ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, cash flow and prospects may be materially and adversely affected by numerous risks and uncertainties. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties, they may include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described below. These risks and uncertainties represent some of the more critical risk factors that affect us, in addition to the other information that has been provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our business operations or actual results could also be similarly impacted by additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial to our operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our operations involve a degree of inherent risk, some of which may not be covered by our insurance and may increase our operating costs or adversely affect our liquidity.
The operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft inherently involves a substantial degree of risk. Hazards such as harsh weather and marine conditions, mechanical failures, facility fires, spare parts damage, human error, crashes and collisions are inherent risks in our business and may result in personal injury, loss of life, damage to property and equipment, suspension or reduction of operations, reduced number of flight hours, the grounding of the aircraft involved in the incident or an entire fleet of the same aircraft type, or insufficient ground facilities or spare parts to support operations.
We, or third parties operating our aircraft, may experience accidents or damage to our assets in the future. These risks could endanger the safety of both our own and our customers’ personnel, equipment, cargo and other property, as well as the environment. In addition to any loss of property or life, our revenues, profitability and margins could be materially affected by an accident involving our aircraft or other assets. If an accident were to damage our equipment or other assets that we need to operate or lease to third parties, we could experience loss of revenues, termination of contracts, higher insurance rates and damage to our reputation and customer relationships. In addition, to the extent an accident occurs with aircraft we operate or to assets supporting operations, we could be held liable for resulting .
Certain models of aircraft that we operate, or have operated in the past, have experienced accidents while operated by third parties. If other operators experience accidents with aircraft models that we operate or lease, obligating us to take such aircraft out of service until the cause of the accident is rectified, we could lose revenues and customers. In addition, safety issues experienced by a particular model of aircraft could result in customers refusing to use, or a regulatory body grounding, that particular aircraft model. The value of the aircraft model might also be reduced in the market if the model were to be considered less desirable for future service and the inventory for such aircraft may be impaired, leading to impairment and similar changes.
We attempt to protect ourselves against financial losses and damage by carrying insurance, including hull and liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, auto liability and property and casualty insurance. Our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles and maximum coverage amounts, but we do not carry insurance against all types of losses. We cannot assure you that our existing coverage will be sufficient to protect against all losses, that we will be able to maintain our existing coverage in the future or that the premiums will not increase substantially. We also carry insurance for war risk, expropriation and confiscation of the aircraft we use in certain of our international operations. Future terrorist activity, risks of war, accidents, extreme weather events, or other events could increase our insurance premiums or eventually result in of coverage entirely. The of any insurance coverage, coverage from our liability insurance, the payment of significant deductibles or substantial increases in future premiums could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maintain standards of acceptable safety performance may have an adverse impact on our ability to attract and retain customers and could adversely impact our reputation, operations and financial performance.
Our customers consider safety and reliability as two of the primary attributes when selecting a provider of air transportation services. Accidents or disasters could impact customer or passenger confidence in a particular fleet type, we or the air transportation services industry as a whole and could lead to a reduction in customer contracts, particularly if such accidents or disasters were due to a safety fault in a type of aircraft used in our fleet. If we fail to maintain standards of safety and reliability that are satisfactory to our customers, our ability
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to retain current customers and attract new customers may be adversely affected. In addition, the loss of aircraft as a result of accidents could cause significant adverse publicity and the interruption of air services to our customers, which could adversely impact our reputation, operations and financial results.
Our dependence on a small number of helicopter manufacturers and lessors has adversely affected us and could continue to adversely affect us.
We contract with a small number of manufacturers and lessors for most of our aircraft expansion, replacement, leasing and maintenance needs. If any of the manufacturers face production delays due to, for example, natural disasters, pandemics, labor strikes or availability of skilled labor, we may experience a significant delay in the delivery of previously-ordered aircraft. During these periods, we may not be able to obtain orders for additional aircraft with acceptable pricing, delivery dates or other terms. Also, we have operating leases for a portion of our helicopters. The number of companies that provide leasing for helicopters is limited. If any of these leasing companies face financial setbacks, we may experience delays or restrictions in our ability to lease aircraft. Delivery delays or our inability to obtain acceptable aircraft orders or lease aircraft have from time to time adversely affected, and could adversely affect in the future, our revenues and profitability and could our ability to meet the demands of our customers and grow our business.
