ATSG Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 results, showing stable Q4 revenues of $517 million year-over-year. The company achieved significant improvements in Q4, with GAAP EPS from continuing operations rising to $0.21 from a loss of ($0.24), and Adjusted EBITDA increasing to $162.2 million from $129.9 million.

For full-year 2024, revenues were $2.0 billion compared to $2.1 billion in 2023. Free cash flow improved substantially to $228.1 million from negative ($111.8) million. The company's CAM leasing business placed nine Boeing 767-300 freighters with external customers in 2024, while ACMI Services showed improved Q4 profitability with increased cargo block hours.

Notably, ATSG is in the process of being acquired by Stonepeak, with stockholder approval received on February 10, 2025. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending U.S. Department of Transportation approval.

Positive

• Q4 GAAP EPS improved to $0.21 from -$0.24 year-over-year
• Q4 Adjusted EBITDA increased 25% to $162.2M
• Strong free cash flow of $228.1M in 2024
• ACMI Services Q4 pretax earnings improved to $26M from -$2M
• Placed 9 Boeing 767-300 freighters with external customers

Negative

• Full-year revenue declined to $2.0B from $2.1B
• Full-year GAAP EPS decreased to $0.40 from $0.82
• CAM's pretax earnings fell 46% to $59M for the full year
• Passenger block hours decreased 9% in Q4 and 14% for the year
• Aircraft leasing revenue decreased 12% in Q4

Insights

Financial Analyst

ATSG's Q4 shows a convincing turnaround with strong free cash flow generation of $34.7 million versus last year's negative $65.5 million, resulting in $228.1 million FCF for the full year. The GAAP profitability shift is particularly noteworthy, swinging from a $15.6 million pretax loss to $24.3 million profit in Q4.

However, this quarterly strength doesn't mask full-year challenges. Annual revenue declined 5% to $2.0 billion, while adjusted EPS fell 40% to $0.87, highlighting operational pressures in the air cargo market. The pending Stonepeak acquisition provides a strategic exit for shareholders amid these mixed results.

Segment performance reveals contrasting trends. The CAM leasing business delivered nine 767-300 freighters to external customers but saw pretax earnings plummet 46% year-over-year, driven by increased depreciation and interest expenses. Meanwhile, ACMI Services recovered strongly in Q4 with $26 million pretax profit, though full-year earnings collapsed from $32 million to just $1 million.

The strategic shift toward newer aircraft types continues with scheduled retirements of 767-200s, sales of nine aircraft, and upcoming delivery of their first A330 freighters. This transition supports long-term competitive positioning but pressures near-term profitability.

With the Stonepeak transaction progressing toward H1 2025 closing, management is appropriately focused on execution rather than forward guidance, having already secured shareholder approval and now working on regulatory clearances.

Transportation Industry Specialist

ATSG's operational improvements in Q4 showcase the company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions within the air cargo sector. The securing and deployment of all nine converted 767-300 freighters to external customers demonstrates continued market demand for dedicated air freight capacity, even as overall market rates have normalized post-pandemic.

The sequential improvement in both passenger and freighter block hours is particularly notable given industry-wide volume challenges. While cargo block hours increased 3% in Q4, the full-year 5% decline reflects broader logistics network adjustments by major e-commerce customers optimizing their distribution networks.

ATSG's fleet strategy reveals important industry trends: phasing out older 767-200s while investing in next-generation A330 freighter conversions positions the company for improved fuel efficiency and cargo capacity. Having 14 aircraft in or awaiting conversion represents significant future revenue potential, though the reduction from 23 aircraft in conversion last year suggests a more measured pace of fleet expansion.

The improved ACMI Services performance stems primarily from the addition of 11 customer-provided 767-300s, highlighting how asset-light operations can enhance returns when customer demand supports utilization. This validated ATSG's dual business model combining owned aircraft leasing with operational services.

With $228.1 million in free cash flow for 2024, ATSG has demonstrated financial resilience despite revenue pressure. The positive quarterly momentum and Stonepeak's strategic interest confirm the underlying value of specialized air cargo infrastructure assets in evolving supply chains, even as the company navigates challenging year-over-year comparisons.

