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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

(Mark one)

 

Commission File Number 0-11720

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

                                                Delaware                                        & #160;                                                                        52-1206400

                (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)                                               (IRS Employer Identification No.)

3524 Airport Road, Maiden, North Carolina 28650

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                            (828) 464 –8741                  

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes       x                           No

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

       Yes                                          No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  (See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large Accelerated Filer     Accelerated Filer     Non-Accelerated Filer     Smaller Reporting Company  x

                                                      (Do not check if smaller reporting company)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes                                  No  x

 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

       Common Stock                                                                           Outstanding Shares at January 29, 2010

      Common Shares, par value of $.25 per share                                                                      2,424,486

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

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 (“U.S. GAAP”) 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, 2009.  The results of operations for the periods ended December 31 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

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, 2009 and March 31, 2009 condensed 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 provisions for the respective three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 differ from the federal statutory rate of 34% as a result of state income taxes offset by permanent tax differences, including the federal production deduction, as well as a true up of federal income taxes on prior year tax filings and foreign tax credits.

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

 

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:

For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2009, options to acquire 16,000 and 31,000 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in computing diluted earnings per common share because their effects were anti-dilutive.  For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008, options to acquire 234,000 shares of common stock were not included.

Inventories consisted of the following:

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 fair value recognition provisions.

No options were granted or exercised during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009.  Stock based compensation expense has been recognized in the amount of $3,440 and $84,830 for each of the three-month periods and $134,125 and $254,490 for each of the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  As of December 31, 2009, there was no unrecognized compensation expense.

The Company measures and reports financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (all Level 1 categories) were as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in operating bank accounts, liquid money market accounts and 90-day or less certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”).  Short-term investments consist of investments in CDARS with original maturities of 26 weeks or more.    The original cost of both of these categories of assets approximates their fair value.

The Company has a $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line with an expiration date of August 31, 2011.  The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and a fixed charge coverage requirement, with which the Company was in compliance at December 31, 2009.  There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement.  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. At December 31, 2009, $7,000,000 was available under the terms of the credit facility and no amounts were outstanding. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.  Amounts advanced under the credit facility bear interest at the 30-day “LIBOR” rate plus 150 basis points.  The LIBOR rate at December 31, 2009 was .23%.

 

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 Company operates in three business segments.  The overnight air cargo segment, comprised of its Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) and CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) subsidiaries, operates in the air express delivery services industry.  The ground equipment sales segment, comprised of its Global Ground Support, LLC (“GGS”) subsidiary, manufactures and provides mobile deicers and other specialized equipment products to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the military and industrial customers.  The ground support services segment, comprised of its Global Aviation Services, LLC (“GAS”) subsidiary, provides ground support equipment maintenance and facilities maintenance services to domestic airlines and aviation service providers.  Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services.  The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on operating income.

 

 

Segment data is summarized as follows:

 

The Company is currently involved in certain personal injury and former employee matters, which involve pending or threatened lawsuits.  Those claims are subject to defense under the Company's liability insurance program and management believes that the results of these threatened or pending lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

The Company performs an evaluation of events that occur after a balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued for potential recognition or disclosure of such events in its financial statements.  The Company evaluated subsequent events through February 1, 2010, the date that the financial statements were issued.

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

The Company operates in three business segments.  The overnight air cargo segment, comprised of its Mountain Air Cargo, Inc. (“MAC”) and CSA Air, Inc. (“CSA”) subsidiaries, operates in the air express delivery services industry.  The ground equipment sales segment, comprised of its Global Ground Support, LLC (“GGS”) subsidiary, manufactures and provides mobile deicers and other specialized equipment products to passenger and cargo airlines, airports, the U.S. Military and industrial customers.  The ground support services segment, comprised of its Global Aviation Services, LLC (“GAS”) subsidiary, provides ground support equipment maintenance and facilities maintenance services to domestic airlines and aviation service providers.  Each business segment has separate management teams and infrastructures that offer different products and services.  The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on operating income.

