Bristow Group Inc - FORM 10-Q - February 8, 2016

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from              to      
 
Commission File Number 001-31617
 
 
Bristow Group Inc.
 
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

Delaware
 
72-0679819
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
2103 City West Blvd.,
4th Floor
Houston, Texas
 
77042
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(713) 267-7600
 
 
None 
 
 
 
 
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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  þ    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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
o  Yes    þ  No
 
Indicate the number shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of Common Stock, as of February 4, 2016.
34,951,725 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
 



BRISTOW GROUP INC.
INDEX — FORM 10-Q
 


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.     Financial Statements.
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
  
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Gross revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue from non-affiliates
 
$
374,979

 
$
408,388

 
$
1,193,002

 
$
1,242,462

Operating revenue from affiliates
 
20,178

 
21,930

 
61,277

 
65,649

Reimbursable revenue from non-affiliates
 
24,730

 
29,822

 
79,515

 
100,203

 
 
419,887

 
460,140

 
1,333,794

 
1,408,314

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost
 
288,135

 
295,425

 
926,378

 
891,483

Reimbursable expense
 
23,380

 
28,549

 
76,242

 
94,466

Depreciation and amortization
 
32,320

 
23,625

 
106,853

 
77,164

General and administrative
 
59,513

 
72,531

 
174,302

 
194,687

 
 
403,348

 
420,130

 
1,283,775

 
1,257,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
—

 
(3,805
)
 
(27,713
)
 
(7,167
)
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(2,154
)
 
(26,331
)
 
(23,856
)
 
(25,594
)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
7,692

 
(958
)
 
(1,372
)
 
419

Operating income (loss)
 
22,077

 
8,916

 
(2,922
)
 
118,172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
(9,536
)
 
(6,976
)
 
(24,384
)
 
(21,675
)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
3,921

 
—

 
3,921

Other income (expense), net
 
650

 
(5,223
)
 
(6,935
)
 
(9,143
)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
13,191

 
638

 
(34,241
)
 
91,275

Provision for income taxes
 
(9,623
)
 
(567
)
 
(9,500
)
 
(18,376
)
Net income (loss)
 
3,568

 
71

 
(43,741
)
 
72,899

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(366
)
 
(1,039
)
 
(3,446
)
 
(3,676
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
3,202

 
(968
)
 
(47,187
)
 
69,223

Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
 
—

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
3,202

 
$
(968
)
 
$
(48,685
)
 
$
69,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
1.96

Diluted
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
1.94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.34

 
$
0.32

 
$
1.02

 
$
0.96


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
  
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
3,568

 
$
71

 
$
(43,741
)
 
$
72,899

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
(3,639
)
 
(20,175
)
 
(7,981
)
 
(30,691
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(71
)
 
(20,104
)
 
(51,722
)
 
42,208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(366
)
 
(1,039
)
 
(3,446
)
 
(3,676
)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(605
)
 
2,381

 
(34
)
 
2,415

Total comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling
interests
 
(971
)
 
1,342

 
(3,480
)
 
(1,261
)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
(1,042
)
 
(18,762
)
 
(55,202
)
 
40,947

Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
 
—

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(1,042
)
 
$
(18,762
)
 
$
(56,700
)
 
$
40,947

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
December 31, 
 2015
 
March 31,  
 2015
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
131,908

 
$
104,146

Accounts receivable from non-affiliates
 
225,665

 
250,610

Accounts receivable from affiliates
 
6,110

 
8,008

Inventories
 
146,590

 
147,169

Assets held for sale
 
52,916

 
57,827

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
48,691

 
70,091

Total current assets
 
611,880

 
637,851

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
 
203,983

 
216,376

Property and equipment – at cost:
 
 
 
 
Land and buildings
 
246,667

 
171,959

Aircraft and equipment
 
2,589,856

 
2,493,869

 
 
2,836,523

 
2,665,828

Less – Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(521,627
)
 
(508,727
)
 
 
2,314,896

 
2,157,101

Goodwill
 
52,530

 
75,628

Other assets
 
168,800

 
143,764

Total assets
 
$
3,352,089

 
$
3,230,720

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
79,951

 
$
84,193

Accrued wages, benefits and related taxes
 
61,489

 
81,648

Income taxes payable
 
18,825

 
7,926

Other accrued taxes
 
8,805

 
13,335

Deferred revenue
 
26,259

 
36,784

Accrued maintenance and repairs
 
24,734

 
23,316

Accrued interest
 
5,574

 
12,831

Other accrued liabilities
 
47,686

 
48,667

Deferred taxes
 
14,302

 
17,704

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
 
47,243

 
18,730

Contingent consideration
 
29,021

 
33,938

Deferred sale leaseback advance
 
—

 
55,934

Total current liabilities
 
363,889

 
435,006

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
1,175,760

 
845,692

Accrued pension liabilities
 
82,620

 
99,576

Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
33,151

 
39,782

Deferred taxes
 
131,899

 
165,655

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
 


 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
24,874

 
26,223

Stockholders’ investment:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 90,000,000; outstanding: 34,944,932 as of December 31 and 34,838,374 as of March 31 (exclusive of 1,291,441 treasury shares)
 
377

 
376

Additional paid-in capital
 
794,676

 
781,837

Retained earnings
 
1,199,977

 
1,284,442

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(278,344
)
 
(270,329
)
Treasury shares, at cost (2,756,419 shares)
 
(184,796
)
 
(184,796
)
Total Bristow Group stockholders’ investment
 
1,531,890

 
1,611,530

Noncontrolling interests
 
8,006

 
7,256

Total stockholders’ investment
 
1,539,896

 
1,618,786

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ investment
 
$
3,352,089

 
$
3,230,720

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
  
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(43,741
)
 
$
72,899

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
106,853

 
77,164

Deferred income taxes
 
(37,628
)
 
(7,875
)
Write-off of deferred financing fees
 
—

 
660

Discount amortization on long-term debt
 
973

 
3,212

Loss on disposal of assets
 
23,856

 
25,594

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
(3,921
)
Loss on impairment
 
27,713

 
7,167

Stock-based compensation
 
16,641

 
13,651

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates less than dividends received
 
2,227

 
4,196

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
 
(44
)
 
(1,642
)
Increase (decrease) in cash resulting from changes in:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
31,858

 
(11,350
)
Inventories
 
(5,555
)
 
(15,578
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(2,645
)
 
(13,354
)
Accounts payable
 
(2,527
)
 
19,353

Accrued liabilities
 
(46,289
)
 
4,547

Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
(16,008
)
 
(12,313
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
55,684

 
162,410

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(343,365
)
 
(499,285
)
Proceeds from asset dispositions
 
19,152

 
404,361

Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
4,185

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(324,213
)
 
(90,739
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
 
910,421

 
347,860

Repayment of debt
 
(567,121
)
 
(373,169
)
Partial prepayment of put/call obligation
 
(42
)
 
(46
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest
 
(7,311
)
 
(3,170
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
 
(153
)
 
—

Payment of contingent consideration
 
(8,000
)
 
—

Repurchase of common stock
 
—

 
(80,831
)
Common stock dividends paid
 
(35,627
)
 
(33,935
)
Issuance of common stock
 
—

 
2,217

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
 
44

 
1,642

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
292,211

 
(139,432
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
4,080

 
(15,214
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
27,762

 
(82,975
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
104,146

 
204,341

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
131,908

 
$
121,366

Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
36,453

 
$
36,268

Income taxes
 
$
21,073

 
$
28,902

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Deferred sale leaseback advance
 
$
18,285

 
$
69,680

Completion of deferred sale leaseback
 
$
(74,480
)
 
$
(183,688
)
Accrued proceeds on insurance claim
 
$
—

 
$
7,604

Aircraft purchased with short-term borrowings
 
$
14,794

 
$
—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
 
 
Total Bristow Group Stockholders’ Investment
 
 
 
 
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
 
Common
Stock
 
Common
Stock
(Shares)
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Stockholders’
Investment
March 31, 2015
$
26,223

 
$
376

 
34,838,374

 
$
781,837

 
$
1,284,442

 
$
(270,329
)
 
$
(184,796
)
 
$
7,256

 
$
1,618,786

Issuance of common stock
—

 
1

 
106,558

 
14,683

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14,684

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests
(5,467
)
 
—

 
—

 
(1,844
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,844
)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(42
)
 
(42
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(153
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(153
)
Common stock dividends ($1.02 per share)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,627
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,627
)
Currency translation adjustments
(426
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
392

 
392

Net income (loss)
3,046

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(47,187
)
 
—

 
—

 
400

 
(46,787
)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
1,498

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
Other comprehensive income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(8,015
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8,015
)
December 31, 2015
$
24,874

 
$
377

 
34,944,932

 
$
794,676

 
$
1,199,977

 
$
(278,344
)
 
$
(184,796
)
 
$
8,006

 
$
1,539,896


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


5
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Note 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION, CONSOLIDATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bristow Group Inc. and its consolidated entities (“Bristow Group”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 is referred to as “fiscal year 2016”. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the information contained in the following notes to condensed consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in our fiscal year 2015 Annual Report (the “fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements”). Operating results for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2015, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Certain reclassifications to prior period information have been made to conform to the presentation of the current period information. These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.



6
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Foreign Currency
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, our primary foreign currency exposure was to the British pound sterling, the euro, the Australian dollar, the Norwegian kroner and the Nigerian naira. The value of these currencies has fluctuated relative to the U.S. dollar as indicated in the following table:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
One British pound sterling into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
1.55

 
1.62

 
1.59

 
1.72

 
 
Average
 
1.52

 
1.58

 
1.53

 
1.64

 
 
Low
 
1.47

 
1.55

 
1.46

 
1.55

 
 
At period-end
 
1.47

 
1.56

 
1.47

 
1.56

 
 
One euro into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
1.14

 
1.28

 
1.16

 
1.39

 
 
Average
 
1.10

 
1.25

 
1.10

 
1.31

 
 
Low
 
1.06

 
1.21

 
1.06

 
1.21

 
 
At period-end
 
1.09

 
1.21

 
1.09

 
1.21

 
 
One Australian dollar into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
0.74

 
0.89

 
0.81

 
0.95

 
 
Average
 
0.72

 
0.85

 
0.74

 
0.90

 
 
Low
 
0.70

 
0.81

 
0.69

 
0.81

 
 
At period-end
 
0.73

 
0.82

 
0.73

 
0.82

 
 
One Norwegian kroner into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
0.1240

 
0.1554

 
0.1367

 
0.1698

 
 
Average
 
0.1174

 
0.1458

 
0.1227

 
0.1577

 
 
Low
 
0.1130

 
0.1336

 
0.1130

 
0.1336

 
 
At period-end
 
0.1130

 
0.1345

 
0.1130

 
0.1345

 
 
One Nigerian naira into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
0.0050

 
0.0062

 
0.0050

 
0.0063

 
 
Average
 
0.0050

 
0.0059

 
0.0050

 
0.0061

 
 
Low
 
0.0050

 
0.0054

 
0.0050

 
0.0054

 
 
At period-end
 
0.0050

 
0.0055

 
0.0050

 
0.0055

 
______
Source: Bank of England, FactSet and Oanda.com
Other income (expense), net, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations includes foreign currency transaction gains of $0.6 million and foreign currency transaction losses of $4.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and foreign currency transaction losses of $7.0 million and $6.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

7
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, are also affected by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the reported results of our unconsolidated affiliates. During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, increased by $1.0 million and decreased by $7.7 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased by $17.2 million and $16.1 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the earnings of our unconsolidated affiliates, primarily the impact of changes in the Brazilian real to U.S. dollar exchange rate on earnings for our affiliate in Brazil. The value of the Brazilian real has fluctuated relative to the U.S. dollar as indicated in the following table:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
One Brazilian real into U.S. dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
0.2694

 
0.4204

 
0.3437

 
0.4572

 
 
Average
 
0.2602

 
0.3944

 
0.2899

 
0.4284

 
 
Low
 
0.2479

 
0.3673

 
0.2378

 
0.3673

 
 
At period-end
 
0.2528

 
0.3731

 
0.2528

 
0.3731

 
______
Source: FactSet and Oanda.com
We estimate that the fluctuation of currencies versus the same period in the prior fiscal year had the following effect on our financial condition and results of operations (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31, 2015
 
 
Revenue
 
$
(14,920
)
 
$
(83,892
)
 
 
Operating expense
 
16,971

 
87,393

 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
8,694

 
(1,146
)
 
 
Non-operating expense
 
5,194

 
(262
)
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
 
15,939

 
2,093

 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(2,200
)
 
(349
)
 
 
Net income
 
13,739

 
1,744

 
 
Cumulative translation adjustment
 
(4,244
)
 
(8,015
)
 
 
Total stockholders’ investment
 
$
9,495

 
$
(6,271
)
 
Revenue Recognition
In general, we recognize revenue when it is both realized or realizable and earned. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when the following conditions exist: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, generally a client contract exists; the services or products have been performed or delivered to the client; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collection has occurred or is probable. More specifically, revenue from helicopter services is recognized based on contractual rates as the related services are performed. The charges under these contracts are generally based on a two-tier rate structure consisting of a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. These contracts are for varying periods and generally permit the client to cancel the contract before the end of the term. We also provide services to clients on an “ad hoc” basis, which usually entails a shorter contract notice period and duration. The charges for ad hoc services are based on an hourly rate or a daily or monthly fixed fee plus additional fees for each hour flown. In order to offset potential increases in operating costs, our long-term contracts may provide for periodic increases in the contractual rates charged for our services. We recognize the impact of these rate increases when the criteria outlined above have been met. This generally includes written recognition from our clients that they are in agreement with the amount of the rate escalation. Cost reimbursements from clients are recorded as reimbursable revenue with the related reimbursed costs recorded as reimbursable expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

8
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Bristow Academy, our helicopter training unit, primarily earns revenue from military training, flight training provided to individual students and ground school courses. We recognize revenue from these sources using the same revenue recognition principles described above as services are provided. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when the following conditions exist: there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement (generally a contract exists); the services have been performed or delivered to the client or student; the sales price is fixed and determinable; and collection has occurred or is probable.
Eastern Airways International Limited (“Eastern Airways”) and Capiteq Limited, operating under the name Airnorth, primarily earn revenue through charter and scheduled airline services and provision of airport services (Eastern Airways only). Both chartered and scheduled revenue is recognized net of passenger taxes and discounts. Revenue is recognized at the earlier of the period in which the service is provided or the period in which the right to travel expires, which is determined by the terms and conditions of the ticket. Ticket sales are recorded within deferred revenue in accordance with the above policy. Airport services revenue is recognized when earned.
Interest Expense, Net
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, interest expense, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Interest income
$
181

 
$
118

 
$
619

 
$
740

 
 
Interest expense
(9,717
)
 
(7,094
)
 
(25,003
)
 
(22,415
)
 
 
Interest expense, net
$
(9,536
)
 
$
(6,976
)
 
$
(24,384
)
 
$
(21,675
)
 
Interest expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively, includes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $0.2 million and $0.7 million related to the repurchase of $17.2 million and $48.5 million principal amount of our 6 ¼% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “6 ¼% Senior Notes”). For further details on the repurchase of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes, see Note 5 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements.
Gain on Sale of Unconsolidated Affiliates
On November 21, 2014, we sold our 50% interest in the Helideck Certification Agency (“HCA”) for £2.7 million, or approximately $4.2 million. We recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate of $3.9 million during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 on our condensed consolidated statements of income.
Other Income (Expense), Net
In addition to foreign currency transaction gains (losses) discussed above, other income (expense), net includes expense of $0.7 million and $2.6 million related to premiums paid for the repurchase of a portion of the 6 ¼% Senior Notes during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively.
Accretion of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests of zero and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, respectively, relates to put arrangements whereby the noncontrolling interest holders may require us to redeem the remaining shares of Airnorth and Eastern Airways at a formula-based amount that is not considered fair value (the “redemption amount”). Redeemable noncontrolling interest is adjusted each period for comprehensive income, dividends attributable to the noncontrolling interest and changes in ownership interest, if any, such that the noncontrolling interest represents the proportionate share of Airnorth’s and Eastern Airways’ equity (the “carrying value”). Additionally, at each period end we are required to compare the redemption amount to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest and record the redeemable noncontrolling interest at the higher of the two amounts, with a corresponding charge or credit directly to retained earnings. While this charge or credit does not impact net income (loss), it does result in a reduction or increase of income (loss) available to common shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (see Note 8). In November 2015, we purchased the remaining 15% of the outstanding shares of Airnorth for A$7.3 million ($5.3 million) resulting in a reduction of $5.5 million to redeemable noncontrolling interests and an increase of $0.2 million to additional paid-in capital on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

9
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Accounts Receivable
As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, the allowance for doubtful accounts for non-affiliates was $6.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. There were no allowances for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable due from affiliates as of December 31 and March 31, 2015. The increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts for non-affiliates related to $5.7 million due from two clients in Nigeria and two clients in Australia where we no longer believed collection was probable as of December 31, 2015.
Inventories
As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, inventories were net of allowances of $36.8 million and $45.4 million, respectively. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we decreased our inventory allowance by $14.0 million due to the sale of inventory and increased our inventory allowance by $5.4 million as a result of our review of excess inventory on aircraft model types we plan to exit by the end of the fiscal year. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, we increased our inventory allowance by $3.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively, related to excess inventory identified for an older large aircraft model we planned to remove from our operational fleet. The inventory allowance is reduced by sales of inventory and adjusted for foreign exchange effects.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, prepaid expenses and other current assets included the short-term portion of contract acquisition and pre-operating costs totaling $12.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively, related to the search and rescue (“SAR”) contracts in the U.K. and a client contract in Norway, which are recoverable under the contracts and will be expensed over the terms of the contracts. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, we have expensed $2.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively, due to the start-up of some of these contracts.
Goodwill
Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but is assessed for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists. Goodwill related to our regions were as follows (in thousands):
 
Europe
 
Bristow Academy
 
Australia
 
West Africa
 
Total
March 31, 2015
$
35,701

 
$
10,190

 
$
23,791

 
$
5,946

 
$
75,628

Impairments (1)
(12,051
)
 
(10,223
)
 
—

 
—

 
(22,274
)
Foreign currency translation
278

 
33

 
(1,134
)
 
(1
)
 
(824
)
December 31, 2015
$
23,928

 
$
—

 
$
22,657

 
$
5,945

 
$
52,530

 ______ 
(1) 
During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we recorded impairments in some of our reporting units. For further details on goodwill impairments, see Loss on Impairment discussed below.

10
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Intangible assets by type were as follows (in thousands):
 
Client contracts
 
Client relationships
 
Trade name and trademarks
 
Internally developed software
 
Licenses
 
Total
March 31, 2015
$
8,165

 
$
13,056

 
$
5,148

 
$
1,179

 
$
758

 
$
28,306

Foreign currency translation
(36
)
 
(214
)
 
(48
)
 
(7
)
 
(22
)
 
(327
)
December 31, 2015
$
8,129

 
$
12,842

 
$
5,100

 
$
1,172

 
$
736

 
$
27,979

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
$
(7,399
)
 
$
(1,583
)
 
$
(323
)
 
$
(244
)
 
$
(542
)
 
$
(10,091
)
Amortization expense
(610
)
 
(658
)
 
(241
)
 
(182
)
 
(39
)
 
(1,730
)
December 31, 2015
$
(8,009
)
 
$
(2,241
)
 
$
(564
)
 
$
(426
)
 
$
(581
)
 
$
(11,821
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average remaining contractual life, in years
0.1

 
12.1

 
14.1

 
3.1

 
3.0

 
7.0

Future amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years ending March 31 are as follows (in thousands):
 
2016
$
374

 
 
2017
1,410

 
 
2018
1,533

 
 
2019
1,173

 
 
2020
971

 
 
Thereafter
10,697

 
 
 
$
16,158

 
The Bristow Norway and Eastern Airways acquisitions, included in our Europe Caspian regions, resulted in intangible assets for client contracts, client relationships, trade names and trademarks, internally developed software and licenses. The Airnorth acquisition, included in our Asia Pacific region, resulted in intangible assets for client contracts, client relationships and trade name and trademarks.
Other Assets
As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, other assets included the long-term portion of contract acquisition and pre-operating costs totaling $55.3 million and $42.4 million, respectively, related to the SAR contracts in the U.K. and a client contract in Norway, which are recoverable under the contract and will be expensed over the terms of the contracts.

11
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Property and Equipment and Assets Held for Sale

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we made capital expenditures as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015

2014
 
2015

2014
 
Number of aircraft delivered:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium
—

 
2

 
1

 
5

 
Large
8

 
4

 
10

 
12

 
Total aircraft
8

 
6

 
11

 
17

 
Capital expenditures (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft and related equipment (1)
$
165,394

 
$
165,269

 
$
276,547

 
$
402,753

 
Other
30,982

 
31,897

 
66,818

 
96,532

 
Total capital expenditures
$
196,376

 
$
197,166

 
$
343,365

 
$
499,285

_____________ 
(1) 
During the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we spent $136.8 million and $159.2 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we spent $201.1 million and $383.4 million, respectively, on aircraft progress payments to be delivered in future periods.

The following table presents details on the aircraft sold or disposed of and impairments on assets held for sale during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except for number of aircraft)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of aircraft sold or disposed of (1)
3

 
3

 
16

 
26

 
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets (1)
$
3,045

 
$
6,717

 
$
19,152

 
$
404,361

 
Gain (loss) from sale or disposal of assets
$
(2,154
)
 
$
(717
)
 
$
(1,825
)
 
$
3,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of aircraft impaired
—

 
12

 
11

 
18

 
Impairment charges on aircraft held for sale
$
—

 
$
25,614

 
$
22,031

 
$
28,751

_____________ 
(1) 
During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, 14 of these aircraft were leased back, and we received $380.7 million in proceeds for these aircraft. We did not enter into any sale leaseback transactions during the nine months ended December 31, 2015.
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, we recorded accelerated depreciation of $5.0 million and $22.4 million, respectively, on 16 medium, four large and one fixed wing aircraft operating in our Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific regions as management made the decision to exit these model types earlier than originally anticipated. In certain instances the salvage values of aircraft were also adjusted to reflect our expectation of sales values in the current market. We expect to record an additional $3.1 million in depreciation expense over the remainder of fiscal year 2016 relating to changes in fleet exit timing and changes in expected salvage values.
As of December 31, 2015, we noted that our equity market capitalization was below our carrying value triggering a review of our property and equipment for potential impairment. In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 360-10-35, we estimated future cash flows to test the recoverability of our property and equipment, which largely consists of our held for use aircraft. The determination of estimated future cash flows required us to use significant unobservable inputs, representative of a Level 3 fair value measurement, including assumptions related to projected demand for services and rates. We determined that the estimated future cash flows were above the carrying value as of December 31, 2015 and no impairment was recorded. Future declines in operating performance or anticipated business outlook may reduce our estimated fair value and result in impairment.