Continues Strong Cash Flow

WILMINGTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSG), the leading provider of medium wide-body freighter aircraft leasing, contracted air transportation, and related services, today reported consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. Those results, as compared with the same period in 2023, were as follows:

Fourth Quarter Results

• Revenues of $517 million, consistent with $517 million in prior year period
• GAAP Earnings per Share (diluted) from Continuing Operations of $0.21, versus a Loss per Share of ($0.24)
• GAAP Pretax Earnings from Continuing Operations of $24.3 million, versus a Pretax Loss of ($15.6) million
• Adjusted Pretax* Earnings of $39.8 million, versus $19.8 million
• Adjusted EPS* of $0.40, versus $0.18
• Adjusted EBITDA* of $162.2 million, versus $129.9 million
• Free Cash Flow* was $34.7 million, versus negative ($65.5) million

Full Year 2024 Results

• Revenues of $2.0 billion, versus $2.1 billion
• GAAP Earnings per Share (diluted) from Continuing Operations of $0.40, versus $0.82 per share
• GAAP Pretax Earnings from Continuing Operations of $42.3 million, versus $84.2 million
• Adjusted Pretax* Earnings of $83.0 million, versus $146.7 million
• Adjusted EPS* of $0.87, versus $1.46
• Adjusted EBITDA* of $549.4 million, versus $561.6 million
• Free Cash Flow* was $228.1 million, versus negative ($111.8) million

* Adjusted EPS (Earnings per Share), Adjusted Pretax Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), Free Cash Flow, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures used in this release, which are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP at the end of this release.

As previously announced on November 3, 2024, ATSG entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets. In light of the pending transaction, ATSG will not hold an earnings conference call or provide forward-looking guidance this quarter. The company is working to complete the transaction in the first half of 2025 and continues to make progress toward completing all conditions to closing. On February 10, 2025, ATSG received stockholder approval to be acquired by Stonepeak. At this time, ATSG is working to obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Mike Berger, chief executive officer of ATSG, said, "I’m proud of the entire ATSG team for their focus and dedication as we delivered strong fourth quarter results, as well as safe and reliable service. We saw continued momentum in our CAM leasing business, placing our ninth converted 767-300 freighter this year with an external customer in November. In ACMI Services, we saw improved profitability in the quarter, operating all ten of the additional aircraft recently provided by Amazon with sequential quarter improvements in both passenger and freighter hours flown. We once again generated significant free cash flow, with a total of $228 million for the year. We remain excited about our future with Stonepeak, and we are on track for closing in the first half of this year. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities we see ahead of us in 2025, including the delivery of our first four converted A330 freighters."

2024 Operating Highlights

• CAM added nine Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft and placed all nine of these aircraft with external customers under long-term leases.
• Eleven more customer-provided 767-300 freighters were subleased to and operated by an ATSG cargo airline during 2024, for a total of 27 such aircraft in the fleet at the end of the year.

Segment Results

Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM)

• Aircraft leasing and related revenues decreased 12% for the fourth quarter and 6% for the year. While revenue benefited from nine additional 767-300 freighter leases since the end of December 2023, these lease revenues were more than offset by the scheduled return of nine 767-200 and four 767-300 aircraft and lower lease-related maintenance revenue over that same period.
• CAM’s fourth quarter pretax earnings decreased $9 million, or 44%, to $12 million versus $21 million for the prior-year quarter, and decreased by $51 million, or 46% to $59 million for the full year. Segment depreciation expense increased by $34 million and interest expense by $12 million versus the prior year.
• At the end of the fourth quarter, 91 CAM-owned aircraft were leased to external customers, one more than a year ago. During 2024, five 767-200 freighters were removed from service. Six 767-200s and three 767-300s were sold during the year.
• Fourteen CAM-owned aircraft were in or awaiting conversion to freighters at the end of the fourth quarter, nine fewer than at the end of the prior-year quarter. This included seven 767s, one A321, and six A330s.