 

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

 

 

MAC and CSA are short-haul express airfreight carriers and provide air cargo services to one primary customer, FedEx Corporation (“FedEx”).  MAC will also on occasion provide maintenance services to other airline customers and the U.S.  Military.  Under the terms of dry-lease service agreements, which currently cover all of the 81 revenue aircraft, the Company receives a monthly administrative fee based on the number of aircraft operated 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 the customer as cargo and maintenance revenue, at cost.  As a result, the fluctuating cost of fuel has not had any direct impact on our air cargo operating results.  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.  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 airfreight 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.

 

MAC and CSA combined contributed approximately $28,594,000 and $31,863,000 to the Company’s revenues for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, a current year decrease of $3,269,000 (10%).

GGS manufactures and supports aircraft deicers and other specialized industrial equipment on a worldwide basis.  GGS manufactures a variety of models of mobile deicing equipment with capacities ranging from 700 to 2,800 gallons.  Each model can be customized as requested by the customer, including single operator configuration, fire suppressant equipment, open basket or enclosed cab, a patented forced-air deicing nozzle and on-board glycol blending system to substantially reduce glycol usage, and style of the exterior finish.  GGS also provides fixed-pedestal-mounted deicers and various models of scissor-lift equipment, for catering, cabin service and maintenance service of aircraft, and has developed a line of decontamination equipment and other special purpose mobile equipment.  GGS competes primarily on the basis of the quality, performance and reliability of its products, prompt delivery, customer service and price.  In June 1999, GGS was awarded a four-year contract to supply deicing equipment to the United States Air Force.  GGS was awarded two three-year extensions of that contract through June 2009.  On July 15, 2009, the Company announced that GGS had been awarded a new contract to supply deicing trucks to the United States Air Force.  The contract award was for one year with four additional one-year extension options that may be exercised by the United States Air Force.

GGS contributed approximately $25,964,000 and $32,700,000 to the Company’s revenues for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, a current year decrease of $6,736,000 (21%).  At December 31, 2009, GGS’s order backlog was $5.7 million compared to $12.2 million at December 31, 2008 and $13.6 million at September 30, 2009.

GAS was formed in September 2007 to operate the aircraft ground support equipment services and airport facility maintenance services business of the Company.  GAS is providing aircraft ground support equipment services and airport facility maintenance services to a wide variety of customers at a number of locations throughout the country.

GAS contributed approximately $6,853,000 and $5,404,000 to the Company’s revenues for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The $1,449,000 (27%) increase in revenues was due to the continued growth and expansion of GAS as it continued to add new customers and service locations over the past year.  GAS has accounted for 11% of consolidated revenues for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009, up from 8% a year ago.

 

Our Company has produced solid third quarter results in the current year, significantly exceeding the consolidated operating income of the prior year comparable quarter.  Overall we saw a 5% reduction in revenues, but as a result of the product mix sold by GGS this quarter, we were able to increase product gross margins by approximately 3% for the quarter and as a result, show an increase in operating income.  The current year third quarter ended December 31, 2009 reflects increased operating income in both our GGS and GAS subsidiaries.  Military deicer deliveries, all of which were under our contract that expired in June 2009, were up this quarter as we were able to complete deliveries that were slowed in the second quarter due to the unavailability of certain inventory components.  We also saw a decline in the revenues and operating income from the air cargo segment this quarter, as compared to the comparable prior year quarter, as the number of revenue aircraft decreased from 87 a year ago to 81 currently.  There has been no further reduction in the number of revenue aircraft since September 30, 2009.  We remain dedicated to conserving cash, controlling costs, and strengthening our customer and vendor relationships.