In addition, there are a limited number of suppliers, vendors and OEMs that we are able to rely on (such as Sikorsky Commercial Inc., Leonardo Spa, Nova Systems International Ltd., and General Electric Aviation Inc.) for the supply and overhaul of components fitted to our aircraft in connection with required maintenance and repairs. This maintenance and/or repairs is often required in order for our aircraft to stay fully operational and available for use in our operations. Our inability to perform maintenance and repairs timely or economically, may result in our aircraft being underutilized, which could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. In particular, we have experienced significant delays in the delivery of parts for our S92 fleet, which comprises approximately 29% of our total fleet, resulting in the need to (i) purchase or otherwise acquire parts from other sources and (ii) ground multiple S92 aircraft and forgo certain related business opportunities.
Because of the limited number of alternative suppliers, vendors and OEMs (and in certain cases, the lack thereof), any such supply chain disruptions could adversely impact our ability to perform timely maintenance and repairs or perform such maintenance and repairs economically and could delay the commencement of new customer contracts or service delivery on active contracts. Furthermore, our operations in remote locations, where delivery of these components and parts could take a significant period of time, may also impact our ability to maintain and repair our aircraft. While every effort is made to mitigate such impact, we expect this to pose a risk to our operating results. Additionally, supplier cost increases for critical aircraft components and parts as a result of the current inflationary environment also pose a risk to our operating results.
A decline in market demand for specific helicopter models in our fleet or our failure to timely develop and implement technological advances could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If the market demand for helicopter models in our fleet declines, if such models experience technical difficulties or if such models are involved in operational incidents, it could cause a diminution in value of the affected models or the inability to provide services with such model without significant expense or at all. In addition, any oversupply or surplus of such models being made available to the market could reduce the rates earned by, and/or the value of, such helicopter models. See “—The market value of our helicopter fleet is dependent on a number of external factors.” The occurrence of any of these events could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Additionally, many of the aircraft that we operate are characterized by changing technology, introductions and enhancements of models of aircraft and services and shifting customer demands, including technology preferences. Our future growth and financial performance will depend in part upon our ability to develop, market and integrate new services and to accommodate the latest technological advances, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, and customer preferences. In addition, the introduction of new technologies or services that compete with our services could result in our revenues decreasing over time. If we are unable to upgrade our operations or fleet with the latest technological advances in a timely manner, or at all, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.
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The market value of our helicopter fleet is dependent on a number of external factors.
The fair market value of each of our helicopters is dependent upon a variety of factors, including:
• general economic and market conditions and, in particular, those affecting the offshore energy industry, including the price of offshore energy and the level of offshore energy exploration, development and production;
• the number of comparable helicopters servicing the market;
• the types and sizes of comparable helicopters available for sale or lease;
• historical issues with helicopters of the same model;
• the specific age and attributes of the helicopter;
• demand for the helicopter in different industries;
• the level of support provided by manufacturers; and
• regulation or competition from other air transport companies and other modes of transportation.
Surplus of particular models of aircraft in the market may cause a decline in the fair market value of certain of our helicopters. A decline in helicopter values could result in asset impairment charges, breaches of loan covenants or lower proceeds upon helicopter sales, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel, and retirements or other shortages of pilots and engineers could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel, specifically our pilots and engineers. The competition for pilots and engineers is fiercely competitive, and we compete with major Part 121 air carriers and the emergency air medical industry to attract and retain such talent. Additionally, many of our customers require pilots with very high levels of flight experience. The market for these experienced and highly trained personnel is competitive and may become more competitive, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully attract and retain such personnel. Some of our pilots, engineers and other personnel, as well as those of our competitors, are members of military reserves who have been, or could be, called to active duty. If significant numbers of such personnel retire or are called to active duty, it could reduce the supply of such workers and likely increase our labor costs.
Further, Title 49—Transportation of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and other statutes require our President, two-thirds of the Board and other managing officers be U.S. citizens. Our failure to attract and retain qualified executive personnel or for such executive personnel to work well together or as effective leaders in their respective areas of responsibility could have a material adverse effect on our business and future growth.