ACMI Services

• Pretax earnings were $26 million in the fourth quarter, versus a pretax loss of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter results benefited from eleven customer-provided Boeing 767-300 aircraft that were added to our flight operations, as well as revenue rate increases since the prior year. Full year pretax earnings were $1 million in 2024, versus $32 million in 2023, down due to reduced flying in both our customers’ delivery networks and passenger operations, as well as increased costs for depreciation and amortization, employee compensation and customer incentives compared to 2023.
• Revenue block hours for ATSG's airlines increased 1% for the fourth quarter but declined 6% for 2024 over 2023. Cargo block hours increased 3% for the fourth quarter, driven by the eleven incremental customer-provided aircraft, but declined 5% for the year when compared to 2023. Passenger block hours decreased 9% in the quarter and 14% for the year compared to 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release, including the attached tables, contains financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") in the United States, and financial measures that are not calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP ("non-GAAP financial measures"). Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate historical results and project future results. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures assist in highlighting operational trends, facilitating period-over-period comparisons, and providing additional clarity about events and trends affecting core operating performance. Disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures provides insight to investors about additional metrics that management uses to evaluate past performance and prospects for future performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies. The historical non-GAAP financial measures included in this release are reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the non-GAAP reconciliation tables included later in this release.

About ATSG

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) is a premier provider of aircraft leasing and cargo and passenger air transportation solutions for both domestic and international air carriers, as well as companies seeking outsourced airlift services. ATSG is the global leader in freighter aircraft leasing with a fleet that includes Boeing 767, Airbus A321, and soon, Airbus A330 converted freighters. ATSG's unique Lease+Plus aircraft leasing opportunity draws upon a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries including three airlines holding separate and distinct U.S. FAA Part 121 Air Carrier certificates to provide air cargo lift, and passenger ACMI and charter services. Complementary services from ATSG's other subsidiaries allow the integration of aircraft maintenance, airport ground services, and material handling equipment engineering and service. ATSG subsidiaries comprise ABX Air, Inc.; Airborne Global Solutions, Inc.; Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc., including its subsidiary, Pemco World Air Services, Inc.; Air Transport International, Inc.; Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.; LGSTX Services, Inc.; and Omni Air International, LLC. For further details, please visit www.atsginc.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Throughout this release, Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (“ATSG") makes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended (the “Act”). Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Such statements are provided under the “safe harbor” protection of the Act. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated operating results, prospects and aircraft in service, technological developments, economic trends, expected transactions and similar matters. The words “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “goal,” “project,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “will,” “continue,” “likely,” “should,” “hope,” “seek,” “plan,” “intend” and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of ATSG’s objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors. While ATSG believes that the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, accordingly, ATSG’s actual results and experiences could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause ATSG's actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in the market demand for ATSG's assets and services, including the loss of customers or a reduction in the level of services it performs for customers; (ii) its operating airlines' ability to maintain on-time service and control costs; (iii) the cost and timing with respect to which it is able to purchase and modify aircraft to a cargo configuration; (iv) fluctuations in ATSG's traded share price and in interest rates, which may result in mark-to-market charges on certain financial instruments; (v) the number, timing, and scheduled routes of its aircraft deployments to customers; (vi) ATSG's ability to remain in compliance with key agreements with customers, lenders and government agencies; (vii) the impact of current supply chain constraints, which may be more severe or persist longer than it currently expects; (viii) the impact of the current competitive labor market; (ix) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions, including inflation and regulatory changes; and (x) the impact of geopolitical tensions or conflicts and human health crises, and other factors that could cause ATSG’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, which are discussed in Item 1A of ATSG's 2024 Form 10-K and may be contained from time to time in its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K.

On November 3, 2024, ATSG entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Stonepeak Nile Parent LLC and Stonepeak Nile MergerCo Inc. (the “Merger”). Statements regarding the Merger, including the expected time period to consummate the Merger, the anticipated benefits (including synergies) of the Merger and integration and transition plans, opportunities, anticipated future performance, expected share buyback programs and expected dividends, are also provided under the “safe harbor” protection in the Act. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the Merger, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the Merger; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement; the risk that the anticipated tax treatment of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Transaction”) is not obtained; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the Merger in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the Merger; the risk that any announcements relating to the Merger could have adverse effects on the market price of ATSG’s common stock; the risk that the Merger and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the parties’ business relationships and business generally, including the ability of ATSG to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers, and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk of unforeseen or unknown liabilities; customer, shareholder, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; the risk of unexpected future capital expenditures; the impact of litigation relating to the Transaction instituted against ATSG and its directors and/or officers; the risk associated with third party contracts containing material consent, anti-assignment, transfer or other provisions that may be related to the Merger which are not waived or otherwise satisfactorily resolved; the risk of rating agency actions and ATSG’s ability to access short- and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; and the risks resulting from other effects of industry, market, economic, legal or legislative, political or regulatory conditions outside of ATSG’s control.