12
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Loss on Impairment
Goodwill — Our business consists of one segment: Helicopter Services, with five reporting units within that segment: Europe Caspian region, Africa region, Americas region, Asia Pacific region, and Corporate and other. For the purposes of performing an analysis of goodwill, we evaluate whether there are reporting units below the reporting units we disclose for segment reporting purposes by assessing whether our regional management typically reviews results and whether discrete financial information exists at a lower level. Based on this review, we performed our analysis of goodwill for the following reporting units as of September 30, 2015, with goodwill as reflected below prior to any impairment recorded:    
•The Africa region, which included $5.9 million of goodwill;
•Bristow Academy, within Corporate and other, which included $10.2 million of goodwill;
•Bristow Norway, within our Europe Caspian region, which included $12.1 million of goodwill;
•
Eastern Airways, within our Europe Caspian region, which included $24.6 million of goodwill; and
•Airnorth, within our Asia Pacific region, which included $21.9 million of goodwill.
We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we noted rapid and significant declines in the market value of our stock and an overall reduction in expected operating results resulting from the downturn in the oil and gas market driven by reduced crude oil prices. The impact on our results is reflected in an increase in the number of idle aircraft and reduction in forecasted results across our global oil and gas helicopter operations, and is reflected in reduced operating revenue for our business for the three months ended September 30, 2015, when excluding growth from the U.K. SAR contract and the addition of Airnorth. The reduction in demand for aircraft in the offshore energy market led to further impairment of older model aircraft as discussed under Property and Equipment and Assets Held for Sale above. Based on these factors, we concluded that the fair value of our goodwill could have fallen below its carrying value and that an interim period analysis of goodwill was required.
We performed the interim impairment test of goodwill across the reporting units discussed above, noting that the estimated fair values of the Africa region, Eastern Airways and Airnorth exceeded the carrying values. The estimated fair values of Bristow Academy and Bristow Norway were below their carrying values, resulting in an impairment of all of the goodwill for those reporting units and a loss of $22.3 million reflected in our results for the nine months ended December 31, 2015. We updated this impairment analysis as of December 31, 2015 for the Africa region, Eastern Airways and Airnorth, noting that the estimated fair values of these reporting units still exceeded the carrying values. The estimated fair value of our Africa region was approximately 8% more than the carrying value for the Africa region.
We estimated the implied fair value of the reporting units using a variety of valuation methods, including the income and market approaches. The determination of estimated fair value required us to use significant unobservable inputs, representative of a Level 3 fair value measurement, including assumptions related to the future performance of the reporting units, such as projected demand for our services and rates.
The income approach was based on a discounted cash flow model, which utilized present values of cash flows to estimate fair value. The future cash flows were projected based on our estimates of future rates for our services, utilization, operating costs, capital requirements, growth rates and terminal values. Forecasted rates and utilization take into account current market conditions and our anticipated business outlook, both of which have been impacted by the adverse changes in the offshore energy business environment from the current downturn. Operating costs were forecasted using a combination of our historical average operating costs and expected future costs, including ongoing cost reduction initiatives. Capital requirements in the discounted cash flow model were based on management's estimates of future capital costs driven by expected market demand in future periods. The estimated capital requirements included cash outflows for new aircraft, infrastructure and improvements. A terminal period was used to reflect our estimate of stable, perpetual growth. The future cash flows were discounted using a market-participant risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) for each of the reporting units and in total. These assumptions were derived from unobservable inputs and reflect management's judgments and assumptions.
The market approach was based upon the application of price-to-earnings multiples to management's estimates of future earnings adjusted for a control premium. Management's earnings estimates were derived from unobservable inputs that require significant estimates, judgments and assumptions as described in the income approach.

13
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

For purposes of the goodwill impairment test, we calculated the reporting units’ estimated fair values as the average of the values calculated under the income approach and the market approach.
We evaluated the estimated fair value of our reporting units compared to our market capitalization. The aggregate fair values of our reporting units exceeded our market capitalization, and we believe the resulting implied control premium was reasonable based on recent market transactions within our industry or other relevant benchmark data.
The estimates used to determine the fair value of the reporting units discussed above reflect management's best estimates, and we believe they are reasonable. Future declines in the reporting units’ operating performance or our anticipated business outlook may reduce the estimated fair value of these reporting units and result in additional impairments. Factors that could have a negative impact on the fair value include, but are not limited to:
•
decreases in estimated rates and utilization due to greater-than-expected market pressures, downtime and other risks associated with offshore energy operations;
•sustained declines in our stock price;
•decreases in revenue due to our inability to attract and retain skilled personnel;
•
changes in worldwide offshore energy transportation supply and demand, competition or technology;
•
changes in future levels of drilling activity and expenditures, whether as a result of global capital markets and liquidity, prices of oil and natural gas or otherwise, which may cause our clients to further reduce offshore production and drilling activities;
•
possible cancellation or suspension of contracts as a result of mechanical difficulties, performance or other reasons;
•
inability to manage cost during the current downturn and in future periods;
•
increases in the market-participant risk-adjusted WACC; and
•declines in anticipated growth rates.
Adverse changes in one or more of these factors could result in additional goodwill impairments in future periods.
Other impairment charges — Additionally, included in loss on impairment are impairment charges for inventory of $5.4 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and $3.8 million and $7.2 million during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively. For further details on inventory impairments, see Inventory discussed above.
Deferred Sale Leaseback Advance
As of March 31, 2015, we had a total deferred sale leaseback advance asset of $55.9 million, which was included in deferred sale leaseback advance on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. During fiscal year 2014, we received payment of approximately $106.1 million for progress payments we had made on seven aircraft under construction, and we assigned any future payments due on these construction agreements to the purchaser. As we had the obligation and intent to lease the aircraft back from the purchaser upon completion, we recorded a liability equal to the cash received and additional payments made by the purchaser totaling $147.4 million, with a corresponding increase to construction in progress. During fiscal year 2015, we took delivery and entered into leases for five of the aircraft and removed a total of $183.7 million and $182.6 million, respectively, from construction in progress and deferred sale leaseback advance on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, we took delivery and entered into leases for the remaining two aircraft and removed a total of $75.8 million and $74.3 million, respectively, from construction in progress and deferred sale leaseback advance on our consolidated balance sheet. As of June 30, 2015, the construction in progress and deferred sale leaseback advance liability related to these deferred sale leaseback transactions were removed from our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

14
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (“ASUs”). ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued accounting guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. However, in July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of the revenue recognition standard permitting public entities to apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect this standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
In August 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within a year of the date the financial statements are issued. The standard applies to all entities and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the effect this standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance which changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The guidance amends the criteria for determining which entities are considered VIEs and amends the criteria for determining if a service provider possesses a variable interest in a VIE. This pronouncement is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  A reporting entity may apply the amendments using a modified retrospective approach or a full retrospective application.  We have not yet determined the effect, if any, of the standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance relating to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The intent is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring entities to record debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, similar to debt discounts or premiums. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, we had debt issuance costs of $13.8 million and $10.0 million, respectively, which are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance but we believe the adoption of this guidance would reduce other assets and long-term debt by such amounts.
In November 2015, the FASB issued a new standard which changes how deferred taxes are classified on an entity’s balance sheet. The guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The new guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The guidance may be applied either prospectively, for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively. If applied prospectively, entities are required to include a statement that prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted. If applied retrospectively, entities are also required to include quantitative information about the effects of the change on prior periods. We have not yet adopted this accounting guidance but we believe the adoption of this guidance would reduce current assets and current liabilities and increase long-term assets and long-term liabilities by such amounts.


15
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 2 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND INVESTMENTS IN OTHER SIGNIFICANT AFFILIATES
VIEs
A Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If we determine that we have operating power and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits, we consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary, and if not, we do not consolidate.
As of December 31, 2015, we had interests in four VIEs of which we were the primary beneficiary, which are described below, and had no interests in VIEs of which we were not the primary beneficiary. See Note 3 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements for a description of other investments in significant affiliates.
Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited — We own 49% of Bristow Aviation Holdings Limited’s (“Bristow Aviation”) common stock and a significant amount of its subordinated debt. Bristow Aviation is incorporated in England and holds all of the outstanding shares in Bristow Helicopters Limited (“Bristow Helicopters”). Bristow Aviation’s subsidiaries provide helicopter services to clients primarily in the U.K, Norway, Australia, Nigeria and Trinidad. Bristow Aviation is organized with three different classes of ordinary shares having disproportionate voting rights. The Company, Caledonia Investments plc (“Caledonia”) and a European Union investor (the “E.U. Investor”) own 49%, 46% and 5%, respectively, of Bristow Aviation’s total outstanding ordinary shares, although Caledonia has voting control over the E.U. Investor’s shares.
In addition to our ownership of 49% of Bristow Aviation’s outstanding ordinary shares, in May 2004, we acquired eight million shares of deferred stock, essentially a subordinated class of stock with no voting rights, from Bristow Aviation for £1 per share ($14.4 million in total). We also have £91.0 million ($134.1 million) principal amount of subordinated unsecured loan stock (debt) of Bristow Aviation bearing interest at an annual rate of 13.5% and payable semi-annually. Payment of interest on such debt has been deferred since its incurrence in 1996. Deferred interest accrues at an annual rate of 13.5% and aggregated $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2015.
The Company, Caledonia, the E.U. Investor and Bristow Aviation have entered into a shareholder agreement respecting, among other things, the composition of the board of directors of Bristow Aviation. On matters coming before Bristow Aviation’s board, Caledonia’s representatives have a total of three votes and the two other directors have one vote each. In addition, Caledonia has the right to nominate two persons to our board of directors and to replace any such directors so nominated.
Caledonia, the Company and the E.U. Investor also have entered into a put/call agreement under which, upon giving specified prior notice, we have the right to buy all the Bristow Aviation shares held by Caledonia and the E.U. Investor, who, in turn, each have the right to require us to purchase such shares. Under current English law, we would be required, in order for Bristow Aviation to retain its operating license, to find a qualified E.U. investor to own any Bristow Aviation shares we have the right to acquire under the put/call agreement. The only restriction under the put/call agreement limiting our ability to exercise the put/call option is a requirement to consult with the Civil Aviation Authority (the “CAA”) in the U.K. regarding the suitability of the new holder of the Bristow Aviation shares. The put/call agreement does not contain any provisions should the CAA not approve the new E.U. investor. However, we would work diligently to find an E.U. investor suitable to the CAA. The amount by which we could purchase the shares of the other investors holding 51.0% of the equity of Bristow Aviation is fixed under the terms of the call option, and we have reflected this amount on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in noncontrolling interest.

16
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Furthermore, the call option provides a mechanism whereby the economic risk for the other investors is limited should the financial condition of Bristow Aviation deteriorate. The call option price is the nominal value of the ordinary shares held by the noncontrolling shareholders (£1.0 million as of December 31, 2015) plus an annual guaranteed rate of return less any prepayments of such call option price and any dividends paid on the shares concerned. We can elect to pre-pay the guaranteed return element of the call option price wholly or in part without exercising the call option. No dividends have been paid by Bristow Aviation. We have accrued the annual return due to the other shareholders at a rate of sterling LIBOR plus 3% (prior to May 2004, the rate was fixed at 12%) by recognizing noncontrolling interest expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations, with a corresponding increase in noncontrolling interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Prepayments of the guaranteed return element of the call option are reflected as a reduction in noncontrolling interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The other investors have an option to put their shares in Bristow Aviation to us. The put option price is calculated in the same way as the call option price except that the guaranteed rate for the period to April 2004 was 10% per annum. If the put option is exercised, any pre-payments of the call option price are set off against the put option price.
Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries are exposed to similar operational risks and are therefore monitored and evaluated on a similar basis by management. Accordingly, the financial information reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations for Bristow Aviation and subsidiaries is presented in the aggregate, including intercompany amounts with other consolidated entities, as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
December 31, 
 2015
 
March 31,  
 2015
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
126,634

 
$
91,190

 
 
Accounts receivable
 
559,058

 
521,989

 
 
Inventories
 
104,360

 
100,065

 
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
57,498

 
42,659

 
 
Total current assets
 
847,550

 
755,903

 
 
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
 
350

 
64

 
 
Property and equipment, net
 
252,813

 
243,357

 
 
Goodwill
 
46,584

 
61,242

 
 
Other assets
 
98,554

 
78,637

 
 
Total assets
 
$
1,245,851

 
$
1,139,203

 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
575,301

 
$
379,357

 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
144,252

 
154,306

 
 
Accrued interest
 
1,646,001

 
1,489,369

 
 
Deferred taxes
 
—

 
1,128

 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
7,949

 
9,643

 
 
Total current liabilities
 
2,373,503

 
2,033,803

 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
161,662

 
168,245

 
 
Accrued pension liabilities
 
82,620

 
99,576

 
 
Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
9,162

 
11,948

 
 
Deferred taxes
 
14,119

 
14,457

 
 
Temporary equity
 
24,874

 
26,223

 
 
Total liabilities
 
$
2,665,940

 
$
2,354,252

 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Revenue
 
$
355,036

 
$
371,974

 
$
1,119,169

 
$
1,147,406

 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
(4,906
)
 
(13,633
)
 
(32,479
)
 
10,085

 
 
Net loss
 
(66,425
)
 
(58,582
)
 
(210,140
)
 
(143,930
)
 

17
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. — Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) is a joint venture in Nigeria in which Bristow Helicopters owned a 48% interest, a Nigerian company owned 100% by Nigerian employees owned a 50% interest and an employee trust fund owned the remaining 2% interest as of December 31, 2015. BHNL provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.
In order to be able to bid competitively for our services in the Nigerian market, we were required to identify local citizens to participate in the ownership of entities domiciled in the region. However, these owners do not have extensive knowledge of the aviation industry and have historically deferred to our expertise in the overall management and day-to-day operation of BHNL (including the establishment of operating and capital budgets and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of BHNL’s operations). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to BHNL and will need to continue to do so unless and until BHNL acquires sufficient equity to permit itself to finance its activities without that additional support from us. As we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of BHNL and hold a variable interest in the entity in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate BHNL as the primary beneficiary. The employee-owned Nigerian entity referenced above purchased a 19% interest in BHNL in December 2013 with proceeds from a loan received from BGI Aviation Technical Services Nigeria Limited (“BATS”). In July 2014, the employee-owned Nigerian entity purchased an additional 29% interest with proceeds from a loan received from Bristow Helicopters (International) Limited (“BHIL”). In April 2015, Bristow Helicopters purchased an additional 8% interest in BHNL and the employee-owned Nigerian entity purchased an additional 2% interest with proceeds from a loan received from BHIL. Both BATS and BHIL are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bristow Aviation. The employee-owned Nigerian entity is also a VIE that we consolidate as the primary beneficiary and we eliminate the loans discussed above in consolidation.
BHNL is an indirect subsidiary of Bristow Aviation; therefore, financial information for this entity is included within the amounts for Bristow Aviation and its subsidiaries presented above.
Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. — Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”) is a joint venture in Nigeria with local partners, in which we own a 50.17% interest. PAAN provides helicopter services to clients in Nigeria.

The activities that most significantly impact PAAN’s economic performance relate to the day-to-day operation of PAAN, setting the operating and capital budgets, and strategic decisions regarding the potential expansion of PAAN’s operations. Throughout the history of PAAN, our representation on the board and our secondment to PAAN of its managing director has enabled us to direct the key operational decisions of PAAN (without objection from the other board members). We have also historically provided subordinated financial support to PAAN. As we have the power to direct the most significant activities affecting the economic performance and ongoing success of PAAN and hold a variable interest in the form of our equity investment and working capital infusions, we consolidate PAAN as the primary beneficiary. However, as long as we own a majority interest in PAAN, the separate presentation of financial information in a tabular format for PAAN is not required.

Investments in Other Significant Affiliates
During the three months ended December 31, 2015, Petrobras cancelled its new tenders for multiple medium and large aircraft that were expected to commence in calendar year 2016 resulting in a significant downward adjustment in the 2016 calendar year plan for our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil, Líder Táxi Aéreo S.A. (“Líder”), and triggered our review of this investment for potential impairment as of December 31, 2015.
We estimated the implied fair value of our investment in Líder using a variety of valuation methods, including the income and market approaches. The determination of estimated fair value required us to use significant unobservable inputs, representative of a Level 3 fair value measurement, including assumptions related to the future performance of Líder, such as projected demand for services and rates. We determined that the fair value of our investment in Líder was above the carrying value as of December 31, 2015 and no impairment was recorded. Future declines in operating performance or anticipated business outlook may reduce our estimated fair value and result in impairment.

18
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 3 — DEBT
Debt as of December 31 and March 31, 2015 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
December 31, 
 2015
 
March 31,  
 2015
 
 
6¼% Senior Notes due 2022
 
$
401,535

 
$
401,535

 
 
Term Loan
 
339,138

 
222,179

 
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
232,050

 
83,800

 
 
Term Loan Credit Facility
 
200,000

 
—

 
 
Airnorth debt
 
20,273

 
23,119

 
 
Eastern Airways debt
 
15,213

 
19,680

 
 
Other debt
 
14,794

 
—

 
 
3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038, including zero and $0.9 million of unamortized discount, respectively
 
—

 
114,109

 
 
Total debt
 
1,223,003

 
864,422

 
 
Less short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
 
(47,243
)
 
(18,730
)
 
 
Total long-term debt
 
$
1,175,760

 
$
845,692

 
Term Loan Credit Facility — On November 5, 2015, we entered into a senior secured term loan credit agreement (“Term Loan Credit Agreement”) which provides for $200 million of term loan commitments (the “Term Loan Credit Facility”). Proceeds from the Term Loan Credit Facility were initially used to repay loans outstanding under our $400 million Revolving Credit Facility as discussed below. The additional liquidity was used for capital expenditures, working capital needs and general corporate purposes. The maturity date of the Term Loan Credit Facility is November 5, 2017 and the interest rate at closing was LIBOR plus a borrowing margin of 2.0%.
The Term Loan Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”) and secured by the U.S. cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories, non-aircraft equipment, prepaid expenses and other current assets, intangible assets and intercompany promissory notes held by the Company and the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and 100% and 65% of the capital stock of certain of our principal domestic and foreign subsidiaries, respectively. In addition, the Term Loan Credit Facility includes customary covenants, including certain financial covenants and restrictions on our ability to enter into certain transactions, including those that could result in the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; the making of loans, guarantees or investments; sale of assets; payments of dividends or repurchases of our capital stock; and entering into transactions with affiliates.
3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 — During June 2015, we repurchased $113.1 million of the $115.0 million principal amount of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 (the “3% Convertible Senior Notes”) from holders that exercised their right to require us to repurchase their notes on the first put date of June 15, 2015. We funded this repurchase using borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility. On July 13, 2015, we issued a notice to the holders of the remaining $1.9 million principal amount of notes that we were redeeming the remaining notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date of August 14, 2015. The notes were convertible at any time before the close of business on August 13, 2015, the business day immediately preceding the redemption date at a rate of 13.8373 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes. However, prior to the redemption of the remaining notes that occurred on August 14, 2015, the conversion value of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes did not exceed the principal balance so we satisfied our conversion obligation by delivering cash of $1.9 million.
The debt discount was amortized into interest expense over the expected remaining life of the 3% Convertible Senior Notes to June 2015 (the first put date) using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 was 6.9%. Interest expense related to our 3% Convertible Senior Notes for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Contractual coupon interest
 
$
—

 
$
862

 
$
725

 
$
2,588

 
 
Amortization of debt discount
 
—

 
1,054

 
891

 
3,121

 
 
Total interest expense
 
$
—

 
$
1,916

 
$
1,616

 
$
5,709

 

19
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility — On April 17, 2015, we entered into the fifth amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”). The Fifth Amendment, among other things (a) increased the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility from $350 million to $400 million, (b) increased the Term Loan borrowings from approximately $222.6 million to $350.0 million and (c) permitted us to incur additional credit facility debt to refinance the existing 3% Convertible Senior Notes. On September 29, 2015, we entered into the sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “Sixth Amendment”). The Sixth Amendment, among other things amended the maximum leverage ratio from 4.00:1.00 for all periods to 4.75:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending from the date of the Sixth Amendment through December 31, 2016, to 4.50:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and to 4.25:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2018 through June 30, 2018, after which period the maximum leverage ratio will revert to 4.00:1.00 through maturity, (b) amended the interest coverage ratio from 2.75:1.00 for all periods to 2.00:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending from the date of the Sixth Amendment through December 31, 2016, to 2.25:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and to 2.50:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2018 through June 30, 2018, after which period the minimum interest coverage ratio will revert to 2.75:1.00 through maturity and (c) increased the applicable margin on loans and the commitment fee on unused amounts of revolving commitments if the leverage ratio is greater than 4.25:1.00. Simultaneously with the closing of the Term Loan Credit Facility, we entered into the seventh amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (“Seventh Amendment”) which permits, among other things: (i) entry into the Term Loan Credit Facility and the incurrence of indebtedness thereunder and (ii) the granting of liens by the Company and the Guarantor Subsidiaries in favor of the lenders under the Term Loan Credit Facility on a pari passu secured basis with the liens granted in favor of the lenders under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement. For further details on the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, see Note 5 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we had borrowings of $565.7 million and made payments of $417.4 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. Additionally, we paid $10.5 million to reduce our borrowings under the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2015, we had $0.6 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
The oil and gas business environment experienced a downturn during fiscal years 2015 and 2016, which is expected to continue into fiscal year 2017, due to significant declines in crude oil prices driven by increased global supply and forecasts of reduced demand for crude oil resulting from weaker global economic growth in many regions of the world. The oil price decline has negatively impacted the cash flow of our clients and has resulted in their implementation of measures to reduce operational and capital costs in calendar year 2015 compared to 2014 levels, negatively impacting activity during fiscal years 2015 and 2016, which is expected to continue into fiscal year 2017. We continue to expect this “lower for longer” oil price environment to persist through calendar year 2017 with significant uncertainty thereafter on when a recovery will occur. We continue to seek ways to operate more efficiently and work with our clients to improve the efficiency of their operations within our “Operational Excellence” strategy. We are implementing restructuring measures to lower our costs with ongoing cost reduction efforts and cash savings or capital deferral efforts in fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
Considering the current oil and gas business environment and market outlook, management expects that the Company will continue to be in compliance with its financial covenants in its senior secured credit agreements; however, such expectations are based on various assumptions about our business including the impact of crude oil prices and other factors beyond our control and our ongoing and planned cost reduction efforts and cash savings or capital deferral efforts in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In the event the Company were not in compliance with the financial covenants in its senior secured credit agreements, there can be no assurance that the lenders will consent to an amendment or provide a waiver, or that they will do so on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us, which may have an adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, our lenders may require additional concessions from us before consenting to any amendment or waiver. Such noncompliance of the financial covenants would constitute a default under the senior secured credit agreements, and if we were unable to obtain an amendment or waiver, such default would also trigger cross default provisions in the Company’s other debt agreements.
Other Debt — Other debt includes a borrowing for an aircraft purchase at an interest rate of 2.5% with the amount due in December 2016.

20
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 4 — FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
Assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are categorized into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement, as follows:
•
Level 1 – observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
•
Level 2 – inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets which are not active; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•
Level 3 – unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions incorporated in valuation techniques used to determine fair value. These assumptions are required to be consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available.
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
The majority of our non-financial assets, which include inventories, property and equipment, assets held for sale, goodwill and other intangible assets, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain triggering events occur such that a non-financial asset is required to be evaluated for impairment and deemed to be impaired, the impaired non-financial asset is recorded at its fair value.
The following table summarizes the assets as of December 31, 2015, valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in thousands): 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
December 31,
2015
 
Total
Loss for the
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2015
 
Total
Loss for the
Nine Months
Ended
December 31,
2015
Inventories
 
$
—

 
$
8,871

 
$
—

 
$
8,871

 
$
—

 
$
(5,439
)
Assets held for sale
 
—

 
52,916

 
—

 
52,916

 
—

 
(22,031
)
Goodwill
 
—

 
—

 
52,530

 
52,530

 
—

 
(22,274
)
Total assets
 
$
—

 
$
61,787

 
$
52,530

 
$
114,317

 
$
—

 
$
(49,744
)
The following table summarizes the assets as of December 31, 2014, valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in thousands): 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
December 31,
2014
 
Total
Loss for the
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2014
 
Total
Loss for the
Nine Months
Ended
December 31,
2014
Inventories
 
$
—

 
$
4,588

 
$
—

 
$
4,588

 
$
(3,805
)
 
$
(7,167
)
Assets held for sale
 
—

 
15,313

 
—

 
15,313

 
(25,614
)
 
(28,751
)
Total assets
 
$
—

 
$
19,901

 
$
—

 
$
19,901

 
$
(29,419
)
 
$
(35,918
)
The fair value of inventories using Level 2 inputs is determined by evaluating the current economic conditions for sale and disposal of spare parts, which includes estimates as to the recoverability of the carrying value of the parts based on historical experience with sales and disposal of similar spare parts, the expected timeframe of sales or disposals, the location of the spare parts to be sold and the condition of the spare parts to be sold or otherwise disposed of.
The fair value of assets held for sale using Level 2 inputs is determined through evaluation of expected sales proceeds for aircraft. This analysis includes estimates based on historical experience with sales, recent transactions involving similar assets, quoted market prices for similar assets and condition and location of aircraft to be sold or otherwise disposed of. The loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 related to 11 aircraft held for sale and the loss for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 related to 12 and 18 aircraft held for sale, respectively.