Collective bargaining or union agreements covering certain of our employees will be renegotiated in 2026; labor problems, including our inability to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining or union agreements with employees covered by such agreements, could adversely affect us.
As of December 31, 2025, approximately 60% of our employees were covered by union or other collective bargaining agreements, some of which have expired or will expire in one year or less. In 2025, we successfully negotiated a new 2-year agreement with the National Union of Aeronauts (SNA), and with the Norwegian engineers’ union. We cannot assure you that we will be able to negotiate the terms of any expired or expiring agreement on terms that are acceptable to us or at all, which may result in strikes, work stoppages or other slowdowns. Furthermore, our employees who are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement may become subject to labor organizing efforts. If our unionized workers engage in an extended strike, work stoppage or other slowdown, if other employees elect to become unionized, existing labor agreements are renegotiated or if future labor agreements contain terms that are unfavorable to us, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Foreign exchange risks and controls may affect our financial position and results of operations.
Through our operations outside the U.S., we are exposed to foreign currency fluctuations and exchange rate risks. A portion of the services we provide outside the U.S. generate revenues in foreign currencies with the
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associated expenses incurred in U.S. dollars. In such cases, a strengthening U.S. dollar adversely affects the profitability of providing such services, and therefore could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. A strong U.S. dollar may also reduce the demand for our services that are provided under U.S. dollar-denominated contracts in foreign countries. Because we maintain our financial statements in U.S. dollars, our financial results are vulnerable to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. In preparing our financial statements, we must convert all non-U.S. dollar results to U.S. dollars. The effect of foreign currency translation impacts our results of operations and is reflected as a component of stockholders’ investment, while the revaluation of certain monetary foreign currency transactions is credited or charged to income and reflected in other income (expense), net.
We also operate in countries with foreign exchange controls, including Brazil and Nigeria. These controls may limit our ability to repatriate funds from our international operations and unconsolidated affiliates or convert local currencies into U.S. dollars. These limitations could adversely affect our ability to access cash from these operations. As of December 31, 2025, approximately 65% of our total cash balance was held outside the U.S.
In order to support our business, we may require additional capital in the future that may not be available to us.
Our business is capital intensive, and to the extent we do not generate sufficient cash from operations, we will need to raise additional funds to, among other things, purchase new equipment and maintain currently owned equipment. Adequate sources of capital funding may not be available when needed or on favorable terms. If we raise additional debt, we will incur additional interest expense, the rates and terms of such debt may be at less favorable than the rates and terms of existing debt and we could be required to pledge additional assets as security or subjected to financial and/or operating covenants that affect our ability to conduct our business. The issuance of additional equity or equity-linked capital could have the effect of diluting current stockholders. If funding is insufficient or unavailable in the future, we may be unable to acquire additional aircraft, take advantage of business opportunities, fund operating losses or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. See discussion of our material cash requirements and capital commitments in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Contractual Obligations and Capital Commitments.”
Our efforts to diversify into other aviation services and expand into additional international markets may prove unsuccessful.
Our future growth will depend on our ability to grow in our core markets and expand into new business lines, such as advanced air mobility, and additional international markets. Our business has traditionally been significantly dependent upon the level of offshore energy exploration, development and production activity. Through continuous evaluation of strategic opportunities to acquire or dispose of operating business or assets (such as through merger, acquisitions and organic growth initiatives), we continue to diversify our operations into other aviation services, including SAR services, and we believe that additional Government Services contracts and advanced air mobility present attractive growth and diversification opportunities. The consideration for acquisitive transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock or equity interests in us or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with such a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. Further, as we look to diversify into new markets, acquisitions of assets operating in such sectors could present risks related to operating new lines of business or in new geographies. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. We cannot guarantee that any such transaction will result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
While diversification into other aviation services is intended over the long term to grow the business and mitigate our exposure to the inherently cyclical offshore energy business, we cannot be certain that benefits associated with those other lines of business will be realized in a timely manner, or at all, and the costs of entry into such other lines of business may ultimately exceed the benefit derived from these businesses. Despite our diversification efforts, the effect of any downturn in the offshore energy industry would nevertheless negatively impact our financial results in future periods.