On a year to date basis, GGS operating income is down as the domestic commercial deicer market has slowed reflecting the current difficult economic and industry conditions.  This trend continued this quarter and as a result, GGS backlog is low in comparison to a year ago and at September 30, 2009.  We have not received any orders to date from the U. S. Air Force under our new contract, also contributing to our low backlog figure.  We are not able at this time to project what the level of U. S. Air Force orders will be in the coming periods.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, revenues from our GAS subsidiary totaled $2,561,000, up 25% from the same quarter a year ago.  This relatively new line of business continues to expand its customer base though revenues have stabilized over the past twelve months.  A significant portion of GAS work is under a three-year contract with Delta Airlines, through December 2010.  GAS’s main challenges continue to be its ability to add additional customers, retain and develop existing customers to optimally utilize our staffing capacity at existing locations, to selectively add new stations, and to manage accounts receivable in a difficult operating environment and industry.  GAS is currently in the process of responding to a request for proposal from Delta Airlines covering work at our existing locations as well as work at additional locations that Delta serves.  We will be in a competitive bid process to procure work that we are doing under our existing contract with Delta Airlines (which we entered into with Northwest Airlines prior to its merger with Delta) as well as to procure additional work at new locations.  Our work for Delta Airlines comprises a substantial portion of GAS’s business and the outcome of this proposal and bidding process will have a significant impact on GAS’s future operations.

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 our control change.  Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from estimates.  The Company believes that the following are its most significant accounting policies:

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  An allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is established based on management’s estimates of the collectability of accounts receivable.  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.  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 inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Provisions for excess and obsolete inventories are based on assessment of the marketability of slow-moving and obsolete inventories.  Historical parts usage, current period sales, estimated future demand and anticipated transactions between willing buyers and sellers provide the basis for estimates.  Estimates are subject to volatility and can be affected by reduced equipment utilization, existing supplies of used inventory 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 three-year period from date of sale.  Product warranty reserves are recorded at time of sale based on the historical average warranty cost and are adjusted quarterly as actual warranty cost becomes known.

Income Taxes.  Income taxes have been provided using the liability method.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net affects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax reporting purposes using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the basis differences reverse.

Revenue Recognition.  Air cargo revenue is recognized upon completion of contract terms.  Maintenance and ground support services revenue is recognized when the service has been performed.  Revenue from product sales is recognized when contract terms are completed and ownership has passed to the customer.

GGS’s business has historically been seasonal.  The Company has continued its efforts to reduce GGS’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, GGS was awarded a four-year contract to supply deicing equipment to the United States Air Force, and subsequently was awarded two three-year extensions on the contract, which expired in June 2009.  In July 2009, GGS was awarded a new one-year contract with the United States Air Force with four additional one-year extension options.  Although sales remain somewhat seasonal, particularly with regard to commercial deicers which typically are delivered prior to the winter season, this diversification has lessened the seasonal impacts in recent years and allowed the Company to be more efficient in its planning and production.  At this time, GGS has not received any orders under its new contract with the United States Air Force, and until such time as that happens, may see a return to a seasonal pattern of revenues and earnings relating to its commercial deicer business.  The overnight air cargo and ground support services segments are not susceptible to seasonal trends.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2009

Consolidated revenue decreased $1,216,000 (5%) to $22,321,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period. The decrease in revenues resulted from a number of factors.  Revenues in the air cargo segment were down $855,000 (8%) to $9,991,000 primarily as a result of decreased flight and maintenance department costs passed through to its customer at cost as the number of aircraft operated at the end of the quarter was 81 compared to 87 at December 31, 2008.  The lower level of aircraft operated in the current period also resulted in a $91,000 decrease in administrative fee revenue from FedEx compared to the prior year period.  Revenues in the ground equipment sales segment decreased $880,000 (8%) to $9,769,000 principally as a result of a decrease in domestic commercial deicer deliveries during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the prior year period.  GAS revenues increased $518,000 (25%) to $2,561,000 as it continues to expand existing locations as well as add new customers and new service locations.