21
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The fair value of goodwill is estimated using a variety of valuation methods, including the income and market approaches. These estimates of fair value include unobservable inputs, representative of Level 3 fair value measurement, including assumptions related to future performance, such as projected demand for our services and rates. For further details on our goodwill, see Note 1.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The following table summarizes the financial instruments we had as of December 31, 2015, valued at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
December 31,
2015
 
Balance  Sheet
Classification
Rabbi Trust investments
 
$
2,326

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,326

 
Other assets
Total assets
 
$
2,326

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,326

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Current
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
29,021

 
$
29,021

 
Contingent consideration
      Long-term
 
—

 
—

 
3,081

 
3,081

 
Other liabilities and deferred credits
Total liabilities
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
32,102

 
$
32,102

 
 
______________

(1) 
Relates to our investment in Cougar Helicopters Inc. (“Cougar”) totaling $25.3 million and the acquisition of Airnorth totaling $6.8 million. For further details on Cougar and Airnorth, see Notes 2 and 3 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the financial instruments we had as of March 31, 2015, valued at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
March 31,
2015
 
Balance  Sheet
Classification
Rabbi Trust investments
 
$
2,379

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,379

 
Other assets
Total assets
 
$
2,379

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,379

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Current
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
33,938

 
$
33,938

 
Contingent consideration
      Long-term
 
—

 
—

 
4,967

 
4,967

 
Other liabilities and deferred credits
Total liabilities
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
38,905

 
$
38,905

 
 
______________

(1) 
Relates to our investment in Cougar totaling $32.5 million and Airnorth totaling $6.4 million. For further details on Cougar and Airnorth, see Notes 2 and 3 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements.
The rabbi trust investments consist of cash and mutual funds whose fair value are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, and are designated as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. The rabbi trust holds investments related to our non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our senior executives.

22
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The following table provides a rollforward of the contingent consideration liability Level 3 fair value measurements during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
    Balance as of March 31, 2015
 
$
38,905
 
        Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 
1,197
 
Payment of Cougar second year earn-out
 
(8,000
)
    Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
32,102
 
We assess the estimated fair value of the contractual obligation to pay the contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and any changes in estimated fair value are recorded as accretion expense included in depreciation and amortization on our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Fluctuations in the fair value of contingent consideration are impacted by two unobservable inputs, management’s estimate of the probability of Cougar or Airnorth achieving certain agreed performance targets and the estimated discount rate. As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, the discount rate approximated 4% for the contingent consideration related to Cougar and 2% for the contingent consideration related to Airnorth.
Fair Value of Debt
The fair value of our debt has been estimated in accordance with the accounting standard regarding fair value. The fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices. The carrying and fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
6¼% Senior Notes
 
$
401,535

 
$
313,699

 
$
401,535

 
$
381,458

Term Loan
 
339,138

 
339,138

 
222,179

 
222,179

Revolving Credit Facility
 
232,050

 
232,050

 
83,800

 
83,800

Term Loan Credit Facility
 
200,000

 
200,000

 
—

 
—

Airnorth debt
 
20,273

 
20,273

 
23,119

 
23,119

Eastern Airways debt
 
15,213

 
15,213

 
19,680

 
19,680

3% Convertible Senior Notes
 
—

 
—

 
114,109

 
115,288

Other Debt
 
14,794

 
14,794

 
—

 
—

 
 
$
1,223,003

 
$
1,135,167

 
$
864,422

 
$
845,524

Other
The fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these items.

23
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 5 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Aircraft Purchase Contracts — As shown in the table below, we expect to make additional capital expenditures over the next five fiscal years to purchase additional aircraft. As of December 31, 2015, we had 37 aircraft on order and options to acquire an additional 16 aircraft. Although a similar number of our existing aircraft may be sold during the same period, the additional aircraft on order will provide incremental fleet capacity in terms of revenue and operating income.
 
 
Three Months Ending March 31, 2016
 
Fiscal Year Ending March 31,
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020 and thereafter
 
Total
Commitments as of December 31, 2015: (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of aircraft:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium
 
—

 
10

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
10

Large (3)
 
—

 
—

 
5

 
4

 
9

 
18

U.K. SAR
 
—

 
4

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
8

Other SAR
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
 
1

 
14

 
9

 
4

 
9

 
37

Related expenditures (in thousands) (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium and large
 
$
2,141

 
$
64,440

 
$
66,266

 
$
60,683

 
$
109,755

 
$
303,285

U.K. SAR
 
2,228

 
57,833

 
55,145

 
—

 
—

 
115,206

Other SAR
 
8,853

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,853

 
 
$
13,222

 
$
122,273

 
$
121,411

 
$
60,683

 
$
109,755

 
$
427,344

Options as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of aircraft:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medium
 
—

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
—

 
7

Large
 
—

 
—

 
7

 
2

 
—

 
9

 
 
—

 
—

 
14

 
2

 
—

 
16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related expenditures (in thousands)(4)
 
$
3,783

 
$
68,619

 
$
205,096

 
$
30,409

 
$
—

 
$
307,907

 ______ 
(1) 
Signed client contracts are currently in place that will utilize nine of these aircraft.
(2) 
In January 2016, we reached an agreement with our helicopter manufacturers to defer payment of approximately $9 million in capital expenditures out of the three months ending March 31, 2016 into future periods.
(3) 
Seventeen large aircraft on order expected to enter service between fiscal years 2018 and 2021 are subject to the successful development and certification of the aircraft.
(4) 
Includes progress payments on aircraft scheduled to be delivered in future periods.

24
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The following chart presents an analysis of our aircraft orders and options during fiscal year 2016:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2015
 
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
Orders
 
Options
 
Orders
 
Options
 
Orders
 
Options
 
Beginning of period
 
41

 
21

 
46

 
21

 
45

 
30

 
Aircraft delivered
 
(4
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
Exercised options
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3

 
(3
)
 
Expired options
 
—

 
(5
)
 
—

 
(4
)
 
—

 
(6
)
 
Reclassification (1)
 
—

 
—

 
(4
)
 
4

 
—

 
—

 
End of period
 
37

 
16

 
41

 
21

 
46

 
21

 ______ 

(1) We have determined that several aircraft were previously classified as orders in error.
We periodically purchase aircraft for which we have no orders.
Operating Leases — We have non-cancelable operating leases in connection with the lease of certain equipment, land and facilities, including leases for aircraft. Rental expense incurred under all operating leases was $52.2 million and $46.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $160.5 million and $114.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Rental expense incurred under operating leases for aircraft was $45.6 million and $40.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $139.5 million and $95.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, we sold 14 aircraft for $380.7 million and entered into 14 separate agreements to lease back these aircraft. We did not enter into any sale leaseback transactions during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015.
The aircraft leases range from base terms of up to 180 months with renewal options of up to 240 months in some cases, include purchase options upon expiration and some include early purchase options. The leases contain terms customary in transactions of this type, including provisions that allow the lessor to repossess the aircraft and require us to pay a stipulated amount if we default on our obligations under the agreements. The following is a summary of the terms related to aircraft leased under operating leases with original or remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015:
 
End of Lease Term
 
Number of Aircraft
 
Monthly Lease Payments
(in thousands)
 
Three months ending March 31, 2016 to fiscal year 2017
 
6

 
$
1,052

 
Fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2020
 
52

 
9,928

 
Fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024
 
26

 
3,382

 
 
 
84

 
$
14,362

 
Employee Agreements — Approximately 49% of our employees are represented by collective bargaining agreements and/or unions with 21% of these employees being represented by collective bargaining agreements and/or unions that have expired or will expire in one year. These agreements generally include annual escalations of up to 6%. Periodically, certain groups of our employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement consider entering into such an agreement. We also have employment agreements with members of senior management.

Separation Programs — In March 2015, we offered a voluntary separation program (“VSP”) to certain employees as part of our ongoing efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. The VSP was offered to approximately 2,888 employees and 137 employees accepted prior to the expiration of the offers, the date of which varied by region. We will recognize the remaining expense related to their termination benefits over their remaining service period, which we estimate will be $0.1 million through May 2017. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, we recognized $0.9 million in severance expense as a result of the VSP, $0.6 million of which is included in direct cost and $0.3 million in general administrative expense. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we recognized $8.2 million in severance expense as a result of the VSP, $7.3 million of which is included in direct cost and $0.9 million in general administrative expense. Additionally, beginning in March 2015, we initiated involuntary separation programs (“ISPs”) and other reductions in force in certain regions. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, we recognized $6.4 million in severance expense as a result of the ISPs and other reductions in force, $2.2 million of which is included in direct cost and $4.2 million in general administrative expense. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we

25
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

recognized $12.8 million in severance expense as a result of the ISPs and other reductions in force, $4.7 million of which is included in direct cost and $8.1 million in general administrative expense. We expect to incur approximately $0.9 million in severance expense related to this plan over the remainder of fiscal year 2016.
Environmental Contingencies — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also referred to as the EPA, has in the past notified us that we are a potential responsible party, or PRP, at three former waste disposal facilities that are on the National Priorities List of contaminated sites. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund law, persons who are identified as PRPs may be subject to strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination resulting from releases of hazardous substances at National Priorities List sites. Although we have not yet obtained a formal release of liability from the EPA with respect to any of the sites, we believe that our potential liability in connection with the sites is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Other Purchase Obligations — As of December 31, 2015, we had $398.8 million of other purchase obligations representing unfilled purchase orders for aircraft parts, commitments associated with upgrading facilities at our bases and non-cancelable power-by-the-hour maintenance commitments.
Other Matters — Although infrequent, aircraft accidents have occurred in the past, and the related losses and liability claims have been covered by insurance subject to deductible, self-insured retention and loss sensitive factors.
On August 12, 2015, a Sikorsky S-76C+ operated by us was involved in an accident in which two of our crew members and four passengers were fatally injured. There were six other passengers on board who suffered injuries in the accident. The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau issued its preliminary report related to the accident on September 21, 2015. The cause(s) of the accident remain unknown at this time. We continue to work with authorities in their investigation.
On February 3, 2016, a Sikorsky S-76C++ operated by us was involved in a controlled water landing with minor injuries reported for the nine passengers and two crew onboard the aircraft. The cause(s) of the incident remain unknown at this time. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation to determine the cause. Following standard practice and out of an abundance of caution, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (“NCAA”) has advised us to temporarily suspend operation of the 16 Sikorsky S-76C model aircraft we operate in Nigeria until they complete their review of our operations and meetings with our management. We are currently unable to predict how much of a negative impact this incident and the resulting temporary suspension of operations could have on our future business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in jurisdictions internationally where we are subject to risks that include government action to obtain additional tax revenue.  In a number of these jurisdictions, political unrest, the lack of well-developed legal systems and legislation that is not clear enough in its wording to determine the ultimate application, can make it difficult to determine whether legislation may impact our earnings until such time as a clear court or other ruling exists.  We operate in jurisdictions currently where amounts may be due to governmental bodies that we are not currently recording liabilities for as it is unclear how broad or narrow legislation may ultimately be interpreted.  We believe that payment of amounts in these instances is not probable at this time, but is reasonably possible.
A loss contingency is reasonably possible if the contingency has a more than remote but less than probable chance of occurring. Although management believes that there is no clear requirement to pay amounts at this time and that positions exist suggesting that no further amounts are currently due, it is reasonably possible that a loss could occur for which we have estimated a maximum loss at December 31, 2015 to be approximately $7 million to $10 million.
We are a defendant in certain claims and litigation arising out of operations in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, uninsured losses, if any, will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

26
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 6 — TAXES
Our effective income tax rates were 73.0% and 88.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively and (27.7)% and 20.1% for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate was impacted by the permanent reinvestment outside the U.S. of foreign earnings, upon which no U.S. tax has been provided. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to establishing valuation allowances against net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions and non-tax deductible goodwill write-offs.
The relationship between our provision for or benefit from income taxes and our pre-tax book income can vary significantly from period to period considering, among other factors, (a) the overall level of pre-tax book income, (b) changes in the blend of income that is taxed based on gross revenues or at high effective tax rates versus pre-tax book income or at low effective tax rates and (c) our geographical blend of pre-tax book income. Consequently, our income tax expense does not change proportionally with our pre-tax book income. Significant decreases in our pre-tax book income typically result in higher effective tax rates, while significant increases in pre-tax book income can lead to lower effective tax rates, subject to the other factors impacting income tax expense noted above. The increase in our effective tax rate (excluding discrete items) for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014 primarily related to a change in the blend of income taxed in relatively high taxed jurisdictions versus low taxed jurisdictions. Additionally, we increased our valuation allowance by $9.5 million and $15.0 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, respectively, which adversely impacted our effective tax rate.
As of December 31, 2015, there were $5.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an impact on our effective tax rate if recognized except for indemnities. The uncertain tax benefits relate to pre-acquisition tax matters for the February 2014 acquisition of a 60% interest in Eastern Airways and are the subject of an indemnity, for which a corresponding indemnity asset has been established in the amount of $3.6 million.
Note 7 — EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension Plans
The following table provides a detail of the components of net periodic pension cost (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Service cost for benefits earned during the period
 
$
2,349

 
$
1,897

 
$
7,121

 
$
6,230

 
 
Interest cost on pension benefit obligation
 
5,119

 
5,852

 
15,515

 
19,218

 
 
Expected return on assets
 
(6,871
)
 
(6,945
)
 
(20,826
)
 
(22,806
)
 
 
Amortization of unrecognized losses
 
2,110

 
1,493

 
6,395

 
4,902

 
 
Net periodic pension cost
 
$
2,707

 
$
2,297

 
$
8,205

 
$
7,544

 
We pre-funded our contributions of £12.5 million ($18.6 million) to our U.K. Staff pension plan for fiscal year 2016 in quarterly installments during fiscal year 2015. The current estimates of our cash contributions required for fiscal year 2017 to our U.K. pension plans and Norwegian pension plan to be paid in fiscal year 2016 are $18.1 million and $11.7 million, respectively, of which $7.3 million and $6.3 million, respectively, were paid during the nine months ended December 31, 2015.

27
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Incentive Compensation
Stock–based awards are currently made under the Bristow Group Inc. 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). A maximum of 5,400,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), are reserved. Awards granted under the 2007 Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, other stock-based awards (payable in cash or Common Stock) or performance awards, or any combination thereof, and may be made to outside directors, employees or consultants. As of December 31, 2015, 1,449,024 shares remained available for grant under the 2007 Plan.
We have a number of other incentive and stock option plans which are described in Note 9 to our fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements.
Total stock-based compensation expense, which includes stock options and restricted stock, totaled $6.3 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $16.6 million and $13.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense has been allocated to our various regions.
During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, we awarded 213,349 shares of restricted stock at an average grant date fair value of $56.76 per share. Also during the nine months ended December 31, 2015, 740,718 stock options were granted. The following table shows the assumptions used to compute the stock-based compensation expense for stock options granted during the nine months ended December 31, 2015:
 
Risk free interest rate
1.62
%
 
 
Expected life (years)
5

 
 
Volatility
28.1
%
 
 
Dividend yield
3.14
%
 
 
Weighted average exercise price of options granted
$57.52 per option

 
 
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted
$10.71 per option

 
Performance cash awards vest and pay out in cash three years after the date of grant at varying levels depending on our performance in Total Shareholder Return against a peer group of companies. These awards were designed to tie a significant portion of total compensation to performance. One of the effects of this type of compensation is that it requires liability accounting which can result in volatility in earnings. The liability recorded for these awards as of December 31 and March 31, 2015 was $17.4 million and $21.0 million, respectively, and represents an accrual based on the fair value of the awards on those dates. The decrease in the liability during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 resulted from the payout in June 2015 of the awards granted in June 2012 and the reduction in Total Shareholder Return based on declining stock price, partially offset by the value of the new awards granted in June 2015. Any changes in fair value of the awards in future quarters will increase or decrease the liability and impact results in those periods. The effect, either positive or negative, on future period earnings can vary based on factors including changes in our stock price or the stock prices of the peer group companies, as well as changes in other market and company-specific assumptions that are factored into the calculation of fair value of the performance cash awards.
Compensation expense related to the performance cash awards recorded was $2.8 million and $4.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $4.5 million and $11.3 million, during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

28
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 8 — DIVIDENDS, SHARE REPURCHASES, EARNINGS PER SHARE AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Dividends
On February 4, 2016, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per share of Common Stock, payable on March 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2016. See discussion of our dividends in Note 10 to our fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements. The declaration of future dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments.
Share Repurchases
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively, we spent $37.4 million and $80.8 million to repurchase 565,622 and 1,160,940 shares of our Common Stock. We did not repurchase any shares during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015. On November 5, 2015, our board of directors extended the date to repurchase shares of our Common Stock through November 4, 2016 with a remaining authorized repurchase amount of $150.0 million. For additional information on our repurchases of Common Stock, see “Share Repurchases” in Note 10 to the fiscal year 2015 Financial Statements. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share excludes options to purchase shares and restricted stock awards, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive, as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
1,182,210

 
537,260

 
1,131,668

 
654,630

 
 
Weighted average exercise price
 
$
63.83

 
$
73.25

 
$
63.30

 
$
68.78

 
 
Restricted stock awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
175,578

 
194,704

 
265,128

 
—

 
 
Weighted average price
 
$
58.17

 
$
67.56

 
$
41.67

 
$
—

 

29
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) available to common stockholders – basic
 
$
3,202

 
$
(968
)
 
$
(48,685
)
 
$
69,223

Interest expense on assumed conversion of 3% Convertible Senior Notes, net of tax (1)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Income (loss) available to common stockholders – diluted
 
$
3,202

 
$
(968
)
 
$
(48,685
)
 
$
69,223

Shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic
 
34,936,937

 
35,039,875

 
34,884,529

 
35,332,925

Assumed conversion of 3% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding during the period (1)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards based on the treasury stock method
 
366,301

 
—

 
—

 
324,194

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted
 
35,303,238

 
35,039,875

 
34,884,529

 
35,657,119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
1.96

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
1.94

_____________ 
(1) 
Diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 excluded a number of potentially dilutive shares determined pursuant to a specified formula initially issuable upon the conversion of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes. The 3% Convertible Senior Notes were convertible, under certain circumstances, using a net share settlement process, into a combination of cash and our Common Stock. As of December 31, 2015, we had repurchased the $115.0 million principal amount of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes. Prior to the purchase, upon conversion of a note, the holder would have received cash equal to the principal amount of the note and Common Stock to the extent of the note’s conversion value in excess of such principal amount. In addition, if at the time of conversion the applicable price of our Common Stock exceeded the base conversion price, holders would have received additional shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined pursuant to a specified formula. Such shares did not impact our calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 as our average stock price during these periods did not meet or exceed the conversion requirements.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table sets forth the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
 
Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Pension Liability Adjustments (1)
 
Total
Balance as of March 31, 2015
 
$
(39,066
)
 
$
(231,263
)
 
$
(270,329
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification
 
(8,015
)
 
—

 
(8,015
)
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
—

 
—

 
—

Net current period other comprehensive income
 
(8,015
)
 
—

 
(8,015
)
Foreign exchange rate impact
 
(2,525
)
 
2,525

 
—

Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
(49,606
)
 
$
(228,738
)
 
$
(278,344
)
_____________ 
(1) 
Reclassification of amounts related to pension liability adjustments are included as a component of net periodic pension cost.


30
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Note 9 — SEGMENT INFORMATION
We conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. Effective April 1, 2015, we reorganized our Helicopter Services global operations from five business units to four regions as follows: Europe Caspian, Africa, Americas and Asia Pacific. The Europe Caspian region comprises all our operations and affiliates in Europe and Central Asia, including Norway, the U.K. and Turkmenistan. The Africa region comprises all our operations and affiliates on the African continent, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Egypt. The Americas region comprises all our operations and affiliates in North America and South America, including Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Asia Pacific region comprises all our operations and affiliates in Australia and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Sakhalin. Amounts presented below for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 and as of March 31, 2015 have been restated to conform to current period presentation. Additionally, we operate a training unit, Bristow Academy, which is included in Corporate and other.
The following shows region information for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and as of December 31 and March 31, 2015, where applicable, reconciled to consolidated totals, and prepared on the same basis as our condensed consolidated financial statements (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Region gross revenue from external clients:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
208,852

 
$
219,453

 
$
657,299

 
$
683,100

 
 
Africa
 
63,287

 
88,754

 
207,501

 
263,890

 
 
Americas
 
70,826

 
88,832

 
219,284

 
260,653

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
73,598

 
61,813

 
232,677

 
182,244

 
 
Corporate and other
 
3,324

 
1,288

 
17,033

 
18,427

 
 
Total region gross revenue
 
$
419,887

 
$
460,140

 
$
1,333,794

 
$
1,408,314

 
 
Intra-region gross revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
302

 
$
272

 
$
1,379

 
$
7,339

 
 
Africa
 
—

 
—

 
2

 
—

 
 
Americas
 
1,406

 
(238
)
 
6,778

 
6,003

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
—

 
254

 
2

 
254

 
 
Corporate and other
 
400

 
781

 
1,844

 
2,167

 
 
Total intra-region gross revenue
 
$
2,108

 
$
1,069

 
$
10,005

 
$
15,763

 
 
Consolidated gross revenue reconciliation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
209,154

 
$
219,725

 
$
658,678

 
$
690,439

 
 
Africa
 
63,287

 
88,754

 
207,503

 
263,890

 
 
Americas
 
72,232

 
88,594

 
226,062

 
266,656

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
73,598

 
62,067

 
232,679

 
182,498

 
 
Corporate and other
 
3,724

 
2,069

 
18,877

 
20,594

 
 
Intra-region eliminations
 
(2,108
)
 
(1,069
)
 
(10,005
)
 
(15,763
)
 
 
Total consolidated gross revenue
 
$
419,887

 
$
460,140

 
$
1,333,794

 
$
1,408,314

 



31
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses – equity method investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
93

 
$
212

 
$
345

 
$
1,109

 
 
Americas
 
7,556

 
(1,213
)
 
(1,760
)
 
(733
)
 
 
Total earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses – equity method investments
 
$
7,649

 
$
(1,001
)
 
$
(1,415
)
 
$
376

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated operating income reconciliation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
26,986

 
$
28,550

 
$
56,243

 
$
111,372

 
 
Africa
 
4,377

 
26,379

 
24,903

 
63,672

 
 
Americas
 
22,797

 
19,774

 
30,283

 
59,998

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
458

 
5,264

 
4,783

 
11,055

 
 
Corporate and other
 
(30,387
)
 
(44,720
)
 
(95,278
)
 
(102,331
)
 
 
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(2,154
)
 
(26,331
)
 
(23,856
)
 
(25,594
)
 
 
Total consolidated operating income
 
$
22,077

 
$
8,916

 
$
(2,922
)
 
$
118,172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
8,912

 
$
8,257

 
$
29,889

 
$
28,613

 
 
Africa
 
8,581

 
3,687

 
24,274

 
11,586

 
 
Americas
 
7,797

 
7,872

 
28,523

 
24,014

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
4,268

 
3,764

 
17,445

 
12,644

 
 
Corporate and other
 
2,762

 
45

 
6,722

 
307

 
 
Total depreciation and amortization (1)
 
$
32,320

 
$
23,625

 
$
106,853

 
$
77,164

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 
 2015
 
March 31,  
 2015
 
 
Identifiable assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
1,150,613

 
$
968,234

 
 
Africa
 
337,265

 
431,466

 
 
Americas
 
931,709

 
926,956

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
385,857

 
366,181

 
 
Corporate and other
 
546,645

 
537,883

 
 
Total identifiable assets (2)
 
$
3,352,089

 
$
3,230,720

 
 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
350

 
$
65

 
 
Americas
 
197,347

 
210,025

 
 
Total investments in unconsolidated affiliates – equity method investments
 
$
197,697

 
$
210,090

 
_____________ 
(1) 
Includes accelerated depreciation expense of $5.0 million during the three months ended December 31, 2015 related to aircraft where management made the decision to exit certain model types earlier than originally anticipated in our Africa region. Includes accelerated depreciation expense of $22.4 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 related to aircraft where management made the decision to exit certain model types earlier than originally anticipated in our Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific regions of $4.5 million, $11.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively. For further details, see Note 1.
(2) 
Includes $336.8 million and $306.0 million of construction in progress within property and equipment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31 and March 31, 2015, respectively, which primarily represents progress payments on aircraft to be delivered in future periods.


32
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Note 10 — SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In connection with the issuance of the 6¼% Senior Notes and the 3% Convertible Senior Notes (which we repurchased during the nine months ended December 31, 2015), the Guarantor Subsidiaries fully, unconditionally, jointly and severally guaranteed the payment obligations under these notes. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, the balance sheet, statement of operations, comprehensive income and cash flow information for Bristow Group Inc. (“Parent Company Only”), for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and for our other subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantor Subsidiaries because management has determined that such information is not material to investors.
The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for condensed financial information and does not include all disclosures included in annual financial statements, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The principal eliminating entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries, intercompany balances and intercompany revenue and expense.
The allocation of the consolidated income tax provision was made using the with and without allocation method.
 