Additionally, expansion of our business depends on our ability to operate in additional international markets, which may be adversely affected by numerous factors, including but not limited to: (i) local regulations restricting foreign ownership of helicopter operators; (ii) requirements to award contracts to local operators; (iii) the number and location of new drilling concessions granted by foreign governments; and (iv) our ability to
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integrate new models of aircraft into our fleet and operate new lines of business to support our diversification initiatives. If we are unable to continue to operate, establish new lines of business, or retain contracts in international markets, our operations may not grow and our future business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We are dependent upon the level of activity in the North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of America, which are mature exploration and production regions.
The North Sea and the U.S. Gulf of America are mature exploration and production regions that have undergone substantial seismic survey, exploration and production activity for many years. The continued success of our business operations in these regions is subject to our customers’ ability to produce at a level at which continued production and further exploration activity are economically viable. If production falls below these levels, our customers may cease operations at certain or all of their properties, at which point our services with respect to such properties would no longer be needed. Additionally, because a large number of offshore energy properties in these regions have already been drilled, offshore energy companies may not be able to identify additional drilling sites of sufficient size and quality to replace those that become depleted, and the U.S. government’s potential restrictions on the availability of offshore energy leases together with the UK government’s exercise of authority could adversely impact exploration and production activity in the U.S. Gulf of America and the North Sea, respectively. Actions of current or future presidential administrations also could negatively impact offshore energy operations in the U.S. in favor of lower energy prices or renewable energy projects. Any material in offshore energy exploration, development and production activity in either the U.S. Gulf of America or the North Sea could have a material and effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict the levels of activity in these areas.
Disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic, and social environments of the countries in which we operate, as well as changes in trade restrictions, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we generated revenues in 15 countries across the world. Our non-U.S. operations accounted for approximately 83% and 83% of our consolidated revenues in the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Instability and unforeseen changes in any of the markets in which we operate could result in business disruptions that may have an adverse effect on the demand for our products and services or our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Such instability or unforeseen changes could result from a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) uncertain or volatile political and economic conditions; (ii) social unrest, acts of terrorism, war or other armed conflict; (iii) trade and economic sanctions or other restrictions imposed by the UK, the U.S. or other regions or countries that could restrict or curtail our ability to profitably operate in certain markets, including tariffs; (iv) unexpected changes in legal and regulatory requirements, including the enactment of new laws and changes in interpretation or enforcement of existing laws; (v) restrictions on the repatriation of income or capital; (vi) confiscatory taxation, repatriation restrictions or other adverse tax policies; (vii) certain local or global economic conditions, such as inflation and currency exchange controls, rate fluctuations and devaluations; and (viii) public health crises and other catastrophic events, such as pandemics. For example, there has recently been political and social in Nigeria, where we derived 13% and 12% of our revenues during the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our operations in Nigeria and in other regions are also subject to local laws requiring that our customers select service providers having “local content” in the respective region, and local authorities monitor compliance with and may our customers for to such local content requirements. Future or legislation to our business or operations in Nigeria or our other operating regions could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in those regions.
In addition, there is significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and other countries, particularly Canada and Mexico, with respect to the trade policies, treaties, taxes, government regulations and tariffs that would be applicable (including as a result of legal challenges to such tariffs). Changes in U.S. political, regulatory and economic conditions or laws and policies governing foreign trade, travel to and from the U.S., immigration, manufacturing, development and investment in the territories and countries in which we operate, and any negative sentiments or retaliatory actions towards the U.S. as a result of such changes, could adversely affect the industry as a whole, which could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and growth prospects.
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We are exposed to the credit risk of our limited number of counterparties, the majority of which are highly dependent on the financial condition of the offshore energy industry.
