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AAWW
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings

5/21/2013, 6:43 AM ET
Quote & Headlines Market Currents StockTalk Description
Sector: Services
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Country: United States

AAWW is a holding company with a principal operating subsidiary, Atlas Air, Inc. (“Atlas”), which is wholly-owned. AAWW also has a 51% economic interest and 75% voting interest in Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (“Polar”), which is accounted for under the equity method as of October 27, 2008. On June 28, 2007, Polar issued shares representing a 49% economic interest and a 25% voting interest to DHL Network Operations (USA), Inc. (“DHL”), a subsidiary of Deutsche Post AG (“DP”) that has guaranteed DHL’s obligations under its agreements with AAWW either directly or through a creditworthy subsidiary. Prior to that date, Polar was wholly owned by AAWW and was the parent company of Polar Air Cargo, Inc., the entity through which AAWW had principally conducted its Scheduled Service business. Polar Air Cargo, Inc. was converted to a limited liability company in June 2007 (“Polar LLC”), and is now wholly owned by AAWW. In 2008, AAWW formed Titan Aviation Leasing Ltd. and Titan Aviation Leasing Limited-Americas, Inc. (collectively referred to as “Titan”), wholly owned subsidiaries, to Dry Lease aircraft and engines. In addition, Atlas Dry Leases aircraft to Global Supply Systems Limited (“GSS”), an entity in which AAWW has a 49% ownership interest. GSS became a consolidated subsidiary on April 8, 2009. Previously, GSS was accounted for under the equity method. AAWW, Atlas, Polar, GSS, Titan and Polar LLC are herein referred to collectively as “the Company” “we,” “us” or “our.” References to Polar LLC include, where appropriate, Polar Air Cargo, Inc.

We are the global leader in leasing and outsourcing services for wide-body freighter aircraft. We manage and operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighters. We provide unique value to our customers by giving them access to highly reliable new production freighters that deliver the lowest unit cost in the marketplace combined with outsourced aircraft operating services that lead the industry in terms of quality and global scale. Our customers include airlines, express delivery providers, freight forwarders, the U.S. military and charter brokers. We provide global services with operations in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, South America, Africa and North America.

Global airfreight demand is highly correlated with global gross domestic product. The slowdown in global economic activity in 2008 and 2009 resulted in an unprecedented decline in airfreight volumes during the second half of 2008 that continued into the first half of 2009. Although industry supply and demand levels have improved meaningfully since early 2009, airfreight demand remains below pre-recession levels. The fourth quarter of 2009 produced encouraging trends for peak period airfreight demand and yields, which were consistent with a tightened supply in 2009.

We believe that our business model, which focuses on the deployment of modern and efficient aircraft in long-term and fixed price contracts with creditworthy customers as well as the ability to provide scale, scope and quality outsourced operating services, has positioned us well to meet the challenges of the market environment. Our existing fleet of 22 modern, high-efficiency 747-400 aircraft represents one of the most efficient freighter fleets in the market. Our primary placement for these aircraft will continue to be long-term ACMI outsourcing contracts with high-credit-quality customers.

Our growth plans are focused on the further enhancement of our ACMI market position with our order of 12 new, state-of-the-art 747-8F aircraft. These aircraft are manufactured by the Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and we expect Boeing to begin delivery to us in early 2011. We are a launch customer for the aircraft and are currently the only operator offering these aircraft on a Wet Lease basis to the ACMI leasing market. In addition to our firm commitments for 12 aircraft, we also hold rights to purchase up to an additional 14 747-8F aircraft, providing us with flexibility to further expand our fleet in response to market conditions.

We believe that the scale, scope and quality of our outsourced services are unparalleled in our industry. The relative operating cost efficiency of our current 747-400F aircraft and future 747-8F aircraft, including their superior fuel efficiency, payload capacity and loading capabilities, create a compelling value proposition for our customers and position us well for future growth in the ACMI, Commercial Charter and Dry Leasing areas of our business.

Our primary service offerings are:

Aircraft leasing and outsourcing services, which encompass the following:

ACMI, whereby we provide outsourced aircraft operating solutions including the provision of crew, maintenance and insurance for the aircraft, while customers assume fuel, demand and yield risk. ACMI contracts typically range from three to six years for 747-400s. Beginning in 2010, we plan to engage in CMI flying, which is similar to ACMI flying, except that the customer will be providing its own aircraft. Included in ACMI is the provision of outsourced airport-to-airport wide-body cargo aircraft solutions to Polar for the benefit of DHL and other customers (“Express Network ACMI”). Through this arrangement, we provide dedicated 747-400 aircraft servicing the requirements of DHL’s global express operations through Polar as well as the requirements of Polar’s other customers. Beginning on April 8, 2009, we consolidated GSS and the aircraft that are Dry Leased to GSS are now included in ACMI; and Dry Leasing, whereby we provide aircraft and/or engine leasing solutions to third parties.

Charter services, which encompass the following:

AMC Charter services, whereby we provide air cargo services for the AMC; and Commercial Charter, whereby we typically provide aircraft charters to brokers, freight forwarders, direct shippers and airlines.

AAWW was incorporated in Delaware in 2000. Our principal executive offices are located at 2000 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, New York 10577, and our telephone number is (914) 701-8000.