33
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue
 
$
—

 
$
55,990

 
$
363,897

 
$
—

 
$
419,887

Intercompany revenue
 
—

 
23,560

 
—

 
(23,560
)
 
—

 
 
—

 
79,550

 
363,897

 
(23,560
)
 
419,887

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost and reimbursable expense
 
1,146

 
44,053

 
266,316

 
—

 
311,515

Intercompany expenses
 
—

 
—

 
23,560

 
(23,560
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,852

 
15,621

 
14,847

 
—

 
32,320

General and administrative
 
22,175

 
5,960

 
31,378

 
—

 
59,513

 
 
25,173

 
65,634

 
336,101

 
(23,560
)
 
403,348

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on disposal of assets
 
—

 
(100
)
 
(2,054
)
 
—

 
(2,154
)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
(753
)
 
—

 
7,649

 
796

 
7,692

Operating income (loss)
 
(25,926
)
 
13,816

 
33,391

 
796

 
22,077

Interest expense, net
 
30,442

 
(1,035
)
 
(38,943
)
 
—

 
(9,536
)
Other income (expense), net
 
230

 
252

 
168

 
—

 
650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
4,746

 
13,033

 
(5,384
)
 
796

 
13,191

Allocation of consolidated income taxes
 
(1,530
)
 
(309
)
 
(7,784
)
 
—

 
(9,623
)
Net income (loss)
 
3,216

 
12,724

 
(13,168
)
 
796

 
3,568

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(14
)
 
—

 
(352
)
 
—

 
(366
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
3,202

 
$
12,724

 
$
(13,520
)
 
$
796

 
$
3,202


34
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue
 
$
—

 
$
179,416

 
$
1,154,378

 
$
—

 
$
1,333,794

Intercompany revenue
 
—

 
70,295

 
—

 
(70,295
)
 
—

 
 
—

 
249,711

 
1,154,378

 
(70,295
)
 
1,333,794

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost and reimbursable expense
 
229

 
149,010

 
853,381

 
—

 
1,002,620

Intercompany expenses
 
—

 
—

 
70,295

 
(70,295
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,136

 
47,736

 
53,981

 
—

 
106,853

General and administrative
 
62,490

 
18,752

 
93,060

 
—

 
174,302

 
 
67,855

 
215,498

 
1,070,717

 
(70,295
)
 
1,283,775

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
—

 
(2,508
)
 
(25,205
)
 
—

 
(27,713
)
Loss on disposal of assets
 
—

 
(19,738
)
 
(4,118
)
 
—

 
(23,856
)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
(90,180
)
 
—

 
(1,415
)
 
90,223

 
(1,372
)
Operating income (loss)
 
(158,035
)
 
11,967

 
52,923

 
90,223

 
(2,922
)
Interest expense, net
 
88,893

 
(3,381
)
 
(109,896
)
 
—

 
(24,384
)
Other income (expense), net
 
185

 
336

 
(7,456
)
 
—

 
(6,935
)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
(68,957
)
 
8,922

 
(64,429
)
 
90,223

 
(34,241
)
Allocation of consolidated income taxes
 
21,812

 
(2,719
)
 
(28,593
)
 
—

 
(9,500
)
Net income (loss)
 
(47,145
)
 
6,203

 
(93,022
)
 
90,223

 
(43,741
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(42
)
 
—

 
(3,404
)
 
—

 
(3,446
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
(47,187
)
 
6,203

 
(96,426
)
 
90,223

 
(47,187
)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
 
—

 
(1,498
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(47,187
)
 
$
6,203

 
$
(97,924
)
 
$
90,223

 
$
(48,685
)

35
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
  
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue
 
$
—

 
$
78,026

 
$
382,114

 
$
—

 
$
460,140

Intercompany revenue
 
840

 
21,079

 
—

 
(21,919
)
 
—

 
 
840

 
99,105

 
382,114

 
(21,919
)
 
460,140

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost and reimbursable expense
 
—

 
58,459

 
265,515

 
—

 
323,974

Intercompany expenses
 
—

 
—

 
21,919

 
(21,919
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
(24
)
 
9,637

 
14,012

 
—

 
23,625

General and administrative
 
29,395

 
8,891

 
34,245

 
—

 
72,531

 
 
29,371

 
76,987

 
335,691

 
(21,919
)
 
420,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
—

 
—

 
(3,805
)
 
—

 
(3,805
)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
 
—

 
4,878

 
(31,209
)
 
—

 
(26,331
)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
(1,733
)
 
—

 
(1,000
)
 
1,775

 
(958
)
Operating income (loss)
 
(30,264
)
 
26,996

 
10,409

 
1,775

 
8,916

Interest expense, net
 
26,048

 
(1,322
)
 
(31,702
)
 
—

 
(6,976
)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
 
—

 
—

 
3,921

 
—

 
3,921

Other income (expense), net
 
(625
)
 
(660
)
 
(3,938
)
 
—

 
(5,223
)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
(4,841
)
 
25,014

 
(21,310
)
 
1,775

 
638

Allocation of consolidated income taxes
 
3,889

 
727

 
(5,183
)
 
—

 
(567
)
Net income (loss)
 
(952
)
 
25,741

 
(26,493
)
 
1,775

 
71

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
—

 
(1,023
)
 
—

 
(1,039
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
(968
)
 
$
25,741

 
$
(27,516
)
 
$
1,775

 
$
(968
)

36
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014

 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross revenue
 
$
—

 
$
227,378

 
$
1,180,936

 
$
—

 
$
1,408,314

Intercompany revenue
 
1,704

 
71,092

 
—

 
(72,796
)
 
—

 
 
1,704

 
298,470

 
1,180,936

 
(72,796
)
 
1,408,314

Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost and reimbursable expense
 
—

 
168,412

 
817,537

 
—

 
985,949

Intercompany expenses
 
—

 
—

 
72,796

 
(72,796
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,254

 
31,738

 
44,172

 
—

 
77,164

General and administrative
 
67,573

 
26,137

 
100,977

 
—

 
194,687

 
 
68,827

 
226,287

 
1,035,482

 
(72,796
)
 
1,257,800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
—

 
—

 
(7,167
)
 
—

 
(7,167
)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
 
—

 
7,416

 
(33,010
)
 
—

 
(25,594
)
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
51,251

 
—

 
377

 
(51,209
)
 
419

Operating income (loss)
 
(15,872
)
 
79,599

 
105,654

 
(51,209
)
 
118,172

Interest expense, net
 
82,058

 
(3,288
)
 
(100,445
)
 
—

 
(21,675
)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
 
—

 
—

 
3,921

 
—

 
3,921

Other income (expense), net
 
(2,469
)
 
(563
)
 
(6,111
)
 
—

 
(9,143
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
63,717

 
75,748

 
3,019

 
(51,209
)
 
91,275

Allocation of consolidated income taxes
 
5,549

 
(34
)
 
(23,891
)
 
—

 
(18,376
)
Net income (loss)
 
69,266

 
75,714

 
(20,872
)
 
(51,209
)
 
72,899

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(43
)
 
—

 
(3,633
)
 
—

 
(3,676
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
69,223

 
$
75,714

 
$
(24,505
)
 
$
(51,209
)
 
$
69,223


37
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
3,216

 
$
12,724

 
$
(13,168
)
 
$
796

 
$
3,568

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
(31,902
)
 
—

 
23,556

 
4,707

 
(3,639
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(28,686
)
 
12,724

 
10,388

 
5,503

 
(71
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(14
)
 
—

 
(352
)
 
—

 
(366
)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
(605
)
 
—

 
(605
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(14
)
 
—

 
(957
)
 
—

 
(971
)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
(28,700
)
 
$
12,724

 
$
9,431

 
$
5,503

 
$
(1,042
)

38
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2015

 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net loss
 
$
(47,145
)
 
$
6,203

 
$
(93,022
)
 
$
90,223

 
$
(43,741
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
(38,773
)
 
—

 
63,859

 
(33,067
)
 
(7,981
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
(85,918
)
 
6,203

 
(29,163
)
 
57,156

 
(51,722
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(42
)
 
—

 
(3,404
)
 
—

 
(3,446
)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
(34
)
 
—

 
(34
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(42
)
 
—

 
(3,438
)
 
—

 
(3,480
)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Bristow Group
 
(85,960
)
 
6,203

 
(32,601
)
 
57,156

 
(55,202
)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
(1,498
)
 
—

 
(1,498
)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(85,960
)
 
$
6,203

 
$
(34,099
)
 
$
57,156

 
$
(56,700
)

39
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(952
)
 
$
25,741

 
$
(26,493
)
 
$
1,775

 
$
71

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
1,351

 
—

 
(33,835
)
 
12,309

 
(20,175
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
399

 
25,741

 
(60,328
)
 
14,084

 
(20,104
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
—

 
(1,023
)
 
—

 
(1,039
)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
2,381

 
—

 
2,381

Total comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
—

 
1,358

 
—

 
1,342

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
383

 
$
25,741

 
$
(58,970
)
 
$
14,084

 
$
(18,762
)

40
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
69,266

 
$
75,714

 
$
(20,872
)
 
$
(51,209
)
 
$
72,899

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
(10,335
)
 
—

 
(19,867
)
 
(489
)
 
(30,691
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
58,931

 
75,714

 
(40,739
)
 
(51,698
)
 
42,208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(43
)
 
—

 
(3,633
)
 
—

 
(3,676
)
Currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
2,415

 
—

 
2,415

Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(43
)
 
—

 
(1,218
)
 
—

 
(1,261
)
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
58,888

 
$
75,714

 
$
(41,957
)
 
$
(51,698
)
 
$
40,947


41
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
721

 
$
828

 
$
130,359

 
$
—

 
$
131,908

Accounts receivable
 
608,521

 
510,761

 
388,293

 
(1,275,800
)
 
231,775

Inventories
 
—

 
38,990

 
107,600

 
—

 
146,590

Assets held for sale
 
—

 
43,579

 
9,337

 
—

 
52,916

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
4,493

 
7,375

 
36,823

 
—

 
48,691

Total current assets
 
613,735

 
601,533

 
672,412

 
(1,275,800
)
 
611,880

Intercompany investment
 
1,196,032

 
111,379

 
148,865

 
(1,456,276
)
 
—

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
—

 
203,983

 
—

 
203,983

Intercompany notes receivable
 
1,380,962

 
13,786

 
3,600

 
(1,398,348
)
 
—

Property and equipment—at cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and buildings
 
5,105

 
63,190

 
178,372

 
—

 
246,667

Aircraft and equipment
 
130,831

 
1,210,731

 
1,248,294

 
—

 
2,589,856

 
 
135,936

 
1,273,921

 
1,426,666

 
—

 
2,836,523

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(21,557
)
 
(231,037
)
 
(269,033
)
 
—

 
(521,627
)
 
 
114,379

 
1,042,884

 
1,157,633

 
—

 
2,314,896

Goodwill
 
—

 
4,756

 
47,774

 
—

 
52,530

Other assets
 
44,826

 
899

 
123,075

 
—

 
168,800

Total assets
 
$
3,349,934

 
$
1,775,237

 
$
2,357,342

 
$
(4,130,424
)
 
$
3,352,089

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
342,833

 
$
710,978

 
$
358,814

 
$
(1,332,674
)
 
$
79,951

Accrued liabilities
 
16,802

 
33,875

 
1,213,763

 
(1,071,068
)
 
193,372

Current deferred taxes
 
1,048

 
1,917

 
11,337

 
—

 
14,302

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
 
24,501

 
—

 
22,742

 
—

 
47,243

Contingent consideration
 
—

 
—

 
29,021

 
—

 
29,021

Total current liabilities
 
385,184

 
746,770

 
1,635,677

 
(2,403,742
)
 
363,889

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
1,148,223

 
—

 
27,537

 
—

 
1,175,760

Intercompany notes payable
 
—

 
113,586

 
158,323

 
(271,909
)
 
—

Accrued pension liabilities
 
—

 
—

 
82,620

 
—

 
82,620

Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
11,593

 
7,246

 
14,928

 
(616
)
 
33,151

Deferred taxes
 
112,629

 
5,202

 
14,068

 
—

 
131,899

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
24,874

 
—

 
24,874

Stockholders’ investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
377

 
4,996

 
22,876

 
(27,872
)
 
377

Additional paid-in-capital
 
794,676

 
9,291

 
284,048

 
(293,339
)
 
794,676

Retained earnings
 
1,199,977

 
888,146

 
35,482

 
(923,628
)
 
1,199,977

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(119,377
)
 
—

 
50,351

 
(209,318
)
 
(278,344
)
Treasury shares
 
(184,796
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(184,796
)
Total Bristow Group stockholders’ investment
 
1,690,857

 
902,433

 
392,757

 
(1,454,157
)
 
1,531,890

Noncontrolling interests
 
1,448

 
—

 
6,558

 
—

 
8,006

Total stockholders’ investment
 
1,692,305

 
902,433

 
399,315

 
(1,454,157
)
 
1,539,896

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ investment
 
$
3,349,934

 
$
1,775,237

 
$
2,357,342

 
$
(4,130,424
)
 
$
3,352,089


42
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
126

 
$
884

 
$
103,136

 
$
—

 
$
104,146

Accounts receivable
 
377,158

 
342,239

 
447,776

 
(908,555
)
 
258,618

Inventories
 
—

 
44,285

 
102,884

 
—

 
147,169

Assets held for sale
 
—

 
54,695

 
3,132

 
—

 
57,827

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
4,850

 
7,035

 
58,206

 
—

 
70,091

Total current assets
 
382,134

 
449,138

 
715,134

 
(908,555
)
 
637,851

Intercompany investment
 
1,410,347

 
111,380

 
—

 
(1,521,727
)
 
—

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
—

 
216,376

 
—

 
216,376

Intercompany notes receivable
 
1,184,335

 
—

 
—

 
(1,184,335
)
 
—

Property and equipment—at cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and buildings
 
2,830

 
50,946

 
118,183

 
—

 
171,959

Aircraft and equipment
 
108,457

 
1,114,218

 
1,271,194

 
—

 
2,493,869

 
 
111,287

 
1,165,164

 
1,389,377

 
—

 
2,665,828

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(16,431
)
 
(223,245
)
 
(269,051
)
 
—

 
(508,727
)
 
 
94,856

 
941,919

 
1,120,326

 
—

 
2,157,101

Goodwill
 
—

 
4,756

 
70,872

 
—

 
75,628

Other assets
 
43,423

 
988

 
99,353

 
—

 
143,764

Total assets
 
$
3,115,095

 
$
1,508,181

 
$
2,222,061

 
$
(3,614,617
)
 
$
3,230,720

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
203,700

 
$
369,854

 
$
289,838

 
$
(779,199
)
 
$
84,193

Accrued liabilities
 
31,805

 
37,860

 
172,851

 
(18,009
)
 
224,507

Current deferred taxes
 
(3,661
)
 
2,503

 
18,862

 
—

 
17,704

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
 
9,088

 
—

 
9,642

 
—

 
18,730

Contingent consideration
 
—

 
—

 
33,938

 
—

 
33,938

Deferred sale leaseback
 
—

 
55,934

 
—

 
—

 
55,934

Total current liabilities
 
240,932

 
466,151

 
525,131

 
(797,208
)
 
435,006

Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
812,536

 
—

 
33,156

 
—

 
845,692

Intercompany notes payable
 
100,000

 
131,075

 
1,065,918

 
(1,296,993
)
 
—

Accrued pension liabilities
 
—

 
—

 
99,576

 
—

 
99,576

Other liabilities and deferred credits
 
17,144

 
8,379

 
21,711

 
(7,452
)
 
39,782

Deferred taxes
 
141,771

 
6,346

 
17,538

 
—

 
165,655

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

 
26,223

 
—

 
26,223

Stockholders’ investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
376

 
4,996

 
22,876

 
(27,872
)
 
376

Additional paid-in-capital
 
781,837

 
9,291

 
284,048

 
(293,339
)
 
781,837

Retained earnings
 
1,284,442

 
881,943

 
133,559

 
(1,015,502
)
 
1,284,442

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(80,604
)
 
—

 
(13,474
)
 
(176,251
)
 
(270,329
)
Treasury shares
 
(184,796
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(184,796
)
Total Bristow Group stockholders’ investment
 
1,801,255

 
896,230

 
427,009

 
(1,512,964
)
 
1,611,530

Noncontrolling interests
 
1,457

 
—

 
5,799

 
—

 
7,256

Total stockholders’ investment
 
1,802,712

 
896,230

 
432,808

 
(1,512,964
)
 
1,618,786

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ investment
 
$
3,115,095

 
$
1,508,181

 
$
2,222,061

 
$
(3,614,617
)
 
$
3,230,720


43
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
(111,132
)
 
$
104,553

 
$
62,263

 
$
—

 
$
55,684

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(24,633
)
 
(258,365
)
 
(60,367
)
 
—

 
(343,365
)
Proceeds from asset dispositions
 
—

 
15,192

 
3,960

 
—

 
19,152

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(24,633
)
 
(243,173
)
 
(56,407
)
 
—

 
(324,213
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
 
893,025

 
—

 
17,396

 
—

 
910,421

Repayment of debt
 
(542,900
)
 
—

 
(24,221
)
 
—

 
(567,121
)
Dividends paid
 
(35,627
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(35,627
)
Increases (decreases) in cash related to intercompany advances and debt
 
(178,140
)
 
138,564

 
39,576

 
—

 
—

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation
 
(42
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(42
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
(7,311
)
 
—

 
(7,311
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
(153
)
 
—

 
(153
)
Payment of contingent consideration
 
—

 
—

 
(8,000
)
 
—

 
(8,000
)
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
 
44

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
44

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
136,360

 
138,564

 
17,287

 
—

 
292,211

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
—

 
—

 
4,080

 
—

 
4,080

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
595

 
(56
)
 
27,223

 
—

 
27,762

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
126

 
884

 
103,136

 
—

 
104,146

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
721

 
$
828

 
$
130,359

 
$
—

 
$
131,908


44
BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Parent
Company
Only
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
(88,788
)
 
$
263,933

 
$
(13,181
)
 
$
446

 
$
162,410

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(38,303
)
 
(303,951
)
 
(157,031
)
 
—

 
(499,285
)
Proceeds from asset dispositions
 
—

 
209,523

 
194,838

 
—

 
404,361

Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliate
 
—

 
—

 
4,185

 
—

 
4,185

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(38,303
)
 
(94,428
)
 
41,992

 
—

 
(90,739
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
 
346,500

 
—

 
1,360

 
—

 
347,860

Repayment of debt
 
(363,872
)
 
—

 
(9,297
)
 
—

 
(373,169
)
Dividends paid
 
(33,935
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(33,935
)
Increases (decreases) in cash related to intercompany advances and debt
 
255,878

 
(169,111
)
 
(86,767
)
 
—

 
—

Partial prepayment of put/call obligation
 
(46
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(46
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest
 
—

 
—

 
(3,170
)
 
—

 
(3,170
)
Repurchase of Common Stock
 
(80,831
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(80,831
)
Issuance of Common Stock
 
2,217

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,217

Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
 
1,642

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,642

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
127,553

 
(169,111
)
 
(97,874
)
 
—

 
(139,432
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
—

 
—

 
(15,214
)
 
—

 
(15,214
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
462

 
394

 
(84,277
)
 
446

 
(82,975
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
4,640

 
—

 
200,147

 
(446
)
 
204,341

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
5,102

 
$
394

 
$
115,870

 
$
—

 
$
121,366


45

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Bristow Group Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine month period ended December 31, 2015. These condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Bristow Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders’ investment for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated May 20, 2015 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
 
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Houston, Texas
February 8, 2016

46

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (the “fiscal year 2015 Annual Report”) and the MD&A contained therein. In the discussion that follows, the terms “Current Quarter” and “Comparable Quarter” refer to the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and the terms “Current Period” and “Comparable Period” refer to the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our fiscal year ends March 31, and we refer to fiscal years based on the end of such period. Therefore, the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 is referred to as “fiscal year 2016”.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are statements about our future business, strategy, operations, capabilities and results; financial projections; plans and objectives of our management; expected actions by us and by third parties, including our clients, competitors, vendors and regulators; and other matters. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes”, “belief”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “projects”, “estimates”, “may”, “might”, “would”, “could” or other similar words; however, all statements in this Quarterly Report, other than statements of historical fact or historical financial results, are forward-looking statements.
Our forward-looking statements reflect our views and assumptions on the date we are filing this Quarterly Report regarding future events and operating performance. We believe that they are reasonable, but they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
You should consider the following key factors when evaluating these forward-looking statements:
•the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate;
•fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for oil and natural gas;
•fluctuations in levels of oil and natural gas production, exploration and development activities;
•fluctuations in the demand for our services;
•the existence of competitors;
•
the existence of operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance;
•the possibility of changes in tax and other laws and regulations;
•the possibility that the major oil companies do not continue to expand internationally and offshore;
•the possibility of significant changes in foreign exchange rates and controls;
•general economic conditions including the capital and credit markets;
•
the possibility that we may impair our long-lived assets, including goodwill, property and equipment and investments in unconsolidated affiliates;
•
the possibility that we may be unable to defer payment on certain aircraft into future fiscal years or take delivery of certain aircraft later than initially scheduled;
•
the possibility that we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft due to limited availability or unable to exercise aircraft purchase options;

47

•the possibility that we may be unable to dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket;
•the possibility that we or our suppliers will be unable to deliver new aircraft on time or on budget;
•the possibility that we may be unable to obtain financing or we may be unable to draw on our credit facilities;
•
the possibility that we may lack sufficient liquidity to continue to repurchase shares, pay a quarterly dividend or finance contractual commitments;
•the possibility that we may be unable to maintain compliance with debt covenants;
•the possibility that segments of our fleet may be grounded for extended periods of time or indefinitely;
•the possibility that we may be unable to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand;
•
the possibility that reductions in spending on helicopter services by governmental agencies could lead to modifications of search and rescue (“SAR”) contract terms or delays in receiving payments;
•
the possibility that customers may reject our aircraft due to late delivery or unacceptable aircraft design or operability; and
•
the possibility that we do not achieve the anticipated benefits from the addition of new-technology aircraft to our fleet.
The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of risk factors, please see the risks and uncertainties described under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report and in the Quarterly Report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.
All forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report are qualified by these cautionary statements and are only made as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We do not undertake any obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

48

Executive Overview
This Executive Overview only includes what management considers to be the most important information and analysis for evaluating our financial condition and operating performance. It provides the context for the discussion and analysis of the financial information that follows and does not disclose every item impacting our financial condition and operating performance.
General
We are the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. We have a long history in the helicopter services industry through Bristow Helicopters Ltd. (“Bristow Helicopters”) and Offshore Logistics, Inc., having been founded in 1955 and 1969, respectively. We have major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore energy producing regions of the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Trinidad. We provide private sector SAR services in Australia, Canada, Norway, Russia, Trinidad and the United States and we provide public sector SAR services in the U.K. on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. In March 2013, we were awarded a contract to provide public sector SAR services for all of the U.K. We are completing the construction of certain facilities, taking delivery of aircraft and training personnel. We are currently operational at nine bases as follows: Humberside and Inverness (April 2015), Caernarfon (July 2015), Lydd (August 2015), St. Athan (October 2015), Prestwich and Newquay (January 2016) and two Gap SAR bases of Sumburgh and Stornoway. Operation will commence at one additional base in fiscal year 2018 and the last two bases will transition from our existing Gap SAR contract in fiscal year 2018. We also provide regional fixed wing scheduled and charter services in the U.K and Australia through our consolidated affiliates, Eastern Airways and Airnorth, respectively. These operations support our primary helicopter services operations in those markets, creating a more integrated logistics solution for our clients. During the Current Period, we generated approximately 79% of our consolidated operating revenue from oil and gas operations, approximately 9% from SAR and approximately 12% from fixed wing services that support our global helicopter operations.
We generated 90% of our consolidated operating revenue from operations outside of the U.S. during the Current Period. Adjusted EBITDAR is calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as components of direct cost and general and administrative expense), benefit (provision) for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods.
We conduct our business in one segment: Helicopter Services. The Helicopter Services segment operations are conducted primarily through four regions:
•
Europe Caspian,
•
Africa,
•
Americas, and
•
Asia Pacific.
We primarily provide helicopter services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Our clients charter our helicopters primarily to transport personnel between onshore bases and offshore production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. To a lesser extent, our clients also charter our helicopters to transport time-sensitive equipment to these offshore locations. These clients’ operating expenditures in the production sector are the principal source of our revenue, while their exploration and development capital expenditures provide a lesser portion of our revenue. The clients for SAR services include both the oil and gas industry, where our revenue is primarily dependent on our clients’ operating expenditures, and governmental agencies, where our revenue is dependent on a country’s desire to privatize SAR and enter into long-term contracts. In addition to our primary Helicopter Services operations, we also operate a training unit, Bristow Academy. As of December 31, 2015, we operated 360 aircraft (including 245 owned aircraft and 115 leased aircraft; 31 of the owned aircraft are held for sale) and our unconsolidated affiliates operated 124 aircraft in addition to those aircraft leased from us.