We are exposed to credit risk, which arises either from the potential for counterparties to default on their contractual obligations or, with respect to our trade receivables, from the potential a customer will not be able to meet its obligations to us. We generated approximately 66% of our consolidated revenues from Offshore Energy Services during the year ended December 31, 2025, and the majority of our customers are engaged in offshore energy production, exploration and development. We also derive a significant amount of our revenues from our UK and Irish SAR contract, as well as from a small number of offshore energy companies. Our loss of one of these significant customers, if not offset by sales to new or other existing customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our highly concentrated customer base increases our overall exposure to credit risk because changes in economic, regulatory and industry conditions that adversely affect the offshore energy industry could affect the credit worthiness of many of our customers. We monitor the concentration of our credit risk exposure with counterparties (both individually, with respect to specific counterparties, and collectively, with respect to all counterparties) on an ongoing basis. We manage credit risk by entering into arrangements with established counterparties and establishing credit policies, which include the review, approval and monitoring of new customers, annual credit evaluations and credit limits, to apply in the selection of counterparties. However, we generally lack the leverage to obtain and do not require letters of credit or other collateral to support our trade receivables, and there can be no assurance that our risk mitigation strategies will be effective or that credit risk, including any increases in our exposure thereto on account of a downturn in the economic condition of the offshore energy industry, will not adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to dispose of aircraft through sales into the aftermarket could adversely affect us.
The management of our global aircraft fleet involves a careful evaluation of the expected demand for our services across global markets, including the type of aircraft needed to meet this demand. As aircraft models age, our management evaluates whether to operate, dry-lease or sell the aircraft into the aftermarket. The number of aircraft sales and the amount of gains and losses recorded on these sales depends on a wide variety of factors and is inherently unpredictable. A significant return of aircraft to leasing companies by us or our competitors into an already oversupplied market could undermine our ability to dispose of our aircraft and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations are subject to weather-related and seasonal fluctuations.
Certain of our operations are subject to harsh weather conditions and seasonal factors. Poor visibility, high wind, heavy precipitation, sandstorms and hurricanes can affect the operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and result in a reduced number of flight hours. In addition, harsh weather conditions have the potential to disrupt our clients’ businesses and operations, which may affect the operation of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and result in a reduced number of flight hours. A significant portion of our revenues and profits related to offshore energy exploration, development and production activity is dependent on actual flight hours, and a substantial portion of our operating expenses is fixed. Lower flight hours typically result in reduced revenues, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
For example, in the North Sea region, our operations during the fall and winter months are significantly limited by the fewer hours of daylight and much harsher conditions as compared to the spring and summer months. Anticipation of harsh conditions causes many offshore energy companies to limit drilling and other activities in the North Sea during the fall and winter. In Nigeria, our operations are subject to the Harmattan, a dry, dusty West African trade wind that blows between the end of December and the middle of February and produces a heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, similar to a heavy fog. We are unable to operate aircraft during these harsh conditions.
In the U.S. Gulf of America, our operations are subject to higher incidents of heavy fog and other harsh weather conditions during the months of December through March. Additionally, we are unable to operate in the area of the storm during hurricanes, tropical storms or cyclones, which most commonly occur during the months of June through November. Although flight activity may increase in the period immediately before and after a storm due to the evacuation and return of offshore workers, we incur costs in evacuating our own aircraft, personnel and equipment prior to such storms. We may also experience prolonged periods of displacement of operations and
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increased costs due to the need to temporarily relocate personnel, aircraft and equipment during the period following a severe storm, such as what happened in Louisiana following Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Risks Related to Our Customers, Contracts and the Offshore Energy Industry
Our industry is highly competitive and cyclical, with intense price competition, and our focus on quality of service rather than cost-saving measures could reduce the demand for our services.
The helicopter and fixed wing businesses are highly competitive throughout the world. Such aircraft are often chartered on the basis of competitive bidding among those providers having the necessary equipment, operational experience and resources. Factors that affect competition in our industry include price, quality of service, operational experience, record of safety, quality and type of equipment, aircraft availability, customer relationship and professional reputation. We have several significant competitors in the North Sea, Nigeria, the U.S. Gulf of America and Brazil, and a number of smaller local competitors in other markets. Certain of our customers have the capability to perform their own air transportation operations or give business to our competitors should they elect to do so, which has a limiting effect on our rates. During upcycles, we have the ability to secure profitable contracts by providing superior quality as compared to our competitors. However, our industry is cyclical and is affected by the volatility of offshore energy price levels, particularly if energy prices remain low for extended periods of time.
