of 37.1%, with tax differences similar to the current period.

As of December 31, 2007 the Company's working capital amounted to $14,065,000, an increase of $1,341,000 compared to March 31, 2007. The net increase primarily resulted from an increase in inventories, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by $713,000 used to fund the stock repurchase program that was completed in August 2007.  Inventories are higher at the end of the third quarter as compared to year-end based on production and delivery requirements.

In September 2007, the Company amended its $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line to extend its expiration date to August 31, 2009.  The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and restrictive covenants that, among other matters, require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios.  There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement.  As of December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with all of the restrictive covenants.  The amount of credit available to the Company under the agreement at any given time is determined by an availability calculation, based on the eligible borrowing base, as defined in the credit agreement, which includes the Company’s outstanding receivables, inventories and equipment, with certain exclusions.  The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.  At December 31, 2007, $164,000 was outstanding under the line of credit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on its line of credit, which bears interest based on the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 137 basis points.  The LIBOR rate at December 31, 2007 was 5.24%.  If the LIBOR interest rate had been increased by one percentage point, based on the balance of the line of credit at December 31, 2007, interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 would have increased by approximately $1,000.

The Company assumes various financial obligations and commitments in the normal course of its operations and financing activities.  Financial obligations are considered to represent known future cash payments that the Company is required to make under existing contractual arrangements such as debt and lease agreements.

The respective nine-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 resulted in the following changes in cash flow: operating activities provided $194,000 and used $2,573,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively, investing activities used $375,000 and $112,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively, and financing activities used $1,266,000 and provided $2,205,000 in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Net cash decreased $1,447,000 and $480,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Cash provided by operating activities was $2,767,000 more for the nine-months ended December 31, 2007 compared to the similar 2006 period, principally due to increased earnings along with decreased inventories offset by a decrease in accounts payable.

            Cash used in investing activities for the nine-months ended December 31, 2007 was $263,000 more than the comparable period in 2006 due to increased current period capital expenditures, principally in connection with the start up of Global Aviation Services, LLC.

Cash used by financing activities was $3,470,000 more in the 2007 nine-month period than in the corresponding 2006 period principally a result of a significant reduction in borrowings on the line of credit as well as a $713,000 use of cash for the stock repurchase program.  Partially offsetting this use of cash was a $57,000 reduction in the cash dividend in the current year to date period.

There are currently no commitments for significant capital expenditures. The Company’s Board of Directors on August 7, 1998 adopted the policy to pay an annual cash dividend, based on profitability and other factors, in the first quarter of each fiscal year, in an amount to be determined by the Board.  The Company paid a $0.25 per share cash dividend in June 2007.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value within generally accepted accounting principles, clarifies the definition of fair value within the framework, and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company has not determined the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007, and is effective for the Company April 1, 2008.  SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Accordingly, companies would then be required to report unrealized gains and losses on these items in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing companies with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company has not determined the impact of adopting SFAS 159 on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company is subject to significant contingencies associated with the February 28, 2005 de-icing boom collapse in Philadelphia and resulting litigation.  These matters are described in Note 10 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

The Company believes that the recent increases in inflation have not had a material effect on its manufacturing operations, because increased costs to date have been passed on to its customers. Under the terms of its air cargo business contracts the major cost components of its operations, consisting principally of fuel, crew and other direct operating costs, and certain maintenance costs are reimbursed, without markup by its customer.  Significant increases in inflation rates could, however, have a material impact on future revenue and operating income.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are included in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this report. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms, and that management will be timely alerted to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Commission.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during or subsequent to the third quarter of fiscal 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of their business.  For a description of material pending legal proceedings, see Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, which is incorporated by reference into this item.

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

 

No.           Description

__________________

 

 

SIGNATURES

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.

AIR T, INC.

By:           /s/ Walter Clark                                                                                     

Walter Clark, Chief Executive Officer

                Date:  January 31, 2008

By:           /s/ John Parry                                                                

John Parry, Chief Financial Officer

                Date:  January 31, 2008

Exhibit Number                                           Document

31.1              Certification of Walter Clark

31.2              Certification of John Parry

32.1              Section 1350 certification