Operating expenses decreased $1,699,000 (8%) to $20,552,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period.  The decrease was due to a number of factors.  Operating expenses in the air cargo segment were down $744,000 (8%) primarily as a result of decreased flight and maintenance departments costs passed through to its customer at cost, resulting from the lower number of aircraft operated.  Ground equipment sales segment operating costs decreased $960,000 (11%) driven primarily by the current quarter’s decrease in domestic commercial deicing units produced.  The ground support services segment reported a $148,000 (9%) increase in operating expenses directly related to the increased revenue provided by GAS this quarter.  General and administrative expenses decreased $141,000 (5%) to $2,612,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period. This decrease was comprised of two principal items; a $117,000 decrease in professional fees this period related to decreases in spending for consulting and legal fees at GGS, and an $81,000 decrease in compensation expense relating to stock options as we expensed the final portion of our outstanding options during the three-month period ended December 31, 2009.

 

Operating income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $1,769,000, a $482,000 (37%) increase from the same quarter of the prior year.  The overnight air cargo segment saw a 21% decrease in its operating income due to fewer aircraft and the corresponding decrease in administrative fee revenue.  The ground equipment sales segment experienced a 17% increase in its operating income even with reduced revenues as a result of a product mix which produced improved gross margins for the quarter.  The ground support services segment saw a 248% increase in its operating income as the new segment has transitioned from startup mode and is benefitting from the maturing of its individual locations and business overall.

Non-operating income, net, decreased by $303,000 to $21,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2009.  The $550,000 lawsuit settlement in December 2008 was a principal component of this decrease.  This was partially offset by the $195,000 retirement plan settlement expense also recorded in December 2008.  In addition, the Company had a $45,000 decrease in interest expense from the prior period.

Pretax earnings increased $179,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to 2008, as a result of the increased operating profits at our ground equipment sales and ground support services segments which more than offset the $303,000 decrease in non-operating income.

During the three-month period ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $542,000 in income tax expense, which resulted in an estimated annual tax rate of 30.3%, compared to 39.5% for the comparable quarter in 2008.  The estimated annual effective tax rate for the current period is unusually low compared to the U. S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily due to a true up of federal income taxes on prior year tax filings and foreign tax credits.  The rates for both periods are also subject to the effect of state income taxes offset by permanent tax differences, including the federal production deduction.

First Nine Months of Fiscal 2010 Compared to First Nine Months of Fiscal 2009

Consolidated revenue decreased $8,555,000 (12%) to $61,411,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period. The decrease in revenues resulted from a number of factors.  Revenues in the air cargo segment were down $3,269,000 (10%) to $28,594,000 primarily as a result of decreased flight and maintenance department costs passed through to its customer at cost as the number of aircraft operated at the end of the period was 81compared to 87 at December 31, 2008.  The lower level of aircraft also resulted in a $309,000 decrease in administrative fee revenue from FedEx compared to the prior year period.  Revenues in the ground equipment sales segment decreased $6,735,000 (21%) to $25,965,000 principally as a result of a decrease in domestic commercial deicer revenues during the first nine months of fiscal 2010.  GAS revenues increased $1,448,000 (27%) to $6,853,000 as it continues to expand existing locations as well as add new customers and new locations.

Operating expenses decreased $8,004,000 (12%) to $56,577,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period.  The decrease was due to a number of factors.  Operating expenses in the air cargo segment were down $2,818,000 (11%) primarily as a result of decreased flight and maintenance departments costs passed through to its customer at cost, as a result of the lower number of aircraft operated.  Ground equipment sales segment operating costs decreased $5,159,000 (21%) driven primarily by the current period’s decrease in domestic commercial units produced.  The ground support services segment reported a $724,000 increase in operating expenses directly related to the increased revenue provided by GAS this period.  General and administrative expenses decreased $739,000 (9%) to $7,824,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to its equivalent prior period. There were a number of significant components comprising this decrease.  First, we had a $220,000 decrease in professional fees this period related to decreases in spending for consulting and legal fees at GGS.  The provision for doubtful accounts was $112,000 less in the current period compared to the prior year comparable period.  In addition, travel, tradeshow and advertising expense decreased by approximately $129,000, period to period.  Compensation expense relating to stock options was $120,000 less in the current period.  Finally, profit sharing expense was $104,000 less in the current period based on the decreased earnings.