Readers should carefully review this release and should not place undue reliance on ATSG's forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements were based only on information, plans and estimates as of the date of this release. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and factors that ATSG currently deems immaterial may become material, and it is impossible for ATSG to predict these events or how they may affect it. Except as may be required by applicable law, ATSG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes. ATSG does not endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
REVENUES		$	516,791			$	517,040			$	1,961,971			$	2,070,611
OPERATING EXPENSES
Salaries, wages and benefits			179,436				173,657				685,099				685,940
Depreciation and amortization			103,363				89,314				384,617				342,985
Maintenance, materials and repairs			51,719				63,929				194,902				212,767
Fuel			47,089				65,482				228,518				278,528
Contracted ground and aviation services			20,675				18,450				76,469				74,273
Travel			30,601				31,586				123,860				128,584
Landing and ramp			4,009				4,347				16,276				17,486
Rent			7,926				7,506				31,157				31,703
Insurance			3,094				1,503				11,508				9,790
Merger transaction fees			8,284				—				8,284				—
Other operating expenses			18,798				24,628				73,478				88,723
			474,994				480,402				1,834,168				1,870,779
OPERATING INCOME			41,797				36,638				127,803				199,832
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest income			150				181				959				766
Settlement charges and non-service component of retiree benefit costs			(1,085	)			(27,363	)			(4,341	)			(37,017	)
Debt issuance costs			—				—				—				(936	)
Net gain (loss) on financial instruments			2,662				(3,754	)			2,796				(962	)
Gain (loss) from non-consolidated affiliate			31				(342	)			(2,171	)			(4,740	)
Interest expense			(19,211	)			(20,951	)			(82,705	)			(72,704	)
			(17,453	)			(52,229	)			(85,462	)			(115,593	)
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES			24,344				(15,591	)			42,341				84,239
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT			(9,630	)			4				(14,907	)			(24,491	)
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			14,714				(15,587	)			27,434				59,748
EARNINGS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES			—				579				—				579
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)		$	14,714			$	(15,008	)		$	27,434			$	60,327
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Basic		$	0.23			$	(0.24	)		$	0.42			$	0.87
Diluted		$	0.21			$	(0.24	)		$	0.40			$	0.82
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Basic			65,067				64,876				65,026				68,641
Diluted			66,828				64,876				67,309				75,561

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except share data)
		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	60,576			$	53,555
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,245 and $1,065 in 2024 and 2023			208,269				215,581
Inventory			49,867				49,939
Prepaid supplies and other			32,870				26,626
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			351,582				345,701
Property and equipment, net			2,752,305				2,820,769
Customer incentive			125,704				60,961
Goodwill and acquired intangibles			467,324				482,427
Operating lease assets			53,728				54,060
Other assets			143,068				118,172
TOTAL ASSETS		$	3,893,711			$	3,882,090
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		$	236,939			$	227,652
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits			63,086				56,650
Accrued expenses			9,980				10,784
Current portion of debt obligations			661				54,710
Current portion of lease obligations			18,553				20,167
Unearned revenue			30,001				30,226
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			359,220				400,189
Long term debt			1,548,080				1,707,572
Stock warrant obligations			17,752				1,729
Post-retirement obligations			17,397				19,368
Long term lease obligations			35,322				34,990
Other liabilities			135,135				64,292
Deferred income taxes			296,793				285,248
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, 20,000,000 shares authorized, including 75,000 Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock			—				—
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 65,888,047 and 65,240,961 shares issued and outstanding in 2024 and 2023, respectively			659				652
Additional paid-in capital			915,990				836,270
Retained earnings			616,643				589,209
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(49,280	)			(57,429	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY			1,484,012				1,368,702
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	3,893,711			$	3,882,090