There have been periods of high demand for our services, followed by periods of low demand for our services. Low commodity prices for long periods of time can have a significant effect on demand for our services, and extended periods of low activity intensify price competition in the industry and often result in lower utilization rates for our aircraft, including potentially being idle for long periods of time. Offshore energy companies are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at greater cost savings, including efforts to accept lesser quality services, to otherwise improve cost efficiencies with respect to air transportation services, or to provide other alternatives for transportation, such as boats. Certain of our competitors have in the past and may in the future continue to achieve cost savings through various measures, which allows these competitors to undercut our operations by reducing rates to levels not acceptable to us. We will lose significant market share in our industry if we fail to continue to provide safe, reliable and efficient service or evolve our technology, which could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations due to the of a significant number of our customers or of a significant number of our contracts.
Some of our contracts can be terminated or downsized by our customers.
Although new offshore energy contracts have begun to include more stringent cancellation provisions and better terms and conditions around certain operational risks (such as penalty payments that are typically intended to recover costs incurred in connection with providing services that would have otherwise been recovered through future performance), some of our fixed-term contracts contain provisions permitting early termination by the customer at their convenience, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, some of our contracts permit our customers to decrease the number of aircraft under contract with a corresponding decrease in the fixed monthly payments without penalty. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on the strength of our customer contracts or the terms of those contracts.
Our UK SAR contract can be terminated at will and is subject to certain other rights of the DfT.
Our UK SAR contract, which accounted for approximately 19% of our revenues for year ended December 31, 2025, allows the DfT to cancel the UK SAR contract for any reason upon notice and payment of a specified cancellation fee based on the number of bases reduced as a result of the exercise and the timing of the exercise. Prior to any cancellation or termination of the contract, the DfT may also invite tenders to award a contract for the SAR services we provide to a replacement contractor. We currently lease a significant number of aircraft to service the UK SAR and contract. Although we are entitled to some compensation for termination or early expiration if we are not at fault for a breach of the agreement, termination or early expiration of the UK SAR contract would result in a significant loss of expected revenues. Additionally, we do not have the right to cause the transfer of the ground facilities supporting the UK SAR contract to the replacement service provider. If alternative long-term uses were not identified for these facilities, we could incur recurring fixed expenses for these non-revenues producing assets if we were to sell them to a replacement contractor or other party in the event the UK SAR contract is .
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Our customers may shift risk to us.
We give to and receive from our customers indemnities relating to damages caused or sustained by us in connection with our operations. Our customers often seek to capitalize on their market leverage by shifting responsibility for risk. In difficult markets, we may be obliged to accept greater risk to win new business, retain renewing business or could result in us losing business if we are not prepared to take such risks. To the extent that we accept such additional risk, and seek to insure against it, if possible, our insurance premiums could rise. If we cannot insure against such risks or otherwise choose not to do so, we could be exposed to losses in the event such risks are realized.
Reductions in spending on aviation services by governmental agencies could lead to modifications of contract terms or delays in receiving payments, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Government Services contracts accounted for approximately 26% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025. Governmental agencies receive funding through budget appropriations, which are determined through the political process, and as a result, funding for the agencies with which we do business may fluctuate. In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of discretionary program spending and lawmakers have discussed the need to cut or impose caps on discretionary spending, which could result in budget cuts to government agencies to which we provide services. Any reductions in an agency’s budget or other changes in governmental spending or service priorities may cause such agency to implement cost-saving measures, impose modifications to our contract terms, delay delivery of receivables owed to us by such agency or substantially reduce or cease using our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, there are inherent risks in contracting with governmental agencies. Applicable laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate may enable our governmental agency customers to (i) terminate contracts for convenience, (ii) reduce, modify or contracts or subcontracts if requirements or budgetary constraints change or (iii) require contractors to assume more risk under the terms of the contracts. Any of these events could have an effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our fixed operating expenses and long-term contracts with customers could adversely affect our business under certain circumstances.