49

The chart below presents (1) the number of helicopters in our fleet and their distribution among the regions of our Helicopter Services segment as of December 31, 2015; (2) the number of helicopters which we had on order or under option as of December 31, 2015; and (3) the percentage of operating revenue which each of our regions provided during the Current Period. For additional information regarding our commitments and options to acquire aircraft, see Note 5 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
 
 
Percentage
of Current
Period
Operating
Revenue
 
Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet
 
 
 
 
 
 
Helicopters
 
Fixed
Wing (1)
 
 
 
Unconsolidated
Affiliates (4)
 
 
 
 
Small
 
Medium
 
Large
 
Training
 
 
Total (2)(3)
 
Total
Europe Caspian
 
48
%
 
—

 
14

 
70

 
—

 
28

 
112

 
—

 
112

Africa
 
16
%
 
14

 
28

 
5

 
—

 
5

 
52

 
45

 
97

Americas
 
18
%
 
19

 
44

 
18

 
—

 
—

 
81

 
79

 
160

Asia Pacific
 
17
%
 
2

 
9

 
23

 
—

 
13

 
47

 
—

 
47

Corporate and other
 
1
%
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
68

 
—

 
68

 
—

 
68

Total
 
100
%
 
35

 
95

 
116

 
68

 
46

 
360

 
124

 
484

Aircraft not currently in fleet: (5)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On order
 
 
 
—

 
10

 
27

 
—

 
—

 
37

 
 
 
 
Under option
 
 
 
—

 
7

 
9

 
—

 
—

 
16

 
 
 
 
            
(1) 
Includes 30 fixed wing aircraft operated by Eastern Airways which are included in the Europe Caspian and Africa regions and 13 fixed wing aircraft operated by Airnorth which are included in the Asia Pacific region.
(2) 
Includes 31 aircraft held for sale and 115 leased aircraft as follows:
 
 
Held for Sale Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet
 
 
Helicopters
 
 
 
 
Small
 
Medium
 
Large
 
Training
 
Fixed
Wing
 
Total
Europe Caspian
 
—

 
1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1

Africa
 
5

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
10

Americas
 
—

 
7

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7

Asia Pacific
 
—

 
—

 
2

 
—

 
—

 
2

Corporate and other
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
—

 
11

Total
 
5

 
12

 
2

 
11

 
1

 
31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leased Aircraft in Consolidated Fleet
 
 
Helicopters
 
 
 
 
 
 
Small
 
Medium
 
Large
 
Training
 
Fixed
Wing
 
Total
Europe Caspian
 
—

 
5

 
37

 
—

 
11

 
53

Africa
 
—

 
1

 
2

 
—

 
2

 
5

Americas
 
1

 
10

 
5

 
—

 
—

 
16

Asia Pacific
 
2

 
2

 
8

 
—

 
4

 
16

Corporate and other
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
25

 
—

 
25

Total
 
3

 
18

 
52

 
25

 
17

 
115

(3) 
The average age of our fleet, excluding fixed wing and training aircraft, was approximately nine years as of December 31, 2015.
(4) 
The 124 aircraft operated by our unconsolidated affiliates do not include those aircraft leased from us. Includes 53 helicopters (primarily medium) and 26 fixed wing aircraft owned and managed by Líder Táxi Aéreo S.A. (“Líder”), our unconsolidated affiliate in Brazil, which is included in the Americas region.
(5) 
This table does not reflect aircraft which our unconsolidated affiliates may have on order or under option.

50

The commercial aircraft in our consolidated fleet represented in the above chart are our primary source of revenue. To normalize the consolidated operating revenue of our commercial helicopter fleet for the different revenue productivity and cost, we developed a common weighted factor that combines large, medium and small commercial helicopters into a combined standardized number of revenue producing commercial aircraft assets. We call this measure Large AirCraft Equivalent (“LACE”). Our commercial large, medium and small helicopters, including owned and leased helicopters, are weighted as 100%, 50% and 25%, respectively, to arrive at a single LACE number, which excludes Bristow Academy aircraft, fixed wing aircraft, unconsolidated affiliate aircraft, aircraft held for sale and aircraft construction in progress. We divide our operating revenue from commercial contracts relating to LACE aircraft, which excludes operating revenue from affiliates and reimbursable revenue, by LACE to develop a LACE rate, which is a standardized rate. Our current number of LACE is 163 and our historical LACE and LACE rate is as follows:
     
 
 
 
Current
Period (1)
 
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
LACE
 
163

 
166

 
158

 
158

 
149

 
153

 
LACE Rate (in millions)
 
$
8.89

 
$
9.33

 
$
9.34

 
$
8.35

 
$
7.89

 
$
7.15

 ______
(1) LACE rate is annualized.
The following table presents the distribution of LACE helicopters owned and leased, and the percentage of LACE leased as of December 31, 2015. The percentage of LACE leased is calculated by taking the total LACE for leased helicopters divided by the total LACE for all commercial helicopters we operate, including both owned and leased.
 
 
LACE
 
 
 
 
Owned Aircraft
 
Leased Aircraft
 
Percentage
of LACE
leased
 
Europe Caspian
37

 
40

 
52
%
 
Africa
17

 
3

 
13
%
 
Americas
31

 
10

 
25
%
 
Asia Pacific
17

 
10

 
37
%
 
Total
101

 
62

 
38
%

51

Our Strategy
Our goal is to strengthen our position as the leading helicopter services provider to the offshore energy industry and a leading helicopter services provider for civilian SAR and to pursue additional business opportunities that leverage our strengths in these markets. We intend to employ the following well defined business/commercial and capital allocation strategies to achieve this goal:
Business/Commercial Strategy
•
Be the preferred provider of helicopter services. We are positioned in the market to be the preferred provider of helicopter services by maintaining strong relationships with our clients and providing a high level of safety and operating reliably. This differentiation is maintained because of our resolute focus on our cornerstone philosophy of “Target Zero Accidents”, “Target Zero Downtime” and “Target Zero Complaints” allowing us to achieve “Operational Excellence”.  Operational Excellence means we maintain close relationships with field operations, corporate management and contacts at our oil and gas clients and governmental agencies which we believe help us better anticipate client needs and provide them with a highly reliable service. We provide our clients operational predictability by positioning the right assets in the right place at the right time repeatedly. This in turn allows us to better manage our fleet utilization and capital investment program and drive internal efficiencies.  By better understanding and delivering on our clients’ needs, we effectively compete against other helicopter service providers with better aircraft optionality, client service, and reliability, not just on price and safety. In October 2014, we along with four major helicopter operators formally launched HeliOffshore. HeliOffshore is an industry organization whose goal is to enhance the already strong safety record of the offshore helicopter industry by sharing best practices in automation, performance monitoring, operating procedures, and advanced technology to establish common global flight standards. We believe this will make our sector a sustainably reliable and dependable logistics option for the oil and gas industry.
•
Grow our business while managing our assets. We plan to continue to grow our business globally and increase our revenue and profitability over time, while managing through cyclical downturns in the energy industry or governmental spending reductions or modifications. We conduct flight operations in most major oil and gas producing regions of the world, and through our strong relationships with our existing clients, we are aware of future business opportunities in the markets we currently serve that would allow us to grow through new contracts. Additionally, new opportunities may result in growth through acquisitions, participation with existing unconsolidated affiliates, investing in new companies, or creating partnerships and alliances with existing industry participants or in new sectors of the air transport industry. We are also actively managing our aircraft fleet with the expressed goal of continually renewing the fleet with newer technology aircraft, while also reducing the number of fleet types we operate. We expect that a reduction in the number of fleet types we operate will allow us to realize operating, maintenance, inventory and supply chain efficiencies across a more standardized global fleet of aircraft.
•
Sustaining Operational Excellence. We continue to invest in operations transformation across our organization, with the goal of developing and sustaining industry differentiation through Operational Excellence. We define our objective of ongoing improvement across four strategic areas: client alignment, operational excellence, exceptional people and profitable growth. We strive for the highest standards in safety performance, mission execution, people management and financial discipline. We have appointed a number of global account and business development executives to support our drive to deliver Operational Excellence to our clients. We are also working to improve operational performance through our global supply chain and fleet management groups. We are in the process of further standardizing, simplifying and integrating our business processes across our global operations so we can better provide more consistent and high quality service delivery. We have invested in two new technology platforms, eFlight and a new ERP platform, to support flight operations and activities such as finance, supply chain and maintenance. The expected benefits of these efforts in addition to a scalable platform for growth include fewer process steps, decreased cost, better maintenance turnaround, minimization of aircraft downtime, faster billing and collections, reduced inventory levels and lower risk exposure, which should lead to improved margins, asset turnover, cash flow and Bristow Value Added (“BVA”). We expect the technology execution portion of Operational Excellence to not only improve our differentiated position with our clients but also reduce risk and reinforce our objective of profitable growth.

52

Capital Allocation Strategy
Our capital allocation strategy is based on three principles as follows:
•
Prudent balance sheet management. Throughout our corporate and regional management, we proactively manage our capital allocation plan with a focus on achieving business growth and improving rates of return, within the dictates of prudent balance sheet management. In addition to cash flow generated from operations, we intend to maintain adequate liquidity and manage our capital structure relative to our commitments with external financings when necessary and through the use of operating leases for a target of 35% of our LACE. The target recognizes that we will have variability above or below the target of approximately 5% of our LACE due to timing of leases, purchases, disposals and lease terminations. As of December 31, 2015, aircraft under operating leases accounted for 38% of our LACE. Our adjusted debt to total equity ratio and total liquidity were 124.5% and $299.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015 and 99.7% and $369.9 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015. As of December 31 and March 31, 2015, adjusted debt includes balance sheet debt of $1.2 billion and $864.4 million, respectively, the net present value of operating leases totaling $601.5 million and $640.0 million, respectively, letters of credit, bank guarantees and financial guarantees totaling $10.6 million and $10.7 million, respectively, and the unfunded pension liability of $82.6 million and $99.6 million, respectively. On November 5, 2015, we received $200 million in proceeds from a new two-year term loan facility and initially used the proceeds to repay loans outstanding under our $400 million revolving credit facility and related fees and expenses and to finance working capital needs with further borrowings on our $400 million revolving credit facility. The additional liquidity was used for capital expenditures, working capital needs and general corporate purposes. Additionally, we have been working closely with helicopter manufacturers to defer capital expenditures for certain ordered aircraft into future fiscal years to more closely align the expenditures for those aircraft with the expected timing of revenue and cash flow generated by those assets. Our $200 million financing and capital expenditure deferral efforts, along with sales of idle assets and cost management initiatives, are intended to provide us with increased liquidity to fulfill our capital needs for new aircraft and infrastructure, including for the U.K. SAR contract, and provide additional financial flexibility through the current energy market downturn.



53

•
Highest return of BVA. Our internal financial management framework, called BVA, focuses on the returns we deliver across our organization. BVA is a financial performance measure that we use to measure gross cash flow less a capital charge, assumed to be 10.5% of the use of gross invested capital employed. Our goal is to achieve strong improvements in BVA over time by (1) improving the cash returns we earn throughout our organization via Operational Excellence initiatives and capital efficiency improvements as well as through better pricing based on the differentiated value we deliver to clients via the Bristow Client Promise program; (2) deploying more capital into commercial opportunities where management believes we can deliver strong returns and when we believe it will benefit us and our shareholders, including making strategic acquisitions or strategic equity investments; and (3) withdrawing capital from areas where returns are deemed inadequate and unable to be sufficiently improved. When appropriate, we may divest parts of the Company. Improvements in BVA are the primary financial measure in our management incentive plan, which is designed to align the interests of management with shareholders and also encourages management actions that increase the long-term value of the Company.
•
Balanced shareholder return. We continue to proactively manage our liquidity position with cash flows from operations, as well as external financings as discussed above. On February 4, 2016, our board of directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per common share. This dividend represents a reduction from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.34 per common share as we continue to address the uncertainty of the “lower for longer” commodity price environment, maintain liquidity to finance operating and maintenance expenditures, and provide additional financial flexibility. Our board of directors has approved a dividend policy with a goal of an annualized quarterly dividend payout ratio of 20-30% of forward adjusted earnings per share; however, actual dividend payments are at the discretion of our board of directors and may not meet or exceed this ratio. Also, our board of directors has authorized expenditures to repurchase shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), since November 2011. Through February 5, 2016, we had repurchased 2,756,419 shares of our Common Stock for a total of $184.8 million since 2011. No shares have been repurchased since December 2014. For additional information on our repurchases of Common Stock, see “Share Repurchases” in Note 10 to the financial statements in our fiscal year 2015 Annual Report and Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt instruments, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Market Outlook
Our core business is providing helicopter services to the worldwide oil and gas industry. We also provide public and private sector SAR services and fixed wing services. Our global operations and critical mass of helicopters provide us with geographic and client diversity which helps mitigate risks associated with a single market or client.
The oil and gas business environment experienced a downturn during fiscal year 2015, which has continued into fiscal year 2016. Brent crude oil prices declined from approximately $106 per barrel at July 1, 2014 to $36 per barrel at December 31, 2015 and continued to decline in January 2016, driven by increased global supply and forecasts of reduced demand for crude oil resulting from weaker global economic growth in many regions of the world. The oil price decline has negatively impacted the cash flow of our clients and has resulted in their implementation of measures to reduce operational and capital costs in calendar year 2015 compared to 2014 levels, negatively impacting activity during fiscal years 2015 and 2016, which is expected to continue in fiscal year 2017. The current price environment has had an impact on both the offshore production and the offshore exploration activity of our clients, with offshore production activity being impacted to a lesser extent. Although the largest share of our revenue relates to oil and gas production and our largest contract, U.K. SAR, is not directly impacted by declining oil prices, the significant drop in the price of crude oil has resulted in the rescaling, delay or cancellation of planned offshore projects which has negatively impacted our operations and could continue to negatively impact our operations in future periods. We continue to expect this “lower for longer” oil price environment to continue in calendar year 2017 with significant uncertainty as to when a recovery will occur.
The SAR market is continuing to evolve and we believe further outsourcing of public SAR services to the private sector will continue in the future, although the timing of these opportunities is uncertain. The clients for our SAR services include both the oil and gas industry and governmental agencies. Public SAR service opportunities include previously awarded work involving seven aircraft for the U.K. Gap SAR contract, five aircraft in Ireland, two aircraft in the Dutch Antilles, 18 additional aircraft for the U.K. SAR contract awarded to us and four aircraft for the Falklands. We are also pursuing other public and oil and gas SAR opportunities for multiple aircraft in various jurisdictions around the globe. We are also pursuing other non-SAR government aircraft logistics opportunities.
As discussed above, we continue to seek ways to operate more efficiently and work with our clients to improve the efficiency of their operations within our “Operational Excellence” strategy. We have delivered on the majority of our operating cost reductions and actions will be taken to achieve further savings during the final quarter of fiscal year 2016. Further cost reductions and cash

54

savings or capital deferral efforts are planned across our business in fiscal year 2017. We expect improvements in cash flow generation in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 due to additional cost reduction efforts and cash savings or capital deferral efforts, the U.K. SAR contract being fully operational and a significant decline in capital expenditures relative to the current fiscal year.
Recent Events
Airnorth acquisition — On January 29, 2015, Bristow Helicopters Australia PTY LTD (“Bristow Helicopters Australia”) acquired an 85% interest in Capiteq Limited, operating under the name Airnorth, for cash of A$30.3 million ($24.0 million), with possible earn out consideration of up to A$17 million ($13.0 million) to be paid over four years based on the achievement in part on specified financial performance thresholds and continued employment by the selling shareholders. Airnorth is Northern Australia’s largest regional fixed wing operator based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with both scheduled and charter services which focus primarily on the energy and mining industries in northern and western Australia as well as international service to Dili, Timor-Leste. Airnorth’s fleet consists of thirteen aircraft (nine turboprop and four new technology regional jets) and its customer base includes many energy companies to which Bristow Group already provides helicopter service. We believe this investment will strengthen our ability to provide point to point transportation services for existing Australian based passengers, expand helicopter services in certain areas in Southeast Asian markets and create a more integrated logistics solution for global clients.
The acquisition of Airnorth was accounted for under the purchase method and the results have been consolidated from the date of acquisition in the Asia Pacific region. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.
In November 2015, we purchased the remaining 15% of the outstanding shares of Airnorth for A$7.3 million ($5.3 million) resulting in a reduction of $5.5 million to redeemable noncontrolling interests and an increase of $0.2 million to additional paid-in capital.
We expect this acquisition will contribute approximately A$105-A$115 million ($83-$91 million) in operating revenue and A$25-A$30 million ($20-$24 million) of adjusted EBITDAR for fiscal year 2016. Airnorth contributed A$83.2 million ($61.1 million) in operating revenue and A$21.8 million ($16.1 million) of adjusted EBITDAR in the Current Period.
Impact of fleet changes — The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for helicopter services across global energy markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As offshore oil and gas drilling and production globally moves to deeper water, more medium and large aircraft and newer technology aircraft may be required. As older aircraft models come off of current contracts and are replaced by new aircraft, our management evaluates our future needs for these aircraft models and ultimately the ability to recover our remaining investments in these aircraft through sales into the aftermarket. We depreciate our aircraft over their expected useful life to the expected salvage value to be received for the aircraft at the end of that life. However, depending on the market for aircraft or changes in the expected future use of aircraft within our fleet, we may record gains or losses on aircraft sales, impairment charges for aircraft operating or held for sale, or accelerate or increase depreciation on aircraft used in our operations. In certain instances where a cash return can be made on newer aircraft in excess of the expected return available through the provision of helicopter services, we may sell newer aircraft. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales is unpredictable. While aircraft sales are common in our business and are reflected in our operating results, gains and losses on aircraft sales may result in our operating results not reflecting the ordinary operating performance of our primary business, which is providing aircraft services to our clients. The gains and losses on aircraft sales and any impairment charges are not included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted earnings per share or gross cash flows for purposes of calculating BVA.
As part of an ongoing process to rationalize and simplify our global fleet of helicopters, during fiscal year 2014 we implemented a plan to reduce the number of aircraft types in our fleet to eight model types in approximately five years and six model types in approximately ten years. During fiscal year 2014, we completed our exit from five model types and in fiscal year 2015 we completed our exit from four model types while adding two model types. As we modernize our fleet, the introduction of new technology aircraft types temporarily slows fleet type reduction.

55

During fiscal year 2015, we recorded impairment charges totaling $36.1 million related to 27 held for sale aircraft, primarily related to one large aircraft type we are in the process of removing from our fleet. Additionally, as we expected to complete the disposal of the remaining aircraft of this type still operating as of March 31, 2015, we adjusted the salvage value and recorded additional depreciation expense of $6.2 million during fiscal year 2015. During the Current Period, we have seen further deterioration in market sales for aircraft resulting mostly from an increase in idle aircraft and reduced demand across the offshore energy market. While other markets exist for certain aircraft model types, including utility, firefighting, government, VIP transportation and tourism, the market for certain model type aircraft has slowed. As a result of these market changes, we recorded impairment charges of $22.0 million related to 11 held for sale aircraft during the Current Period. Additionally, due to changes in estimated salvage values for our fleet of operational aircraft and other changes in the timing of exiting certain aircraft from our operations, we have recorded an additional $22.4 million in depreciation expense during the Current Period.
Goodwill impairment — During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we noted rapid and significant declines in the market value of our stock resulting from the downturn in the oil and gas market driven by reduced crude oil prices. We identified this decline in market value of our stock and an overall reduction in expected operating results resulting from the downturn as indicators that the fair value of our goodwill could have fallen below its carrying amount. As a result, as part of our accounting process for the Current Period, we performed a goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2015 and determined that the goodwill associated with our Bristow Norway reporting unit within our Europe Caspian region and associated with our Bristow Academy reporting unit within Corporate and other was impaired. In the Current Period, we recognized a loss of $22.3 million associated with the impairment of goodwill. No further impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets was recognized during the Current Quarter.
Selected Regional Perspectives
Brazil now represents a significant part of our long term helicopter growth outlook due to its concentration and size of its offshore oil reserves. However, in the short term, Brazil and specifically, Petrobras, continues to evidence uncertainty as its restructuring efforts have impacted the helicopter industry. Petrobras cancelled its new tenders for multiple medium and large aircraft that were expected to commence in calendar year 2016. While this represents a contraction in short-term demand, Brazil’s impact on long-term helicopter demand is expected to be material. Petrobras represented 60% of Líder’s operating revenue in fiscal year 2015 and 65% of Líder’s operating revenue in calendar year 2015.
Líder also has significant business in the general aviation sector and previously announced that it had secured a position as the exclusive dealer for Bombardier jet aircraft sales in Brazil. Additionally, Líder has recently secured a position as the exclusive dealer for Honda Jet aircraft sales in Brazil which is expected to add to their aircraft sales business.
Currency fluctuations continue to make it difficult to predict the earnings from our Líder investment. These currency fluctuations, which primarily do not impact Líder’s cash flow from operations, had a significant negative impact on Líder’s results in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and the first half of fiscal year 2016, impacting our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates. Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, on our consolidated statements of operations, is included in calculating adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted net income.
We are subject to competition and the political environment in the countries where we operate. In Nigeria, we have seen an increase in competitive pressure and the application of existing local content regulations that could impact our ability to win future work at levels previously anticipated. In order to properly and fully embrace new regulations, we have made a number of key changes to our operating model in Nigeria, while maintaining safety as our number one priority at all times. The objectives of these changes being (a) enhancing the level of continued compliance by each of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd. (“BHNL”) and Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd. (“PAAN”) with local content regulations, (b) providing technical aviation maintenance services through a wholly-owned Bristow Group entity, BGI Aviation Technical Services Nigeria Limited (“BATS”), and (c) each of BHNL, PAAN and BATS committing to continue to apply and use all key Bristow Group standards and policies, including without limitation our Target Zero safety program, our Code of Business Integrity and our Operations Manuals. As a result of these changes, our ability to continue to consolidate BHNL and PAAN under the current accounting requirements could change.
We conduct business in various foreign countries, and as such, our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations and related risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. During the Current Quarter and the Current Period, our primary foreign currency exposure was related to the British pound sterling, the euro, the Australian dollar, the Nigerian naira and the Norwegian kroner and our unconsolidated affiliates foreign currency exposure is primarily related to the Brazilian real. For details on this exposure and the related impact on our results of operations, see “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

56

Results of Operations
The following table presents our operating results and other statement of operations information for the applicable periods:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share
amounts, percentages and flight hours)
Gross revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
395,157

 
 
$
430,318

 
 
$
(35,161
)
 
 
(8.2
)%
Reimbursable revenue
 
24,730

 
 
29,822

 
 
(5,092
)
 
 
(17.1
)%
Total gross revenue
 
419,887

 
 
460,140

 
 
(40,253
)
 
 
(8.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost
 
288,135

 
 
295,425

 
 
7,290

 
 
2.5
 %
Reimbursable expense
 
23,380

 
 
28,549

 
 
5,169

 
 
18.1
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
32,320

 
 
23,625

 
 
(8,695
)
 
 
(36.8
)%
General and administrative
 
59,513

 
 
72,531

 
 
13,018

 
 
17.9
 %
Total operating expense
 
403,348

 
 
420,130

 
 
16,782

 
 
4.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
—

 
 
(3,805
)
 
 
3,805

 
 
100.0
 %
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(2,154
)
 
 
(26,331
)
 
 
24,177

 
 
91.8
 %
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
7,692

 
 
(958
)
 
 
8,650

 
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
22,077

 
 
8,916

 
 
13,161

 
 
147.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
(9,536
)
 
 
(6,976
)
 
 
(2,560
)
 
 
(36.7
)%
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
 
—

 
 
3,921

 
 