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
OPERATING CASH FLOWS		$	133,739			$	127,988			$	532,815			$	654,081
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Aircraft acquisitions and freighter conversions			(73,033	)			(151,103	)			(218,060	)			(573,976	)
Planned aircraft maintenance, engine overhauls and other non-aircraft additions to property and equipment			(36,970	)			(61,004	)			(112,946	)			(219,471	)
Proceeds from property and equipment			11,563				18,602				46,746				29,118
Acquisitions and investments in businesses			(600	)			—				(20,445	)			(1,600	)
TOTAL INVESTING CASH FLOWS			(99,040	)			(193,505	)			(304,705	)			(765,929	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Principal payments on secured debt			(169,367	)			(45,105	)			(795,866	)			(225,639	)
Proceeds from revolver borrowings			155,043				115,000				580,000				335,000
Proceeds from convertible note issuance			—				—				—				400,000
Payments for financing costs			—				—				—				(10,779	)
Repurchase of convertible notes			—				—				—				(203,247	)
Purchase of common stock			—				—				—				(155,349	)
Taxes paid for conversion of employee awards			(4,672	)			(1,408	)			(5,223	)			(2,986	)
Other financing related proceeds			—				—				—				1,269
TOTAL FINANCING CASH FLOWS			(18,996	)			68,487				(221,089	)			138,269
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH		$	15,703			$	2,970			$	7,021			$	26,421
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		$	44,873			$	50,585			$	53,555			$	27,134
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	60,576			$	53,555			$	60,576			$	53,555

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES PRETAX EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND ADJUSTED PRETAX EARNINGS SUMMARY NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues
CAM
Aircraft leasing and related revenues		$	114,657			$	130,987			$	446,433			$	476,487
Customer incentive			(3,097	)			(3,096	)			(12,386	)			(15,449	)
Total CAM			111,560				127,891				434,047				461,038
ACMI Services
ACMI services revenue			377,761				335,018				1,372,322				1,403,004
Customer incentive			(5,694	)			(816	)			(16,280	)			(3,240	)
Total ACMI Services			372,067				334,202				1,356,042				1,399,764
Other Activities			90,982				112,288				390,662				446,506
Total Revenues			574,609				574,381				2,180,751				2,307,308
Eliminate internal revenues			(57,818	)			(57,341	)			(218,780	)			(236,697	)
Customer Revenues		$	516,791			$	517,040			$	1,961,971			$	2,070,611
Pretax Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations
CAM, inclusive of interest expense			11,609				20,889				58,544				109,415
ACMI Services, inclusive of interest expense			25,720				(2,051	)			747				32,006
Other Activities			(5,746	)			(2,552	)			(2,052	)			(11,165	)
Net, unallocated interest expense			(563	)			(418	)			(2,898	)			(2,362	)
Settlement and non-service components of retiree benefit costs			(1,085	)			(27,363	)			(4,341	)			(37,017	)
Debt issuance costs			—				—				—				(936	)
Transaction fees			(8,284	)			—				(8,284	)			—
Net gain (loss) on financial instruments			2,662				(3,754	)			2,796				(962	)
Gain (loss) from non-consolidated affiliates			31				(342	)			(2,171	)			(4,740	)
Earnings (loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes (GAAP)		$	24,344			$	(15,591	)		$	42,341			$	84,239
Adjustments to Pretax Earnings from Continuing Operations
Add customer incentive amortization			8,791				3,912				28,666				18,689
Add (gain) loss from non-consolidated affiliates			(31	)			342				2,171				4,740
Less debt issuance costs			—				—				—				936
Less net (gain) loss on financial instruments			(2,662	)			3,754				(2,796	)			962
Less settlement and non-service components of retiree benefit costs			1,085				27,363				4,341				37,017
Add transaction fees			8,284				—				8,284				—
Add net charges for hangar foam incident			—				26				—				97
Adjusted Pretax Earnings (non-GAAP)		$	39,811			$	19,806			$	83,007			$	146,680

Adjusted Pretax Earnings (non-GAAP) excludes certain items included in GAAP-based Pretax Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes because these items are distinctly different in their predictability among periods, or not closely related to our operations. Presenting this measure provides investors with a comparative metric of fundamental operations, while highlighting changes to certain items among periods. Adjusted Pretax Earnings should not be considered an alternative to Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP.