Operating income for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 was $4,834,000, a $551,000 (10%) decrease from the same period of the prior year.  The overnight air cargo segment saw a 21% decrease in its operating income due to fewer aircraft and the corresponding decrease in administrative fee revenue, but otherwise experienced no significant changes to its operations or margins.  The ground equipment sales segment experienced a 25% decrease in its operating income principally a result of the decrease in revenues, with the segment’s gross margin relatively consistent over the two periods.  The ground support services segment saw a nearly 300% increase in its operating income as the new segment has transitioned from startup mode and is now beginning to benefit from the maturing of its individual locations and business overall.

Non-operating income, net, decreased by $282,000 to $64,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009.  The $550,000 lawsuit settlement in December 2008 was a principal component of this decrease.  This was partially offset by the $195,000 retirement plan settlement expense recorded in December 2008.  In addition, the Company had a $64,000 decrease in interest expense from the prior period.

Pretax earnings decreased $833,000 for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior period, due in large part to the decrease in the ground equipment sales segment operating revenues and income and to a lesser degree to the decrease in the air cargo segment operating revenues and income, offset partially by the growth and increase in ground support services revenues and income.  The decrease in non-operating income was also a significant component when comparing the two periods.

During the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $1,686,000 in income tax expense, which resulted in an estimated annual tax rate of 34.4%, compared to 36.6% for the comparable prior period. The rate for the current period is low compared to the U. S. federal statutory rate of 34% primarily due to a true up of federal income taxes on prior year tax filings and foreign tax credits.    The rates for both periods are also subject to the effect of state income taxes offset by permanent tax differences, including the federal production deduction.

As of December 31, 2009 the Company's working capital amounted to $20,865,000, an increase of $3,170,000 compared to March 31, 2009. The increase was primarily the result of positive earnings for the period offset by the payment of the annual dividend in June 2009.

 
 

The Company has a $7,000,000 secured long-term revolving credit line with an expiration date of August 31, 2011.  The revolving credit line contains customary events of default, a subjective acceleration clause and a fixed charge coverage requirement, with which the Company was in compliance at December 31, 2009.  There is no requirement for the Company to maintain a lock-box arrangement under this agreement.  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. At December 31, 2009, $7,000,000 was available under the terms of the credit facility and no amounts were outstanding.

 

Amounts advanced under the credit facility bear interest at the 30-day “LIBOR” rate plus 150 basis points.  The LIBOR rate at December 31, 2009 was .23%. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates on its line of credit with respect to any borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.  However, because the Company’s outstanding balance under the line of credit was minimal during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, changes in the LIBOR rate during that period would have had a minimal affect on its interest expense for the quarter.

Following is a table of changes in cash flow for the respective periods:

 

Cash used in operating activities was $4,651,000 more for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009 compared to the similar prior year period, resulting from a variety of offsetting factors.  Accounts receivable increased significantly during the current period.  Collections have slowed somewhat in our ground equipment sales and ground support services segments in the current period reflecting the general economic environment.  In addition the increasing level of business in GAS has contributed to a higher accounts receivable balance.  Inventory levels are decreasing in the current period as the Company has focused on carrying lower levels of inventory for GGS.

 
 

Cash used in investing activities was very comparable in the nine-month periods, principally equipment acquisitions.

Cash used in financing activities was $449,000 more in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2009, than in the corresponding prior year period primarily due to the payoff of the aircraft term loan in April 2009.

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 $0.33 per share cash dividend in June 2009.

The Company believes that inflation has not had a material effect on its 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.

 

Not applicable.

Our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2009. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures including the accumulation and communication of information to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving the stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

 

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 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

Information on legal proceedings is set forth in Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this report, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 6.  Exhibits

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.

Date:  February 1, 2010

Walter Clark, Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

John Parry, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

AIR T, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1         Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2         Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1         Section 1350 Certifications