(3,921
)
 
 
(100.0
)%
Other income (expense), net
 
650

 
 
(5,223
)
 
 
5,873

 
 
112.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before provision for income taxes
 
13,191

 
 
638

 
 
12,553

 
 
*

Provision for income taxes
 
(9,623
)
 
 
(567
)
 
 
(9,056
)
 
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
3,568

 
 
71

 
 
3,497

 
 
*

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(366
)
 
 
(1,039
)
 
 
673

 
 
64.8
 %
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
3,202

 
 
$
(968
)
 
 
$
4,170

 
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
0.09

 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
$
0.12

 
 
*

Operating margin (1)
 
5.6
%
 
 
2.1
%
 
 
3.5
 %
 
 
166.7
 %
Flight hours (2)
 
47,396

 
 
53,033

 
 
(5,637
)
 
 
(10.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP financial measures: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
 
$
36,622

 
 
$
43,564

 
 
$
(6,942
)
 
 
(15.9
)%
Adjusted operating margin (1)
 
9.3
%
 
 
10.1
%
 
 
(0.8
)%
 
 
(7.9
)%
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
116,907

 
 
$
109,056

 
 
$
7,851

 
 
7.2
 %
Adjusted EBITDAR margin (1)
 
29.6
%
 
 
25.3
%
 
 
4.3
 %
 
 
17.0
 %
Adjusted net income
 
$
23,533

 
 
$
24,719

 
 
$
(1,186
)
 
 
(4.8
)%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.67

 
 
$
0.70

 
 
$
(0.03
)
 
 
(4.3
)%

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share
amounts, percentages and flight hours)
Gross revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
1,254,279

 
 
$
1,308,111

 
 
$
(53,832
)
 
 
(4.1
)%
Reimbursable revenue
 
79,515

 
 
100,203

 
 
(20,688
)
 
 
(20.6
)%
Total gross revenue
 
1,333,794

 
 
1,408,314

 
 
(74,520
)
 
 
(5.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct cost
 
926,378

 
 
891,483

 
 
(34,895
)
 
 
(3.9
)%
Reimbursable expense
 
76,242

 
 
94,466

 
 
18,224

 
 
19.3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
106,853

 
 
77,164

 
 
(29,689
)
 
 
(38.5
)%
General and administrative
 
174,302

 
 
194,687

 
 
20,385

 
 
10.5
 %
Total operating expense
 
1,283,775

 
 
1,257,800

 
 
(25,975
)
 
 
(2.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on impairment
 
(27,713
)
 
 
(7,167
)
 
 
(20,546
)
 
 
(286.7
)%
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(23,856
)
 
 
(25,594
)
 
 
1,738

 
 
6.8
 %
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
(1,372
)
 
 
419

 
 
(1,791
)
 
 
*

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
(2,922
)
 
 
118,172

 
 
(121,094
)
 
 
(102.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
(24,384
)
 
 
(21,675
)
 
 
(2,709
)
 
 
(12.5
)%
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliates
 
—

 
 
3,921

 
 
(3,921
)
 
 
(100.0
)%
Other income (expense), net
 
(6,935
)
 
 
(9,143
)
 
 
2,208

 
 
24.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
 
(34,241
)
 
 
91,275

 
 
(125,516
)
 
 
(137.5
)%
Provision for income taxes
 
(9,500
)
 
 
(18,376
)
 
 
8,876

 
 
48.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
(43,741
)
 
 
72,899

 
 
(116,640
)
 
 
(160.0
)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(3,446
)
 
 
(3,676
)
 
 
230

 
 
6.3
 %
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
(47,187
)
 
 
69,223

 
 
(116,410
)
 
 
(168.2
)%
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(1,498
)
 
 
—

 
 
(1,498
)
 
 
*

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
(48,685
)
 
 
$
69,223

 
 
$
(117,908
)
 
 
(170.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
(1.40
)
 
 
$
1.94

 
 
$
(3.34
)
 
 
(172.2
)%
Operating margin (1)
 
(0.2
)%
 
 
9.0
%
 
 
(9.2
)%
 
 
(102.2
)%
Flight hours (2)
 
151,014

 
 
158,518

 
 
(7,504
)
 
 
(4.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-GAAP financial measures: (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating income
 
$
92,132

 
 
$
161,303

 
 
$
(69,171
)
 
 
(42.9
)%
Adjusted operating margin (1)
 
7.3
 %
 
 
12.3
%
 
 
(5.0
)%
 
 
(40.7
)%
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
330,718

 
 
$
347,494

 
 
$
(16,776
)
 
 
(4.8
)%
Adjusted EBITDAR margin (1)
 
26.4
 %
 
 
26.6
%
 
 
(0.2
)%
 
 
(0.8
)%
Adjusted net income
 
$
47,196

 
 
$
102,159

 
 
$
(54,963
)
 
 
(53.8
)%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
 
$
1.34

 
 
$
2.87

 
 
$
(1.53
)
 
 
(53.3
)%
 ____________ 
 * percentage change not meaningful

(1) 
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating income divided by operating revenue. Adjusted EBITDAR margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDAR divided by operating revenue.
(2) 
Excludes flight hours from Bristow Academy and unconsolidated affiliates. Includes flight hours from Eastern Airways and Airnorth fixed wing operations in the U.K., Nigeria and Australia totaling 10,010 and 6,556 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 31,657 and 21,175 for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

58

(3) 
These financial measures have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent registered public accounting firm. These financial measures are therefore considered non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDAR is calculated by taking our net income and adjusting for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, rent expense (included as a component of direct cost and general and administrative expense), provision for income taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. See further discussion of our use of the adjusted EBITDAR metric below. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share are each adjusted for gain (loss) on disposal of assets and any special items during the reported periods. As discussed below, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our results of operations. A description of the adjustments to and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Adjusted operating income
 
$
36,622

 
$
43,564

 
$
92,132

 
$
161,303

 
 
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(2,154
)
 
(26,331
)
 
(23,856
)
 
(25,594
)
 
 
Special items (i)
 
(12,391
)
 
(8,317
)
 
(71,198
)
 
(17,537
)
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
$
22,077

 
$
8,916

 
$
(2,922
)
 
$
118,172

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
116,907

 
$
109,056

 
$
330,718

 
$
347,494

 
 
Loss on disposal of assets
 
(2,154
)
 
(26,331
)
 
(23,856
)
 
(25,594
)
 
 
Special items (i)
 
(7,348
)
 
(5,086
)
 
(48,752
)
 
(16,207
)
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(32,320
)
 
(23,625
)
 
(106,853
)
 
(77,164
)
 
 
Rent expense
 
(52,177
)
 
(46,282
)
 
(160,495
)
 
(114,839
)
 
 
Interest expense
 
(9,717
)
 
(7,094
)
 
(25,003
)
 
(22,415
)
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(9,623
)
 
(567
)
 
(9,500
)
 
(18,376
)
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
3,568

 
$
71

 
$
(43,741
)
 
$
72,899

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income
 
$
23,533

 
$
24,719

 
$
47,196

 
$
102,159

 
 
Loss on disposal of assets (ii)
 
(1,658
)
 
(21,033
)
 
(18,369
)
 
(20,441
)
 
 
Special items (i) (ii)
 
(18,673
)
 
(4,654
)
 
(76,014
)
 
(12,495
)
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group
 
$
3,202

 
$
(968
)
 
$
(47,187
)
 
$
69,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (iii)
 
$
0.67

 
$
0.70

 
$
1.34

 
$
2.87

 
 
Loss on disposal of assets (ii)
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.60
)
 
(0.52
)
 
(0.57
)
 
 
Special items (i) (ii)
 
(0.53
)
 
(0.13
)
 
(2.20
)
 
(0.35
)
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
0.09

 
(0.03
)
 
(1.40
)
 
1.94

 
____________ 
 
(i) 
See information about special items during the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter under “Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter” and Current Period and Comparable Period under “Current Period Compared to Comparable Period” below.
(ii) 
These amounts are presented after applying the appropriate tax effect to each item and dividing by the weighted average shares outstanding during the related period to calculate the earnings per share impact.
(iii) 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated using the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 35,303,238, 35,039,875, 34,884,529 and 35,657,119 for the Current Quarter, Comparable Quarter, Current Period and Comparable Period, respectively.
Management believes that adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (collectively, the “Non-GAAP measures”) provide relevant and useful information, which is widely used by analysts, investors and competitors in our industry as well as by our management in assessing both consolidated and regional performance.
Adjusted operating income provides us with an understanding of the results from the primary operations of our business by excluding asset disposition effects and special items that do not reflect the ordinary earnings of our operations. We believe that this measure is a useful supplemental measure because operating income includes asset disposition effects and special items, and inclusion of these items does not reflect the ongoing operational earnings of our business.

59

Adjusted EBITDAR provides us with an understanding of one aspect of earnings before the impact of investing and financing transactions and income taxes. Additionally, we believe that adjusted EBITDAR provides us with a useful supplemental measure of our operational performance by excluding the financing decisions we make regarding aircraft purchases or leasing. Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us for investing in the growth of our business.
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share present our consolidated results excluding asset dispositions and special items that do not reflect the ordinary earnings of our operations. We believe that these measures are useful supplemental measures because net income and diluted earnings per share include asset disposition effects and special items, and inclusion of these items does not reflect the ongoing operational earnings of our business.
The Non-GAAP measures are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP and other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do. As a result, these financial measures have limitations as analytical and comparative tools and you should not consider these measures in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In calculating these financial measures, we make certain adjustments that are based on assumptions and estimates that may prove to be inaccurate. In addition, in evaluating these financial measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation. Our presentation of the Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or special items.
Some of the additional limitations of adjusted EBITDAR are:
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect our current or future cash requirements for capital expenditures;
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debts;
•
Adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect the significant rent expense or the cash requirements necessary to make lease payments on our operating leases; and
•
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDAR does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
The following tables present region adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin discussed in “Region Operating Results,” and consolidated adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
$
66,062

 
 
$
64,107

 
 
$
198,621

 
 
$
205,357

 
 
Africa
 
18,162

 
 
29,785

 
 
60,877

 
 
77,680

 
 
Americas
 
35,908

 
 
33,233

 
 
76,645

 
 
101,113

 
 
Asia Pacific
 
16,599

 
 
14,511

 
 
49,994

 
 
39,839

 
 
Corporate and other
 
(19,824
)
 
 
(32,580
)
 
 
(55,419
)
 
 
(76,495
)
 
 
Consolidated adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
116,907

 
 
$
109,056

 
 
$
330,718

 
 
$
347,494

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe Caspian
 
34.3
%
 
 
32.8
%
 
 
32.9
%
 
 
33.5
%
 
 
Africa
 
29.4
%
 
 
34.5
%
 
 
30.0
%
 
 
30.4
%
 
 
Americas
 
49.8
%
 
 
37.6
%
 
 
34.0
%
 
 
38.0
%
 
 
Asia Pacific
 
24.6
%
 
 
24.5
%
 
 
23.3
%
 
 
23.6
%
 
 
Consolidated adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
29.6
%
 
 
25.3
%
 
 
26.4
%
 
 
26.6
%
 

60

Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter
For the Current Quarter, we reported operating income of $22.1 million, net income of $3.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.09 compared to operating income of $8.9 million, net loss of $1.0 million and diluted loss per share of $0.03 for the Comparable Quarter.
The primary drivers of the $4.2 million ($0.12 per share) improvement in net income over the Comparable Quarter were:
•
A loss of $1.7 million on disposal of assets compared with a $21.0 million loss in the Comparable Quarter, as the Comparable Quarter included non-cash impairment charges for aircraft of $20.5 million,
•
A $8.1 million increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates as we recorded a loss on earnings from our investment in Líder in Brazil in the Comparable Quarter compared to earnings in the Current Quarter, and
•
A reduction in costs across our global organization, reflected primarily in decreased general and administrative, salaries and benefits, and maintenance expense driven by cost reduction efforts in the face of the ongoing downturn in oil and gas markets globally, partially offset by
•
Severance expense of $5.4 million (including $2.1 million recorded in direct costs and $3.3 million recorded in general and administrative expense) and accelerated depreciation expense of $3.8 million in the Current Quarter (see discussion of these special items below), and
•
A $9.5 million, or $0.27 per share, non-cash adjustment related to the valuation of deferred tax assets in the Current Quarter.
Excluding special items and losses on disposal of assets, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $36.6 million, $23.5 million and $0.67, respectively, for the Current Quarter compared to $43.6 million, $24.7 million and $0.70, respectively, for the Comparable Quarter.
Adjusted EBITDAR, which is adjusted for special items and losses on disposal of assets and exclude the impact of changes in rent expense, depreciation and amortization expense and income taxes, was $116.9 million in the Current Quarter compared to $109.1 million in the Comparable Quarter. Adjusted EBITDAR increased primarily as a result of the increase in earnings from Líder (driven by foreign exchange rate changes), the start-up of the U.K. SAR contract in April 2015, the addition of Airnorth, and cost reduction activities across the organization, despite a decline in activity and revenue from our oil and gas clients. Adjusted EBITDAR margin improved from 25.3% in the Comparable Quarter to 29.6% in the Current Quarter as a result of these items. Excluding the foreign currency impact in the Current Quarter and the Comparable Quarter, most of which was reflected in the increase in earnings from Líder, adjusted EBITDAR would have been $115.5 million and $124.7 million, respectively, and adjusted EBITDAR margin would have been 29.1% and 28.3%, respectively.
Despite the improvement in adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share declined from the Comparable Quarter as rent expense increased $5.1 million and interest expense increased $2.3 million.
We expect results over the remainder of fiscal year 2016 to continue to be impacted by the industry conditions affecting our clients. However, we also expect operating results to benefit from our diversification strategy into SAR and fixed wing logistics and as our cost reduction initiatives take full effect. We cannot predict what impact any further changes in foreign currency exchange rates could have on our results over the remainder of fiscal year 2016.
Gross revenue decreased 8.7%, or $40.3 million, to $419.9 million for the Current Quarter from $460.1 million for the Comparable Quarter. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates resulted in a $14.9 million decrease in gross revenue year-over-year. In addition to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating revenue decreased as a result of:
•
A decrease in activity and operating revenue with our oil and gas clients resulting from the ongoing downturn driven by reduced crude oil prices globally, partially offset by
•
An increase in operating revenue of $35.7 million from SAR operations driven by the start-up of the U.K. SAR contract in April 2015, contributing $47.5 million in operating revenue in the Current Quarter, and
•
An increase in operating revenue of $10.4 million from fixed wing operations, primarily from the addition of Airnorth in our Asia Pacific region in January 2015, which contributed $17.9 million of operating revenue in the Current Quarter.


61

Direct costs decreased 2.5%, or $7.3 million, to $288.1 million for the Current Quarter from $295.4 million for the Comparable Quarter primarily due to a $12.3 million decrease in maintenance expense including credits of $14.2 million from original equipment manufacturers due to aircraft performance issues, an $8.9 million decrease in salaries and benefits due to a decrease in headcount across all regions and a reduction in inventory consignment fees of $7.3 million due to lower consignment rates, partially offset by a $5.9 million increase in rent expense related to additional leased aircraft, severance expense of $2.8 million, a $2.6 million increase in insurance expense due to additional aircraft insured and the addition of Airnorth, a $2.7 million increase in bad debt expense recorded in the Current Quarter in our Africa and Asia Pacific regions and a $6.3 million increase in other direct costs primarily as a result of pre-operational cost release for the U.K. SAR contract and other contract services.
Reimbursable expense decreased 18.1%, or $5.2 million, to $23.4 million in the Current Quarter from $28.5 million in the Comparable Quarter primarily due a decline in activity and a contract amendment in our Europe Caspian region.
Depreciation and amortization increased 36.8% or $8.7 million, to $32.3 million for the Current Quarter from $23.6 million for the Comparable Quarter. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily due to additional depreciation of $5.0 million as a result of fleet changes for older aircraft, an increase of $2.3 million due to information technology projects placed into service since the prior year and $1.2 million due to the addition of Airnorth.
General and administrative expense decreased 17.9%, or $13.0 million, to $59.5 million for the Current Quarter from $72.5 million for the Comparable Quarter primarily due to a decrease in compensation expense of $12.3 million driven by management’s decision to not award short-term bonuses for fiscal year 2016 and a decrease in professional fees of $4.3 million, partially offset by severance expense of $4.5 million.
Loss on impairment for the Comparable Quarter includes $3.8 million of inventory impairments.
Loss on disposal of assets increased $24.2 million, to a loss of $2.2 million for the Current Quarter from a loss of $26.3 million for the Comparable Quarter. The loss on disposal of assets in the Current Quarter included a loss of $2.2 million from the sale or disposal of three aircraft and other equipment. During the Comparable Quarter, the loss on disposal of assets included a loss of $0.7 million from the sale of three aircraft and other equipment and impairment charges totaling $25.6 million related to 12 held for sale aircraft.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, increased $8.7 million to earnings of $7.7 million for the Current Quarter from a loss of $1.0 million in the Comparable Quarter. The increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, primarily resulted from a $9.4 million improvement from Líder primarily due to a $1.0 million favorable impact from foreign currency rate changes in the Current Quarter compared to a $7.7 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency rate changes in the Comparable Quarter. The Brazilian real appreciated 0.6% versus the U.S. dollar in the Current Quarter compared with a devaluation of 9.4% in the Comparable Quarter.
Interest expense, net, increased 36.7%, or $2.6 million, to $9.5 million in the Current Quarter from $7.0 million in the Comparable Quarter primarily due to higher interest expense and lower capitalized interest resulting from a decrease in construction in progress in the Current Quarter, partially offset by lower amortization of debt discount. Additionally, we wrote-off $0.2 million of unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 6 ¼% Senior Notes, which was included in interest expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations in the Comparable Quarter.
Other income (expense), net increased $5.9 million to $0.7 million in the Current Quarter from a loss of $5.2 million in the Comparable Quarter primarily due to unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the Comparable Quarter. During the Comparable Quarter, we incurred $0.7 million in premium and fees for the repurchase of a portion of our 6 ¼% Senior Notes, which is included in other income (expense), net on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
For further details on income tax expense, see “Region Operating Results – Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter – Taxes” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

62

The impact of the severance costs, additional depreciation expense and tax valuation allowance discussed above have been identified as special items for the Current Quarter. In the Comparable Quarter, the impact of the costs associated with the gain on the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate, an accounting correction, the inventory allowances, the repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes (the repurchase premium and write-off of deferred financing fees) and an accrued maintenance cost reversal were identified as special items. These items in the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter have been identified as special items as they are not considered by management to be part of our ongoing operations when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the organization. The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2015
 
Adjusted
Operating
Income
 
Adjusted
EBITDAR
 
Adjusted
Net Income
 
Adjusted
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Severance costs
$
(7,348
)
 
$
(7,348
)
 
$
(5,370
)
 
$
(0.15
)
Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes
(5,043
)
 
—

 
(3,774
)
 
(0.11
)
Tax valuation allowance
—

 
—

 
(9,529
)
 
(0.27
)
Total special items
$
(12,391
)
 
$
(7,348
)
 
$
(18,673
)
 
(0.53
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
Adjusted
Operating
Income
 
Adjusted
EBITDAR
 
Adjusted
Net Income
 
Adjusted
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
$
—

 
$
3,921

 
$
2,549

 
$
0.07

Impairment of inventories
(3,805
)
 
(3,805
)
 
(3,044
)
 
(0.09
)
Repurchase of 6 ¼% Senior Notes
—

 
(690
)
 
(594
)
 
(0.02
)
Accounting correction
(5,325
)
 
(5,325
)
 
(4,207
)
 
(0.12
)
Accrued maintenance cost reversal
813

 
813

 
642

 
0.02

Total special items
$
(8,317
)
 
$
(5,086
)
 
$
(4,654
)
 
(0.13
)

Current Period Compared to Comparable Period
For the Current Period, we reported operating loss of $2.9 million, net loss of $47.2 million and diluted loss per share of $1.40 compared to operating income of $118.2 million, net income of $69.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.94 for the Comparable Period. Our results for the Current Period were significantly impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which lowered net income and diluted earnings per share by $21.6 million and $0.62, respectively. Our results for the Comparable Period were also significantly impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which lowered net income and diluted earnings per share by $21.8 million and $0.61, respectively. These impacts were primarily reflected in a $14.3 million and a $12.7 million after-tax reduction in our earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, as results related to Líder were impacted by a 17.9% and 15.8% devaluation in the Brazilian real versus the U.S. dollar for the Current Period and Comparable Period, respectively. Net loss for the Current Period was also impacted by a $15.0 million, or $0.42 per share, non-cash adjustment related to the valuation of deferred tax assets.
In addition to the foreign currency losses and tax charges, net loss for the Current Period was also significantly impacted by the following items:
•
Severance expense of $16.8 million (including $9.6 million recorded in direct costs and $7.2 million recorded in general and administrative expense) related to separation programs across our global organization designed to increase efficiency and cut cost,
•
A loss on disposal of assets of $18.4 million (primarily consisting of impairment charges on aircraft of $17.0 million) and accelerated depreciation expense related to a softening aircraft sales aftermarket and changes in the planned timing of exits from aircraft model types in our fleet of $15.5 million and $3.8 million of impairment charges on inventory, and
•
An impairment of goodwill of $25.0 million (included in loss on impairment) related to our Bristow Norway reporting unit within our Europe Caspian region ($13.5 million) and Bristow Academy reporting unit within Corporate and other ($11.5 million).

63

Additionally, diluted loss per share was further decreased by adjustments in the accretion amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests in Eastern Airways and Airnorth.
Excluding these items, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $92.1 million, $47.2 million and $1.34, respectively, for the Current Period. The adjusted results compare to adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $161.3 million, $102.2 million and $2.87, respectively, for the Comparable Period.
In addition to foreign currency losses and tax charges discussed above, our net loss for the Current Period was impacted by a decline in oil and gas activity across all regions and a $42.9 million increase in rent expense primarily related to an increase in the number of aircraft leased compared to the Comparable Period, including those for the U.K. SAR contract. Additionally, the Comparable Period's net income benefited from the reversal of $3.5 million of bad debt expense in our Americas region related to a client that had previously filed for bankruptcy for which we subsequently settled and collected funds while the Current Period's net loss was impacted by $4.7 million of bad debt expense in our Africa and Asia Pacific regions.
The decline in our results was partially offset by the positive impact from the addition of Airnorth in Australia, the startup of new contracts across all regions, including the U.K. SAR contract in our Europe Caspian region and cost reduction efforts across our global organization.
Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin, which is adjusted for the same items discussed above and excludes the impact of changes in rent expense and tax charges, was $330.7 million and 26.4%, respectively, in the Current Period compared to $347.5 million and 26.6% in the Comparable Period, respectively. Excluding the foreign currency impact in the Current Period and the Comparable Period, adjusted EBITDAR would have been $354.7 million and $375.1 million, respectively, and adjusted EBITDAR margin would have been 28.3% and 28.3%, respectively. This decrease in adjusted EBITDAR and increase in adjusted EBITDAR margin reflects the decline in oil and gas activity and revenue, partially offset by the start-up of U.K. SAR, the addition of Airnorth and cost reduction efforts. Additionally, the increase in bad debt expense of $10.1 million also contributed to the decrease in adjusted EBITDAR from the Comparable Period to the Current Period.
Gross revenue decreased 5.3%, or $74.5 million, to $1.3 billion for the Current Period from $1.4 billion for the Comparable Period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates resulted in an $83.9 million decrease in gross revenue year-over-year. This decrease was more than offset by positive contribution from the acquisition of Airnorth in our Asia Pacific region in January 2015, contributing $61.1 million of operating revenue in the Current Period, and the addition of the U.K. SAR contract and a new oil and gas contract in our Europe Caspian region, contributing $77.2 million and $41.8 million, respectively, in operating revenue in the Current Period. Excluding these new contributors to revenue, the overall oil and gas activity associated with the market downturn declined and drove our overall flight hours down globally.
Direct costs increased 3.9%, or $34.9 million, to $926.4 million for the Current Period from $891.5 million for the Comparable Period primarily due to a $44.6 million increase in rent expense primarily related to additional leased aircraft, an $13.9 million increase in direct costs due to a contract amendment in our Europe Caspian region which resulted in an offsetting decline in reimbursable expense, an increase in bad debt expense of $10.1 million, an increase in severance expense of $12.0 million and a $4.4 million increase in insurance expense, partially offset by a $19.1 million decline in maintenance costs primarily due to lower activity, a $29.1 million decline in salaries and benefits due to a decrease in headcount across all regions and a reduction in inventory consignment fees of $2.8 million due to lower consignment rates.
Reimbursable expense declined 19.3%, or $18.2 million, to $76.2 million in the Current Period from $94.5 million in the Comparable Period primarily due a decline in activity and a contract amendment in our Europe Caspian region.
Depreciation and amortization increased 38.5%, or $29.7 million, to $106.9 million for the Current Period from $77.2 million for the Comparable Period. This increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily due to additional depreciation of $22.4 million as a result of fleet changes for older aircraft, an increase of $5.0 million due to information technology projects placed into service since the prior year and an increase of $3.5 million due to the addition of Airnorth.