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ADJUSTED EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes		$	24,344			$	(15,591	)		$	42,341			$	84,239
Interest Income			(150	)			(181	)			(959	)			(766	)
Interest Expense			19,211				20,951				82,705				72,704
Depreciation and Amortization			103,363				89,314				384,617				342,985
EBITDA from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP)		$	146,768			$	94,493			$	508,704			$	499,162
Add customer incentive amortization			8,791				3,912				28,666				18,689
Add start-up loss from non-consolidated affiliates			(31	)			342				2,171				4,740
Less debt issuance cost			—				—				—				936
Less net loss (gain) on financial instruments			(2,662	)			3,754				(2,796	)			962
Less settlement and non-service components of retiree benefit costs			1,085				27,363				4,341				37,017
Add transaction fees			8,284				—				8,284				—
Add net charges for hangar foam fire suppression system discharge			—				26				—				97
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)		$	162,235			$	129,890			$	549,370			$	561,603

Management uses Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP, defined below) to assess the performance of the Company's operating results among periods. It is a metric that facilitates the comparison of financial results of underlying operations. Additionally, these non-GAAP adjustments are similar to the adjustments used by lenders in the Company’s senior secured credit facility to assess financial performance and determine the cost of borrowed funds. The adjustments also remove the non-service cost components of retiree benefit plans and transaction fees stemming from the pending merger because they are not closely related to ongoing operating activities. To improve comparability between periods, the adjustments also exclude from EBITDA from Continuing Operations the recognition of charges related to the discharge of a foam fire suppression system in a Company aircraft hangar, net of related insurance recoveries. Management presents EBITDA from Continuing Operations (defined below), as a subtotal toward calculating Adjusted EBITDA.

EBITDA from Continuing Operations (non-GAAP) is defined as Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes plus net interest expense, depreciation, and amortization expense. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA from Continuing Operations less financial instrument revaluation gains or losses, non-service components of retiree benefit costs, amortization of warrant-based customer incentive costs recorded in revenue, charge off of debt issuance costs upon refinancing, costs from non-consolidated affiliates, transaction fees related to the definitive agreement to be acquired by Stonepeak and charges related to the discharge of a foam fire suppression system, net of insurance recoveries.

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CASH FLOWS NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Year Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (GAAP)		$	133,739			$	127,988			$	532,815			$	654,081
Sustaining capital expenditures			(36,970	)			(61,004	)			(112,946	)			(219,471	)
ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW (non-GAAP)		$	96,769			$	66,984			$	419,869			$	434,610
Aircraft acquisitions and freighter conversions			(73,033	)			(151,103	)			(218,060	)			(573,976	)
Proceeds from property and equipment			11,563				18,602				46,746				29,118
Acquisitions and investments in businesses			(600	)			—				(20,445	)			(1,600	)
FREE CASH FLOW (non-GAAP)		$	34,699			$	(65,517	)		$	228,110			$	(111,848	)

Sustaining capital expenditures includes cash outflows for planned aircraft maintenance, engine overhauls, information systems and other non-aircraft additions to property and equipment. It does not include expenditures for aircraft acquisitions and related passenger-to-freighter conversion costs.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) includes cash flow from operating activities net of expenditures for planned aircraft maintenance, engine overhauls and other non-aircraft additions to property and equipment. Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) is net cash from operating activities reduced for net cash flows from investing activities. Management believes that adjusting GAAP operating cash flows is useful for investors to evaluate the company's ability to generate adjusted free cash flow for growth initiatives, debt service, stock buybacks or other discretionary allocations of capital.

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES ADJUSTED EARNINGS AND ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION (In thousands)
Management presents Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share, both non-GAAP financial measures, to provide additional information regarding earnings per share without the volatility otherwise caused by the items below among periods.
		Three Months Ended																Year Ended
		December 31, 2024								December 31, 2023								December 31, 2024								December 31, 2023
		$				$ Per Share				$				$ Per Share				$				$ Per Share				$				$ Per Share
Earnings (loss) from Continuing Operations - basic (GAAP)		$	14,714							$	(15,587	)						$	27,434							$	59,748
Gain from warrant revaluation, net tax1			(695	)							(68	)							(684	)							(174	)
Convertible notes interest charges, net of tax 2			17								—								492								2,160
Earnings (loss) from Continuing Operations - diluted (GAAP)			14,036				0.21				(15,655	)		$	(0.24	)			27,242			$	0.40				61,734			$	0.82
Adjustments, net of tax
Convertible notes interest charges, net of tax 2			—				—				161				—				—				—				—				—
Customer incentive 3			6,660				0.10				3,038				0.05				21,746				0.32				14,539				0.19
Settlement and non-service component of retiree benefits4			822				0.01				21,250				0.33				3,297				0.05				28,761				0.38
Derivative and warrant revaluation5			(1,321	)			(0.02	)			2,984				0.04				(1,452	)			(0.02	)			1,657				0.02
(Gain) Loss from affiliates6			(23	)			—				266				—				1,645				0.03				3,683				0.05
Transaction fees7			6,276				0.10				—				—				6,276				0.09				—				—
Hangar foam incident8			—				—				20				—				—				—				75				—
Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP)		$	26,450			$	0.40			$	12,064			$	0.18			$	58,754			$	0.87			$	110,449			$	1.46
		Shares								Shares								Shares								Shares
Weighted Average Shares - diluted 1			66,828								64,876								67,309								75,561
Additional shares - warrant and stock-based compensation 1			—								481								—								—
Additional shares - convertible notes 2			—								1,700								—								—
Adjusted Shares (non-GAAP)			66,828								67,057								67,309								75,561

Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share should not be considered as alternatives to Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Weighted Average Shares - diluted or Earnings (Loss) Per Share from Continuing Operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

1. Under U.S. GAAP, certain warrants are reflected as a liability and unrealized warrant gains are typically removed from diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations, while unrealized warrant losses are not removed because they are dilutive to EPS. For each quarter, shares assume that Amazon net settled its remaining warrants that were above the strike price. Each year reflects an average of the quarterly shares.
2. Under U.S. GAAP, certain types of convertible debt are treated under the "if-convert method" if dilutive for EPS. Stock-based compensation awards are treated under the "treasury stock method" if dilutive for EPS. The non-GAAP presentation adds the dilutive effects that were excluded under GAAP.
3. Removes the amortization of the warrant-based customer incentives which are recorded against revenue over the term of the related aircraft leases and customer contracts.
4. Removes the non-service component effects of employee post-retirement plans.
5. Removes gains and losses from financial instruments, including derivative interest rate instruments and warrant revaluations.
6. Removes losses for the Company's non-consolidated affiliates.
7. Removes transaction fees related to the definitive agreement to be acquired by Stonepeak.
8. Removes charges related to the discharge of a foam fire suppression system in a Company aircraft hangar, net of related insurance recoveries.

AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AIRCRAFT FLEET
Aircraft Types
		December 31, 2023								December 31, 2024
		Freighter				Passenger				Freighter				Passenger
Aircraft in service
B767-200 1			22				3				17				3
B767-300			87				8				108				10
B777-200			—				3				—				3
B757 Combi			—				4				—				4
A321-200			3				—				3				—
A330			—				—				—				—
Total Aircraft in Service			112				18				128				20
Aircraft available for lease
B767-200			1				—				—				—
B767-300			3				—				—				—
A321			—				—				5				—
Total Aircraft Available for Lease			4				—				5				—
Aircraft in Cargo Modification
B767-300			9				—				2				—
A321			6				—				1				—
A330			2				—				5				—
Feedstock
B767			5				—				5				—
A330			1				—				1				—
Total Aircraft			139				18				147				20

Aircraft in Service
		December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2024
Dry leased without CMI			42				51
Dry leased with CMI			48				40
Customer provided for CMI			16				27
ACMI/Charter2			24				30

1. Boeing 767-200 aircraft are retired from service, management plans to use the engines and related parts to support the remaining Boeing 767 fleet and part sales.
2. ACMI/Charter includes four Boeing 767 passenger aircraft leased from external companies through December 31, 2023 and six Boeing 767 passenger aircraft leased from external companies after December 31, 2024.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250303913026/en/

Quint Turner, ATSG Inc. Chief Financial Officer

937-366-2303

Source: Air Transport Services Group, Inc.

FAQ

What were ATSG's key financial metrics for Q4 2024?

ATSG reported Q4 2024 revenues of $517M, GAAP EPS of $0.21, Adjusted EBITDA of $162.2M, and Free Cash Flow of $34.7M.

How many aircraft did ATSG's CAM division lease in 2024?

CAM added and placed nine Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft with external customers under long-term leases in 2024.

What is the status of ATSG's acquisition by Stonepeak?

ATSG received stockholder approval on February 10, 2025, and is working to obtain U.S. Department of Transportation approval, with expected closing in first half 2025.

How did ATSG's ACMI Services perform in Q4 2024?

ACMI Services achieved Q4 pretax earnings of $26M, up from a $2M loss in Q4 2023, with cargo block hours increasing 3%.

What was ATSG's free cash flow performance in 2024?

ATSG generated significant free cash flow of $228.1M in 2024, compared to negative $111.8M in 2023.