64

General and administrative expense decreased 10.5%, or $20.4 million, to $174.3 million for the Current Period from $194.7 million for the Comparable Period primarily due to a decrease in compensation expense of $20.5 million driven by management’s decision to not award short-term bonuses for fiscal year 2016, a decline in stock price during the Current Period resulting in a reduction in the accrual for the performance cash plan year-over-year and $5.5 million in expense related to CEO succession recorded in the Comparable Period and a decrease in training and seminars of $4.2 million due to systems implementation training costs incurred in the Comparable Period, partially offset by $9.0 million in severance expense.
Loss on impairment for the Current Period includes $22.3 million of goodwill impairment related to our Bristow Norway reporting unit within our Europe Caspian region ($12.1 million) and Bristow Academy reporting unit within our Corporate and other region ($10.2 million) and $5.4 million of inventory impairments. For further details, see “Executive Overview – Market Outlook – Recent Events – Goodwill Impairment.” Loss on impairment for the Comparable Period includes $7.2 million of inventory impairments.
Loss on disposal of assets decreased $1.7 million to a loss of $23.9 million for the Current Period from a loss of $25.6 million for the Comparable Period. The loss on disposal of assets in the Current Period included impairment charges totaling $22.0 million related to 11 held for sale aircraft and a loss of $1.8 million from the sale of aircraft and other equipment. During the Comparable Period, the loss on disposal of assets included impairment charges totaling $28.8 million related to 18 held for sale aircraft partially offset by a gain of $3.2 million from the sale of 26 aircraft and other equipment.
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, decreased $1.8 million to a loss of $1.4 million for the Current Period from earnings of $0.4 million in the Comparable Period. The decrease in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses, primarily resulted from an increase in losses from investment in Líder in Brazil to $0.7 million of losses in the Current Period from $0.3 million in losses in the Comparable Period primarily due to an increase in unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates and decline in activity. Our earnings from Líder in the Current Period and Comparable Period were reduced by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates changes of $17.2 million and $16.1 million, respectively.
Interest expense, net, increased 12.5%, or $2.7 million, to $24.4 million in the Current Period from $21.7 million in the Comparable Period primarily due a decrease in capitalized interest resulting from a decrease in construction in progress during the Current Period. Additionally, we wrote-off $0.7 million of unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 6 ¼% Senior Notes, which was included in interest expense on our condensed consolidated statements of operations in the Comparable Period.
Other income (expense), net decreased $2.2 million to a loss of $6.9 million in the Current Period from a loss of $9.1 million in the Comparable Period. During the Comparable Period, we incurred $2.6 million in premium and fees for the repurchase of a portion of our 6 ¼% Senior Notes, which is included in other income (expense), net on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
For further details on income tax expense, see “Region Operating Results – Current Period Compared to Comparable Period – Taxes” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

65

The impact of the severance costs, additional depreciation expense related to fleet changes, impairment of inventories, impairment of goodwill, tax valuation allowance and the adjustments to accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests have been identified as special items for the Current Period. In the Comparable Period, the impact of the costs associated with the gain on the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate, North America restructuring, CEO succession costs, inventory allowances, the repurchase of a portion of our 6¼% Senior Notes (the repurchase premium and write-off of deferred financing fees), an accounting correction and the accrued maintenance cost reversal were identified as special items. These items in the Current Period and Comparable Period have been identified as special items as they are not considered by management to be part of our ongoing operations when assessing and measuring the operational and financial performance of the organization. The impact of these items on our adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDAR, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31, 2015
 
Adjusted
Operating
Income
 
Adjusted
EBITDAR
 
Adjusted
Net Income
 
Adjusted
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Severance costs
$
(21,039
)
 
$
(21,039
)
 
$
(16,758
)
 
$
(0.47
)
Additional depreciation expense resulting from fleet changes
(22,446
)
 
—

 
(15,532
)
 
(0.44
)
Impairment of inventories
(5,439
)
 
(5,439
)
 
(3,764
)
 
(0.11
)
Goodwill impairment
(22,274
)
 
(22,274
)
 
(24,996
)
 
(0.71
)
Tax valuation allowance
—

 
—

 
(14,964
)
 
(0.42
)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.04
)
Total special items
$
(71,198
)
 
$
(48,752
)
 
$
(76,014
)
 
(2.20
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31, 2014
Adjusted
Operating
Income
 
Adjusted
EBITDAR
 
Adjusted
Net Income
 
Adjusted
Diluted
Earnings
Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate
$
—

 
$
3,921

 
$
2,549

 
$
0.07

North America restructuring
(1,611
)
 
(1,611
)
 
(1,047
)
 
(0.03
)
CEO succession
(5,501
)
 
(5,501
)
 
(3,576
)
 
(0.10
)
Impairment of inventories
(7,167
)
 
(7,167
)
 
(5,734
)
 
(0.16
)
Repurchase of 6 ¼% Senior Notes
—

 
(2,591
)
 
(2,113
)
 
(0.06
)
Accounting correction
(4,071
)
 
(4,071
)
 
(3,216
)
 
(0.09
)
Accrued maintenance cost reversal
813

 
813

 
642

 
0.02

Total special items
$
(17,537
)
 
$
(16,207
)
 
$
(12,495
)
 
(0.35
)

66

Region Operating Results
The following tables set forth certain operating information for the regions comprising our Helicopter Services segment. Intercompany lease revenue and expense are eliminated from our segment reporting, and depreciation expense of aircraft is presented in the region that operates the aircraft.
Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter
Set forth below is a discussion of the operations of our regions. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.
Europe Caspian
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
192,400

 
$
195,617

 
$
(3,217
)
 
(1.6
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
93

 
$
212

 
$
(119
)
 
(56.1
)%
 
 
Operating income
 
$
26,986

 
$
28,550

 
$
(1,564
)
 
(5.5
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
14.0
%
 
14.6
%
 
(0.6
)%
 
(4.1
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
66,062

 
$
64,107

 
$
1,955

 
3.0
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
34.3
%
 
32.8
%
 
1.5
 %
 
4.6
 %
 
The Europe Caspian region comprises all of our operations and affiliates in Europe and Central Asia, including Norway, the U.K. and Turkmenistan.
Operating revenue for the Current Quarter reflects the impact from the downturn in the oil and gas industry, which has resulted in decreased activity levels with our oil and gas clients. Additionally, a substantial portion of our operations in the Europe Caspian region are contracted in British pound sterling and Norwegian kroner, both of which weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar since the Comparable Quarter. Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in an $8.7 million reduction in revenue for our Europe Caspian region year-over-year. Partially offsetting the year-over-year decrease in operating revenue was the startup of two U.K. SAR bases in April 2015, one base in July 2015, one base in August 2015 and one base in October 2015, which contributed $35.7 million in additional operating revenue, and the addition of a new oil and gas contract that commenced operations in late fiscal year 2015 and contributed $13.7 million in operating revenue in the Current Quarter.
Operating income and operating margin were impacted by the decline in revenue, partially offset by a decline in fuel of $4.1 million and maintenance expense of $1.3 million as part of cost reduction initiatives. Included in the decrease in maintenance expense is the recovery of $6.0 million from an original equipment manufacturer provided in the form of maintenance credits resulting from a settlement for aircraft performance issues. Additionally, since the Comparable Quarter we have added two leased aircraft in our Europe Caspian region primarily in support of the U.K. SAR contract, which resulted in a $3.2 million increase in rent expense. The increase in rent expense was the primary driver of the year-over-year decrease in operating income and operating margin.
Adjusted EBITDAR increased in the Current Quarter and includes a positive impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $1.0 million. Given the impact on revenue in addition to adjusted EBITDAR, the changes in foreign currency exchange rates had minimal impact on adjusted EBITDAR margin. Adjusted EBITDAR margin, which excludes rent expense, improved year-over-year with the start-up of U.K. SAR bases and cost reduction activities, partially offset by the impact from the downturn in the oil and gas industry.
Eastern Airways contributed $27.3 million and $34.8 million in operating revenue and $4.5 million and $5.4 million in adjusted EBITDAR for the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter, respectively.
In July 2015, we took further action in response to weak market conditions by initiating an involuntary separation program in this region. This program, combined with a prior voluntary separation program, resulted in $1.9 million in severance expense during the Current Quarter, which is also excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin. We expect the offshore energy market in this region to continue to be challenging; however, we recently won a new tender and contract extension, and are awaiting results of other tenders in this market. Additionally, two bases commenced operations under the U.K. SAR contract in January 2016.


67

Africa
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
61,786

 
$
86,330

 
$
(24,544
)

(28.4
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
43

 
$
43

 
$
—

 
—
 %
 
 
Operating income
 
$
4,377

 
$
26,379

 
$
(22,002
)
 
(83.4
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
7.1
%
 
30.6
%
 
(23.5
)%
 
(76.8
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
18,162

 
$
29,785

 
$
(11,623
)
 
(39.0
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
29.4
%
 
34.5
%
 
(5.1
)%
 
(14.8
)%
 
The Africa region comprises all of our operations and affiliates on the African continent, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Egypt.
Operating revenue for Africa decreased due to an overall decrease in activity compared to the Comparable Quarter driven by the downturn in the oil and gas industry. Activity declined with some customers and certain contracts ended, reducing revenue by $27.0 million, which was partially offset by a $2.5 million increase in activity from other contracts.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBTIDAR margin decreased in the Current Quarter primarily due to the decrease in activity discussed above, and operating income and operating margin were also impacted by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $5.0 million as a result of management's decision to exit certain older aircraft fleet types operating in this market sooner than originally anticipated. Additionally, during the Current Quarter we recorded $1.7 million of bad debt expense. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in salaries and benefits expense of $5.9 million, decrease in maintenance expense of $2.3 million and decrease in training, travel and meals of $1.9 million due to cost reduction initiatives implemented in this region. Additionally, during the Current Quarter we recorded $1.5 million in severance expense resulting from voluntary and involuntary separation programs which is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin declined primarily due to the decrease in activity discussed above combined with the bad debt expense recorded during the Current Quarter, partially offset by the cost reduction initiatives and a benefit of $3.8 million from a positive impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
As previously discussed, we have seen recent changes in the Africa market as a result of new competitors entering this market. Additionally, changing regulations and the changing political environment have made and are expected to continue to make our operating results from Nigeria unpredictable. Market uncertainty related to the oil and gas downturn has continued in this region putting smaller clients under pressure as activity declines. We implemented cost reduction measures in advance of the activity reduction and expect additional efficiencies in the future.
On February 3, 2016, a Sikorsky S-76C++ operated by us was involved in a controlled water landing with minor injuries reported for the nine passengers and two crew onboard the aircraft. The cause(s) of the incident remain unknown at this time. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation to determine the cause. Following standard practice and out of an abundance of caution, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (“NCAA”) has advised us to temporarily suspend operation of the 16 Sikorsky S-76C model aircraft we operate in Nigeria until they complete their review of our operations and meetings with our management. We are currently unable to predict how much of a negative impact this incident and the resulting temporary suspension of operations could have on our future business, financial condition and results of operations.

68

Americas
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
72,068

 
$
88,286

 
$
(16,218
)
 
(18.4
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
7,556

 
$
(1,213
)
 
$
8,769

 
*

 
 
Operating income
 
$
22,797

 
$
19,774

 
$
3,023

 
15.3
 %
 
 
Operating margin
 
31.6
%
 
22.4
%
 
9.2
%
 
41.1
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
35,908

 
$
33,233

 
$
2,675

 
8.0
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
49.8
%
 
37.6
%
 
12.2
%
 
32.4
 %
 
______ 
* percentage change not meaningful
The Americas region comprises all our operations and affiliates in North America and South America, including Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Operating revenue decreased in the Current Quarter primarily due to a decline in the number of small and medium aircraft on contract and reduction in flight hours for large aircraft in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which reduced operating revenue by $15.9 million, and a decrease of $1.7 million from Brazil due to fewer aircraft leased to Líder.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin in the Current Quarter were positively impacted by an increase of $9.4 million in earnings from our investment in Líder in Brazil. Earnings from our investment in Líder were increased by $1.0 million and reduced by $7.7 million in the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter, respectively, as a result of foreign currency exchange rate changes. Excluding this impact, our earnings from our investment in Líder would have been $7.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and our adjusted EBITDAR for the Americas region would have been $35.0 million (48.5% adjusted EBITDAR margin) and $40.9 million (46.4% adjusted EBITDAR margin), respectively, in the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter. This year-over-year decrease excluding foreign currency exchange rate changes primarily resulted from a decline in activity during the Current Quarter. See further discussion about our investment in Líder and the Brazil market in “Executive Overview – Market Outlook” and “– Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were impacted by the decrease in activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits of $5.5 million and a decrease in maintenance expense of $4.4 million. We also recorded severance expense, included in salaries and benefits in the Current Quarter, of $0.5 million. The severance expense recorded during the Current Quarter is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
Asia Pacific
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
67,402

 
$
59,212

 
$
8,190

 
13.8
 %
 
 
Operating income
 
$
458

 
$
5,264

 
$
(4,806
)
 
(91.3
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
0.7
%
 
8.9
%
 
(8.2
)%
 
(92.1
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
16,599

 
$
14,511

 
$
2,088

 
14.4
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
24.6
%
 
24.5
%
 
0.1
 %
 
0.4
 %
 
The Asia Pacific region comprises all our operations and affiliates in Australia and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Sakhalin.
In January 2015, Bristow Australia acquired an 85% interest in Airnorth and in November 2015, purchased the remaining 15% of the outstanding shares of Airnorth. Airnorth contributed $17.9 million in operating revenue and $5.2 million in adjusted EBITDAR for the Current Quarter. Operating revenue also increased by $8.5 million from new contracts in Australia, including an increase of the number of aircraft on the INPEX contract, offset by $10.5 million less revenue due to the ending of short-term contracts in Australia and a $2.6 million decline in Russia. A substantial portion of our operations in the Asia Pacific region are contracted in the Australian dollar, which has weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar since the Comparable Quarter. Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a reduction in revenue for our Asia Pacific region of $4.4 million year-over-year.

69

Operating income and operating margin declined primarily due an increase in lease costs of $2.3 million, salaries and benefits of $2.2 million and maintenance expense of $2.2 million. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin increased primarily due to the acquisition of Airnorth, partially offset by bad debt expense of $1.0 million recorded during the Current Quarter. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were positively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased adjusted EBITDAR by $4.9 million compared to the Comparable Quarter. Excluding the impact of the foreign currency rate changes, adjusted EBITDAR margin would have been 21.6% and 26.8%, respectively, in the Current Quarter and Comparable Quarter.
During the Current Quarter, we recorded $0.2 million in severance expense, which is not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin for the Current Quarter.
Corporate and Other
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
3,609

 
$
1,942

 
$
1,667

 
85.8
%
 
 
Operating loss
 
$
(30,387
)
 
$
(44,720
)
 
$
14,333

 
32.1
%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
(19,824
)
 
$
(32,580
)
 
$
12,756

 
39.2
%
 
Corporate and other includes our Bristow Academy operations, supply chain management and corporate costs that have not been allocated out to other regions.
Operating revenue increased primarily due to an increase in third party part sales of $1.2 million and the correction of error in the Comparable Quarter discussed below, which decreased operating revenue by $3.5 million in the Comparable Quarter, partially offset by a decrease in Bristow Academy revenue of $2.9 million.
Corporate operating expense primarily represents costs associated with our corporate office and other general and administrative costs not allocated to our regions. Operating loss for the Comparable Quarter included impairment of inventories totaling $3.8 million, which is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR. Additionally, as part of our cost reduction activities, management decided to not award bonuses during fiscal year 2016 resulting in a decline of $7.0 million in compensation expense from the Comparable Quarter.
During the Current Quarter we recorded severance expense of $3.1 million related to voluntary and involuntary separation plans, and during the Comparable Quarter we recorded an accounting correction that had a negative impact of $5.3 million, both of which are excluded from adjusted EBITDAR.
During the Comparable Quarter, we determined that we had been improperly capitalizing profit on intercompany technical services billings related to aircraft modifications. To correct this error, we reduced property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, by $4.4 million and increased deferred gains on aircraft sold and leased back included within other long-term liabilities by $0.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The offsetting impact on our condensed consolidated statements of income for the Comparable Quarter was a reduction in revenue of $3.5 million, an increase in direct cost of $2.0 million and a reduction in depreciation and amortization of $0.2 million. The error was not material to our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 or our previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements for any period.

70

Interest Expense, Net
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Interest income
 
$
181

 
$
118

 
$
63

 
53.4
 %
 
 
Interest expense
 
(11,043
)
 
(8,591
)
 
(2,452
)
 
(28.5
)%
 
 
Amortization of debt discount
 
(27
)
 
(1,063
)
 
1,036

 
97.5
 %
 
 
Amortization of debt fees
 
(794
)
 
(717
)
 
(77
)
 
(10.7
)%
 
 
Capitalized interest
 
2,147

 
3,277

 
(1,130
)
 
(34.5
)%
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
$
(9,536
)
 
$
(6,976
)
 
$
(2,560
)
 
(36.7
)%
 
The increase in interest expense, net in the Current Quarter is primarily due to higher interest expense and less capitalized interest resulting from lower construction in progress partially offset by less amortization of debt discount. Additionally, we wrote-off deferred financing fees of $0.2 million related to the repurchase of $17.2 million of our 6¼% Senior Notes in the Comparable Quarter.
Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Foreign currency gains (losses)
 
$
616

 
$
(4,578
)
 
$
5,194

 
113.5
%
 
 
Other
 
34

 
(645
)
 
679

 
105.3
%
 
 
Other income (expense), net
 
$
650

 
$
(5,223
)
 
$
5,873

 
112.4
%
 
Other income (expense), net increased primarily due to the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Additionally, other income (expense), net in the Comparable Quarter included $0.7 million in premiums and fees as a result of the repurchase of $17.2 million of our 6 ¼% Senior Notes. The foreign currency gains within other income (expense), net are reflected within adjusted EBITDAR of the regions discussed above, with the $0.6 million gains in the Current Quarter being reflected primarily within the Corporate and other ($2.6 million), Asia Pacific region ($2.4 million) and Africa ($1.2 million) partially offset by losses within the Europe Caspian region ($5.2 million) and the $4.6 million of losses in the Comparable Quarter being reflected primarily within the Europe Caspian region ($3.0 million), Africa region ($1.8 million), Asia Pacific region ($1.4 million), partially offset by gains within Corporate and other ($1.7 million).
Taxes
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Effective tax rate
73.0
%
 
88.9
%
 
15.9
%
 
17.9
 %
 
 
Net foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings
$
(2,494
)
 
$
4,646

 
$
7,140

 
153.7
 %
 
 
Benefit of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad
$
(9,694
)
 
$
(7,882
)
 
$
1,812

 
23.0
 %
 
 
Utilization of foreign tax credits
$
—

 
$
(2,592
)
 
$
(2,592
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
 
Change in valuation allowance
$
9,529

 
$
740

 
$
(8,789
)
 
*

 
______ 
 * percentage change not meaningful
In accordance with GAAP, we estimate the full-year effective tax rate from continuing operations and apply this rate to our year-to-date income from continuing operations. In addition, we separately calculate the tax impact of unusual or infrequent items, if any. The tax impacts of such unusual or infrequent items are treated discretely in the quarter in which they occur. During the Current Quarter, we increased our valuation allowance by $9.5 million which also impacted our effective tax rate.
The relationship between our provision for or benefit from income taxes and our pre-tax book income can vary significantly from period to period considering, among other factors, (a) the overall level of pre-tax book income, (b) changes in the blend of income that is taxed based on gross revenues or at high effective tax rates versus pre-tax book income or at low effective tax rates and (c) our geographical blend of pre-tax book income. Consequently, our income tax expense does not change proportionally

71

with our pre-tax book income. Significant decreases in our pre-tax book income typically result in higher effective tax rates, while significant increases in pre-tax book income can lead to lower effective tax rates, subject to the other factors impacting income tax expense noted above. In the Current Quarter, our unfavorable permanent differences, such as valuation allowances had the effect of increasing our income tax expense.
Current Period Compared to Comparable Period
Set forth below is a discussion of the operations of our regions. Our consolidated results are discussed under “Results of Operations” above.

Europe Caspian
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
603,397

 
$
613,216

 
$
(9,819
)
 
(1.6
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
345

 
$
1,109

 
$
(764
)
 
(68.9
)%
 
 
Operating income
 
$
56,243

 
$
111,372

 
$
(55,129
)
 
(49.5
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
9.3
%
 
18.2
%
 
(8.9
)%
 
(48.9
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
198,621

 
$
205,357

 
$
(6,736
)
 
(3.3
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
32.9
%
 
33.5
%
 
(0.6
)%
 
(1.8
)%
 
A substantial portion of our operations in the Europe Caspian region are contracted in British pound sterling and Norwegian kroner, both of which weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar since the Comparable Period. Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a $54.2 million reduction in revenue for our Europe Caspian region year-over-year. Additionally, operating revenue for the Current Period reflects an impact from the downturn in the oil and gas industry, which has resulted in decreased activity levels with our oil and gas clients. Partially offsetting the year-over-year decrease in operating revenue was the startup of two U.K. SAR bases in April 2015, one base in July 2015, one base in August 2015 and one base in October 2015, which contributed $77.2 million in additional operating revenue, and the addition of a new oil and gas contract that commenced operations in late fiscal year 2015 and contributed $41.8 million in operating revenue in the Current Period.
Operating income and operating margin were significantly impacted by an impairment of goodwill for operations in Norway totaling $12.1 million during the Current Period, which resulted from reduced operating results. For additional details on the impairment of goodwill, see Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Additionally, towards the end of the Comparable Period we added leased aircraft in our Europe Caspian region primarily in support of the U.K. SAR contract, which resulted in a $33.1 million increase in rent expense. The increase in rent expense and the goodwill impairment were the primary drivers of the year-over-year decrease in operating income and operating margin. Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which reduced operating income by $0.8 million and adjusted EBITDAR by $10.1 million compared to the Comparable Period. Given the impact on revenue in addition to operating income and adjusted EBITDAR, the changes in foreign currency exchange rate had minimal impact on operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin. Adjusted EBITDAR margin declined slightly compared to the Comparable Period with the impact from the downturn in the offshore energy market being partially offset by the start-up of U.K. SAR bases and cost reduction activities. The involuntary separation program initiated in July 2015, combined with a prior voluntary separation program, resulted in $6.2 million in severance expense during the Current Period, which is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
Additionally, operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin in the Current Period and Comparable Period benefited from the recovery of $10.5 million and $9.7 million, respectively, in credits for maintenance expense from an original equipment manufacturer resulting from settlement for aircraft performance and transportation costs.
Eastern Airways contributed $94.3 million and $114.2 million in operating revenue and $19.8 million and $24.4 million in adjusted EBITDAR for the Current Period and Comparable Period, respectively.
For further discussion of additional matters related to operations in Europe Caspian, see “– Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter – Europe Caspian” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

72

Africa
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
202,885

 
$
255,665

 
$
(52,780
)
 
(20.6
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
43

 
$
43

 
$
—

 
—
 %
 
 
Operating income
 
$
24,903

 
$
63,672

 
$
(38,769
)
 
(60.9
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
12.3
%
 
24.9
%
 
(12.6
)%
 
(50.6
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
60,877

 
$
77,680

 
$
(16,803
)
 
(21.6
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
30.0
%
 
30.4
%
 
(0.4
)%
 
(1.3
)%
 
Operating revenue for Africa decreased due to an overall decrease in activity compared to the Comparable Period driven by the downturn in the oil and gas industry. Activity declined with some customers and certain contracts ended, reducing revenue by $56.2 million, which was only partially offset by a $3.5 million increase due to new contracts.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin decreased in the Current Period primarily due to the decline in activity, $4.7 million of bad debt expense recorded in the Current Period and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $12.7 million primarily as a result of management's decision to exit certain aircraft fleet types operating in this market sooner than originally anticipated. Offsetting these declines were a decrease in salaries and benefits expense of $14.8 million, decrease in maintenance expense of $6.7 million, decrease in training expense of $2.1 million and decrease in travel and meals expense of $1.7 million due to cost reduction initiatives implemented in this region. Additionally, during the Current Period we recorded $5.2 million in severance expense resulting from voluntary and involuntary separation programs, which is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin. The decline in adjusted EBITDAR margin was primarily driven by the $4.7 million of bad debt expense recorded in the Current Period.
For further discussion of additional matters related to operations in Africa, see “– Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter – Africa” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Americas
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
225,283

 
$
266,137

 
$
(40,854
)
 
(15.4
)%
 
 
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
 
$
(1,760
)
 
$
(733
)
 
$
(1,027
)
 
(140.1
)%
 
 
Operating income
 
$
30,283

 
$
59,998

 
$
(29,715
)
 
(49.5
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
13.4
%
 
22.5
%
 
(9.1
)%
 
(40.4
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
76,645

 
$
101,113

 
$
(24,468
)
 
(24.2
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
34.0
%
 
38.0
%
 
(4.0
)%
 
(10.5
)%
 
______ 
 * percentage change not meaningful
Operating revenue decreased primarily due to a decrease in the number of small and medium aircraft on contract in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which reduced operating revenue by $35.0 million in the Current Period, a decrease of $5.9 million in Brazil due to fewer aircraft leased to Líder and a decrease of $2.7 million in Trinidad primarily due to the end of a contract.
Operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were significantly negatively impacted by unfavorable exchange rate changes in the Current and Comparable Periods reducing our earnings from our investment in Líder. Earnings from our investment in Líder were reduced by $17.2 million and $16.1 million in the Current Period and Comparable Period, respectively, as a result of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate changes. Excluding this impact, our earnings from our investment in Líder would have been $16.6 million and $15.8 million, respectively, and our adjusted EBITDAR for the Americas region would have been $93.8 million (41.7% adjusted EBITDAR margin) and $117.2 million (44.0% adjusted EBITDAR margin), respectively, in the Current Period and Comparable Period. This year-over-year decrease primarily resulted from a decline in activity during the Current Period. See further discussion about our investment in Líder and the Brazil market in “Executive Overview – Market Outlook” and “– Current Quarter Compared to Comparable Quarter” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

73

In addition to the decrease from our investment in Líder, operating income, operating margin, adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were impacted by a decrease in activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the reversal of $4.4 million of bad debt expense in the Comparable Period discussed below, and operating income and operating margin were impacted by an increase in depreciation and amortization of $4.5 million in the Current Period. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits of $16.0 million and a decrease in maintenance expense of $7.4 million. We recorded accelerated depreciation expense on aircraft exiting our fleet in the Current Period of $4.5 million, which is reflected in the increase in depreciation and amortization. We also recorded severance expense, included in salaries and benefits in the Current Period, of $2.0 million. Depreciation and amortization, including the accelerated depreciation, and the severance expense recorded during the Current Period are excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
During the Comparable Period, we reversed $4.4 million of bad debt expense in the Americas region related to a client that had previously filed for bankruptcy for which we subsequently settled and collected funds and we recorded $1.6 million in costs associated with the restructuring of this region and planned closure of our Alaska operations which related primarily to employee severance and retention costs. The $1.6 million in restructuring costs in the Comparable Period is excluded from adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin.
Asia Pacific
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
214,177

 
$
168,714

 
$
45,463

 
26.9
 %
 
 
Operating income
 
$
4,783

 
$
11,055

 
$
(6,272
)
 
(56.7
)%
 
 
Operating margin
 
2.2
%
 
6.6
%
 
(4.4
)%
 
(66.7
)%
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
49,994

 
$
39,839

 
$
10,155

 
25.5
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR margin
 
23.3
%
 
23.6
%
 
(0.3
)%
 
(1.3
)%
 
In January 2015, Bristow Australia acquired an 85% interest in Airnorth and in November 2015, purchased the remaining 15% of the outstanding shares of Airnorth. Airnorth contributed $61.1 million in operating revenue and $16.1 million in adjusted EBITDAR for the Current Period. Operating revenue also increased by $57.6 million from new contracts in Australia, including the INPEX contract which started late in the June 2014 quarter, offset by $46.4 million due to the ending of short-term contracts in Australia and a $6.6 million decrease in Russia. A substantial portion of our operations in the Asia Pacific region are contracted in the Australian dollar, which has weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar since the Comparable Period. Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a reduction in on our revenue for our Asia Pacific region of $20.8 million year-over-year.
Operating income and operating margin decreased primarily due to an increase in costs of helicopter operations in this region, including depreciation and amortization expense of $4.8 million, maintenance expense of $12.2 million and rent expense of $10.7 million, partially offset by the contribution from the addition of Airnorth. Adjusted EBITDAR improved primarily due to the addition of Airnorth, partially offset by the inclusion of $4.6 million in credits for maintenance expense from our original equipment manufacturer recorded during the Comparable Period as settlements for aircraft performance and transportation costs. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin exclude the impact of increased rent expense from the additional aircraft on lease in the Current Period.
During the Current Period, we recorded additional depreciation expense of $6.3 million for four large aircraft operating in this region due to management's decision to exit these fleet types earlier than originally anticipated and $1.6 million in severance expense. The $1.6 million in severance expense is not included in adjusted EBITDAR or adjusted EBITDAR margin for the Current Period. Adjusted EBITDAR and adjusted EBITDAR margin were negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased adjusted EBITDAR by $0.7 million compared to the Comparable Period and bad debt expense of $1.0 million recorded during the Current Period. Excluding the impact of these foreign currency rate changes, adjusted EBITDAR margin would have been 23.6% and 24.4% in the Current and Comparable Periods, respectively, slightly lower than the Comparable Period. This decline in adjusted EBITDAR margin relates to the inclusion of $4.6 million in credits for maintenance expense from our original equipment manufacturer recorded during the Comparable Period as settlements for aircraft performance and transportation costs and $1.0 million of bad debt expense recorded in the Current Period, partially offset by addition of Airnorth in the Current Period. Before the benefit of the maintenance credits utilized during the Comparable Period, adjusted EBITDAR margin was 20.9%.

74

Corporate and Other
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Operating revenue
 
$
18,542

 
$
20,142

 
$
(1,600
)
 
(7.9
)%
 
 
Operating loss
 
$
(95,278
)
 
$
(102,331
)
 
$
7,053

 
6.9
 %
 
 
Adjusted EBITDAR
 
$
(55,419
)
 
$
(76,495
)
 
$
21,076

 
27.6
 %
 
Operating revenue decreased primarily due to a decline in Bristow Academy revenue of $7.4 million, partially offset by an increase in third party part sales of $2.3 million and the correction of error in the Comparable Period discussed below, which decreased operating revenue by $3.5 million in the Comparable Period.
Operating loss during the Current Period included the impairment of goodwill for Bristow Academy totaling $10.2 million, which resulted from reduced operating results for this operation, and impairment of inventories totaling $5.4 million. For additional details on the impairment of goodwill, see Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Operating loss for the Comparable Period also included impairment of inventories totaling $7.2 million. Adjusted EBITDAR improved primarily due to a favorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our Corporate results of $3.2 million during the Current Period. We recognized a benefit in both operating loss and adjusted EBITDAR from a decline in compensation expense of $18.2 million primarily due to management’s decision not to award bonuses during fiscal year 2016 and for our performance cash plan resulting from recent stock price performance.
During the Current Period we recorded severance expense of $6.1 million related to voluntary and involuntary separation plans and during Comparable Period we recorded $5.5 million of expense related to CEO succession, both of which are excluded from adjusted EBITDAR.
During the Comparable Period, we determined that we had been improperly capitalizing profit on intercompany technical services billings related to aircraft modifications. To correct this error, we reduced property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, by $4.4 million and increased deferred gains on aircraft sold and leased back included within other long-term liabilities by $0.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The impact on our condensed consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was an increase in direct costs of $4.1 million. The error was not material to our consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 or our previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements for any period.
Interest Expense, Net
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Interest income
 
$
619

 
$
740

 
$
(121
)
 
(16.4
)%
 
 
Interest expense
 
(30,328
)
 
(28,735
)
 
(1,593
)
 
(5.5
)%
 
 
Amortization of debt discount
 
(973
)
 
(3,130
)
 
2,157

 
68.9
 %
 
 
Amortization of debt fees
 
(1,865
)
 
(2,176
)
 
311

 
14.3
 %
 
 
Capitalized interest
 
8,163

 
11,626

 
(3,463
)
 
(29.8
)%
 
 
Interest expense, net
 
$
(24,384
)
 
$
(21,675
)
 
$
(2,709
)
 
(12.5
)%
 
The increase in interest expense, net in the Current Period is primarily due to a decrease in capitalized interest resulting from lower construction in progress and an increase in interest expense due to an increase in borrowings, partially offset by lower amortization of debt discount and a write-off of deferred financing fees of $0.7 million related to the repurchase of $48.5 million of our 6¼% Senior Notes in the Comparable Period.

75

Other Income (Expense), Net
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Foreign currency losses
 
$
(6,954
)
 
$
(6,692
)
 
$
(262
)
 
(3.9
)%
 
 
Other
 
19

 
(2,451
)
 
2,470

 
100.8
 %
 
 
Other income (expense), net
 
$
(6,935
)
 
$
(9,143
)
 
$
2,208

 
24.1
 %
 
Other income (expense), net decreased primarily due to the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Additionally, other income (expense), net in the Comparable Period included $2.6 million in premium and fees as a result of the repurchase of $48.5 million of our 6¼% Senior Notes. The foreign currency losses within other income (expense), net are reflected within adjusted EBITDAR of the regions discussed above, with the $7.0 million loss in the Current Period being reflected primarily within the Europe Caspian region ($9.1 million) and Asia Pacific region ($1.8 million), partially offset by a gain in Corporate and other ($3.9 million).
Taxes
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except percentages)
 
 
Effective tax rate
(27.7
)%
 
20.1
%
 
47.8
%
 
237.8
 %
 
 
Net foreign tax on non-U.S. earnings
$
10,235

 
$
17,034

 
$
6,799

 
39.9
 %
 
 
Benefit of foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested abroad
$
(21,087
)
 
$
(36,471
)
 
$
(15,384
)
 
(42.2
)%
 
 
Impact of goodwill impairment
$
4,155

 
$
—

 
$
(4,155
)
 
*

 
 
Utilization of foreign tax credits
$
—

 
$
(7,489
)
 
$
(7,489
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
 
Change in valuation allowance
$
14,964

 
$
1,512

 
$
(13,452
)
 
*

 
______ 
 * percentage change not meaningful
In accordance with GAAP, we estimate the full-year effective tax rate from continuing operations and apply this rate to our year-to-date income from continuing operations. In addition, we separately calculate the tax impact of unusual or infrequent items, if any. The tax impacts of such unusual or infrequent items are treated discretely in the quarter in which they occur. During the Current Period, we increased our valuation allowance by $15.0 million which also impacted our effective tax rate.
The relationship between our provision for or benefit from income taxes and our pre-tax book income can vary significantly from period to period considering, among other factors, (a) the overall level of pre-tax book income, (b) changes in the blend of income that is taxed based on gross revenues or at high effective tax rates versus pre-tax book income or at low effective tax rates and (c) our geographical blend of pre-tax book income. Consequently, our income tax expense does not change proportionally with our pre-tax book income. Significant decreases in our pre-tax book income typically result in higher effective tax rates, while significant increases in pre-tax book income can lead to lower effective tax rates, subject to the other factors impacting income tax expense noted above. In the Current Period, our unfavorable permanent differences, such as valuation allowances and non-tax deductible goodwill write-off had the effect of increasing our income tax expense.

76

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $55.7 million during the Current Period compared to $162.4 million during the Comparable Period. Changes in non-cash working capital used $25.2 million and $16.4 million in cash flows from operating activities for the Current Period and Comparable Period, respectively. The decrease in net cash flows provided by operating activities is primarily due to the decreased top-line earnings and working capital changes, driven by timing of cash collections and payments.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $324.2 million during the Current Period compared to $90.7 million during the Comparable Period. Cash was used for capital expenditures as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Number of aircraft delivered:
 
 
 
 
 
Medium
1

 
5

 
 
Large
10

 
12

 
 
Total aircraft
11

 
17

 
 
Capital expenditures (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft and related equipment
$
276,547

 
$
402,753

 
 
Other
66,818

 
96,532

 
 
Total capital expenditures
$
343,365

 
$
499,285

 
In addition to these capital expenditures, investing cash flows were impacted by aircraft sales. During the Current Period, we received proceeds of $19.2 million primarily from the sale or disposal of 16 aircraft and certain other equipment. During the Comparable Period, we received proceeds of $23.7 million primarily from the sale or disposal of 12 aircraft and certain other equipment and received $380.7 million for the sale of 14 aircraft which we subsequently leased back. Additionally during the Comparable Period, we sold our 50% interest in HCA for $4.2 million.
Financing Activities
Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $292.2 million during the Current Period compared to cash used of $139.4 million during the Comparable Period. During the Current Period, we received $565.7 million from borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, $200 million from borrowings on our $200 million Term Loan and $127.4 million from borrowings on our $350 million Term Loan. During the Current Period, cash was used for the repayment of debt totaling $567.1 million (including $115.0 million for the repurchase of our 3% Convertible Senior Notes) and payment of dividends on our Common Stock totaling $35.6 million. During the Comparable Period, we received $346.5 million from borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and $2.2 million in proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options. During the Comparable Period, cash was used for the repayment of debt totaling $373.2 million, payment of dividends on our Common Stock totaling $33.9 million and repurchases of our common stock totaling $80.8 million.

Future Cash Requirements
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have various contractual obligations that are recorded as liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments, interest payments and other executory contracts are not recognized as liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet but are included in the table below. For example, we are contractually committed to make certain minimum lease payments for the use of property and equipment under operating lease agreements.

77

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and other commercial commitments on an undiscounted basis as of December 31, 2015 and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash. In addition, the table reflects the timing of principal and interest payments on outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2015. Additional details regarding these obligations are provided in Notes 5, 6, 7 and 9 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report and in Notes 3, 4, 5 and 7 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
 
 
Payments Due by Period
 
 
 
 
Three
Months
Ending
March 31,
2016
 
Fiscal Year Ending March 31,
 
 
Total
 
2017—
2018
 
2019—
2020
 
2021 and
beyond
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Contractual obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal (1)
 
$
1,208,570

 
$
5,633

 
$
279,524

 
$
513,565

 
$
409,848

Interest (2)
 
221,747

 
4,246

 
80,661

 
61,090

 
75,750

Aircraft operating leases (3)
 
609,274

 
43,085

 
324,004

 
205,852

 
36,333

Other operating leases (4)
 
88,982

 
2,260

 
18,740

 
16,954

 
51,028

Pension obligations (5)
 
199,487

 
16,214

 
61,937

 
46,388

 
74,948

Aircraft purchase obligations (6)
 
427,344

 
13,222

 
243,684

 
124,609

 
45,829

Other purchase obligations (7)
 
398,794

 
123,673

 
56,609

 
63,361

 
155,151

Total contractual cash obligations
 
$
3,154,198

 
$
208,333

 
$
1,065,159

 
$
1,031,819

 
$
848,887

Other commercial commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
 
$
10,585

 
$
1,236

 
$
9,349

 
$
—

 
$
—

Contingent consideration (8)
 
55,211

 
7,351

 
44,950

 
2,910

 
—

Total commercial commitments
 
$
65,796

 
$
8,587

 
$
54,299

 
$
2,910

 
$
—

 ______
(1) 
Excludes unamortized discount of $0.4 million on the Term Loan and short-term borrowings for aircraft purchases which are included in aircraft purchase obligations below.
(2) 
Interest payments for variable interest debt are based on interest rates as of December 31, 2015.
(3) 
Represents separate operating leases for aircraft. During the Current Period, we entered into two new aircraft operating leases.
(4) 
Represents minimum rental payments required under non-operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year.
(5) 
Represents expected funding for pension benefits in future periods. These amounts are undiscounted and are based on the expectation that both the U.K. and Norway pensions will be fully funded in approximately three years. As of December 31, 2015, we had recorded on our balance sheet an $82.6 million pension liability associated with these obligations. The timing of the funding is dependent on actuarial valuations and resulting negotiations with the plan trustees.
(6) 
In January 2016, we reached an agreement with our helicopter manufacturers to defer payment of approximately $9 million in capital expenditures out of the three months ending March 31, 2016 into future periods.
(7) 
Other purchase obligations primarily represent unfilled purchase orders for aircraft parts, commitments associated with upgrading facilities at our bases and non-cancelable power-by-the-hour maintenance commitments.
(8) 
The Cougar purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of $40 million payable over three years based on Cougar achieving certain agreed performance targets. During fiscal year 2014, the first year earn-out payment of $6.0 million was paid as Cougar achieved agreed performance targets. The second year earn-out payment of $8.0 million was paid in April 2015 as Cougar achieved agreed performance targets. The fair value of the remaining portion of the earn-out is $25.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and is included in other accrued liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Eastern Airways purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of £6 million ($8.8 million) over a three year period, which is contingent upon both the achievement of agreed performance targets and the continued employment of the selling shareholders. The first year earn-out payment was not achieved. The Airnorth purchase agreement includes a potential earn-out of A$17 million ($12.4 million) to be paid over four years. The fair value of a portion of the Airnorth earn-out, which is contingent upon the achievement of agreed performance targets, is A$9.4 million ($6.8 million) as of December 31, 2015 and is included in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities and deferred credits on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The remaining A$7 million ($5.1 million) of the Airnorth earn-out, which is contingent upon both the achievement of agreed performance targets and the continued employment of the selling shareholders, will be included as general and administrative expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as earned. The earn-outs for Cougar and Airnorth will be remeasured to fair value at each reporting

78

date until the contingency is resolved and any changes in estimated fair value will be recorded as accretion expense included in depreciation and amortization on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Capital Commitments and Other Uses of Cash
We have commitments and options to make capital expenditures over the next five fiscal years to purchase additional aircraft, including aircraft associated with the commitments reflected in the table above. Although a similar number of our existing aircraft may be sold during the same period, the additional aircraft on order are expected to provide incremental fleet capacity in terms of revenue, operating margin and adjusted EBITDAR margin. See Note 5 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for a detail of the number of aircraft under commitments and options expected to be delivered in the current and subsequent five fiscal years by aircraft size along with the related expenditures and for a rollforward of aircraft commitments and options through December 31, 2015. We have taken steps to manage our costs globally and have partnered with our equipment manufacturers to defer capital payments to better match client demand for aircraft with our cash outlay for aircraft to maintain adequate liquidity through the downturn. Those deferrals are reflected in the table above. During fiscal year 2016, we expect to invest approximately $75 million in various infrastructure enhancements, including aircraft facilities, training centers and technology. Through December 31, 2015, we had incurred approximately $67 million towards these projects.
As discussed under “— Executive Overview — Our Strategy — Capital Allocation Strategy”, cash may also be used for dividend payments and repurchases of Common Stock. Additionally, cash may be used in future periods to repurchase or otherwise retire debt, including our 6 ¼% Senior Notes, or for any acquisition opportunities we believe are aligned with our long-term strategy.
Financial Condition and Sources of Liquidity
We actively manage our liquidity through generation of cash from operations while assessing our funding needs on an ongoing basis. While we have generated significant cash from operations, financing cash flows have also been a significant source of liquidity over the past several years. The significant factors that affect our overall liquidity include capital expenditure commitments, pension funding, operating leases, adequacy of bank lines of credit and our ability to attract additional capital on satisfactory terms.
Substantially all of our cash balances are held outside the U.S. and are generally used to meet the liquidity needs of our non-U.S. operations. Most of our cash held outside the U.S. could be repatriated to the U.S., but under current law, any such repatriation would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, as adjusted for applicable foreign tax credits. We have provided for U.S. federal income taxes on undistributed foreign earnings where we have determined that such earnings are not indefinitely reinvested. We expect to meet the continuing funding requirements of our U.S. operations with cash generated by such U.S. operations, cash from earnings generated by non-U.S. operations that are not indefinitely reinvested and our existing Revolving Credit Facility. If cash held by non-U.S. operations is required for funding operations in the U.S., and if U.S. tax has not previously been provided on the earnings of such operations, we would make a provision for additional U.S. tax in connection with repatriating this cash, which may be material to our cash flows and results of operations.
On November 5, 2015, we received $200 million in proceeds from a new two-year term loan facility, which we used for capital expenditures, working capital needs and general corporate purposes.
We expect that our cash on deposit as of December 31, 2015 of $131.9 million, cash flow from operations, proceeds from aircraft sales and from the sale and leaseback of owned aircraft, available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility, as well as any future financings will be sufficient to satisfy our capital commitments, including our oil and gas aircraft purchase commitments and remaining capital requirements in connection with our U.K. SAR contract. The available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility was $167.4 million as of December 31, 2015. While we plan to continue to be disciplined concerning future capital commitments, we also intend to continue managing our capital structure and liquidity position with additional external financings, as needed. Our strategy will involve funding our short-term liquidity requirements with borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and funding our long-term capital needs from among operating leases, bank debt, private and public debt, and equity offerings, while maintaining a prudent capital structure.
Considering the current oil and gas business environment and market outlook, as discussed in Market Outlook, management expects that the Company will continue to be in compliance with its financial covenants in its senior secured credit agreements; however, such expectations are based on various assumptions about our business including the impact of crude oil prices and other factors beyond our control and our ongoing and planned cost reduction efforts and cash savings or capital deferral efforts in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. In the event the Company were not in compliance with the financial covenants in its senior secured credit agreements, there can be no assurance that the lenders will consent to an amendment or provide a waiver or that they will do so on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us, which may have an adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations.

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In addition, our lenders may require additional concessions from us before consenting to any amendment or waiver. Such noncompliance of the financial covenants would constitute a default under the senior secured credit agreements, and if we were unable to obtain an amendment or waiver, such default would also trigger cross default provisions in the Company’s other debt agreements.
We believe we have substantial advantages to enhance our competitiveness in an extended downturn, including:
•
A modern fleet that allows for deferral of new aircraft deliveries, reducing capital expenditure needs without compromising safety or client service,
•
A strong balance sheet that gives us full access to capital markets to capitalize on organic and merger and acquisition opportunities, and
•
A mostly owned fleet of aircraft that gives us critical optionality to sell aircraft or decline renewal options and return leased aircraft.
We also expect improvements in cash flow generation in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 due to the additional cost reduction efforts and cash savings or capital deferral efforts, the U.K. SAR contract being fully operational and a significant decline in capital expenditures relative to the current fiscal year.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report for a discussion of our critical accounting policies. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates provided in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We are subject to certain market risks arising from the use of financial instruments in the ordinary course of business. This risk arises primarily as a result of potential changes in the fair market value of financial instruments that would result from adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, credit risk, and interest rates as discussed in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report and Note 1 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including Jonathan E. Baliff, our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and L. Don Miller, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2015. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.



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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
We have certain actions or claims pending that have been discussed and previously reported in Part I. Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report. Developments in these previously reported matters, if any, are described in Note 5 in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 in our “Risk Factors” as discussed in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report and our Quarterly Report Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program (1)
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
 
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
150,000,000

______________

(1) 
As of January 29, 2016, we had $150.0 million of repurchase authority remaining authorized for share repurchases through November 4, 2016. The timing and method of any repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, is subject to our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, and other factors and restrictions under applicable law and our debt agreements, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
 
Item 5.    Other Information
None.

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Item 6.    Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
10.1
 
Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 5, 2015).
 
 
10.2
 
Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 5, 2015).
 
 
15.1*
 
Letter from KPMG LLP dated February 8, 2016, regarding unaudited interim information.
 
 
31.1**
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Executive Officer of Registrant.
 
 
31.2**
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Financial Officer of Registrant
 
 
32.1**
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2**
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
*
 
Filed herewith.
 
 
 
**
 
Furnished herewith.
 
 
 
 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
 
BRISTOW GROUP INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ L. Don Miller
 
 
L. Don Miller
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
By:
/s/ Brian J. Allman
 
 
Brian J. Allman
Vice President,
Chief Accounting Officer
February 8, 2016

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