Our profitability is directly related to demand for our services. Because of the significant expenses related to aircraft financing and leasing, crew wages and benefits and insurance and some maintenance programs, a substantial portion of our operating expenses are fixed and must be paid even when aircraft are not actively servicing customers and thereby generating revenues. A decrease in our revenues could therefore result in a disproportionate decrease in our earnings, as a substantial portion of our operating expense would remain unchanged. Similarly, the discontinuation of any rebates, discounts or preferential financing terms offered to us by manufacturers, lenders or lessors could have the effect of increasing our related expenses, and without a corresponding increase in our revenues, could negatively impact our results of operations.
Certain of our long-term aircraft services contracts contain price escalation terms and conditions. Although supplier costs, fuel costs, insurance costs and other cost increases are typically passed through to our customers through rate increases where possible, these escalations may not be sufficient to enable us to recoup increased costs in full and we may not be able to realize the full benefit of contract price escalations during a market downturn. There can be no assurance that we will be able to estimate costs accurately or recover increased costs by passing these costs on to our customers or successfully identify or secure cost escalations for other costs that may escalate during the applicable customer contract term, which could materially and adversely affect the profitability of our customer contracts and our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Aircraft fuel is critical to our operations. The timely and adequate supply of fuel to meet operational demand depends on the continued availability of reliable fuel supply sources as well as related service and delivery infrastructure. We depend significantly on the continued performance of our vendors and service providers to maintain supply integrity, despite our ability to maintain operations for a short period at some major locations in the event of short-term fuel supply or infrastructure disruptions. To the extent our vendors and service providers are not able to maintain fuel supply integrity, such disruption to our aircraft fuel supply could have an
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adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. Additionally, the market price of fuel has historically fluctuated substantially and continues to be volatile due to a multitude of unpredictable factors, including global crude oil prices, fuel supply and demand, natural disasters, and fuel production and transportation infrastructure, as well as other, indirect factors. Changes in any of these factors could drive rapid, significant changes in fuel prices in short periods of time, and we may be unable to increase our rates enough to fully offset the impact of increases in fuel prices, especially if such price increase were to sustain for a prolonged period. Further, any such increase in our rates to offset increased fuel prices may not be sustainable, may reduce the general demand for our services and may also eventually impact our operations, strategic growth and investment plans for the future.
Consumer preferences for alternative fuels, including increases thereto as part of the global energy transition, may lead to reduced demand for our services.
The increasing penetration of renewable energy into the energy supply mix, the increased production of electric-powered vehicles and improvements in energy storage, as well as increased consumer demand for alternative fuels, energy sources and electric-powered vehicles, may affect the demand for oil and natural gas and drilling services and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. As a result of changes in consumer preferences and uncertainty regarding the pace of the energy transition and impacts on oil and natural gas demand, there have been changes in the budgets of offshore energy companies in connection with the move away from oil and natural gas exploration and production, which could result in reduced capital spending by our customers and in turn reduced demand for our services.
The demand for our services is substantially dependent on the level of offshore energy exploration, development and production activity.
We provide helicopter and fixed wing services to companies engaged in offshore energy exploration, development and production activities. As a result, demand for our services, as well as our revenues and our profitability, are substantially dependent on the worldwide levels of activity in offshore energy exploration, development and production. These activity levels are principally affected by trends in, and expectations regarding, oil and natural gas prices, as well as the capital expenditure budgets of offshore energy companies and shifts in technology for energy exploration, development and production. Consolidation in the oil and gas industry is common and has the potential to shrink our customer base. Historically, oil and gas prices have been volatile and are subject to factors beyond our control, such as: (i) the supply of and demand for offshore energy, including any fluctuation thereof resulting from increased onshore production and development activity or actions of OPEC+, and related market expectations; (ii) the price and availability of alternative fuels; (iii) technology developments, including those impacting energy consumption and advances in exploration, development and production technology; (iv) general economic conditions and the changing environmental and social landscape; (v) governmental regulation and other actions, or proposed changes in respect thereof, including tariffs; and (vi) the worldwide political environment, including the armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and associated economic sanctions, change in political regimes in South America or other areas, or acts of terrorism in the UK, the U.S. or elsewhere. We cannot predict future exploration, development and production activity or offshore energy price movements. Even though offshore energy prices recovered beginning in 2022 onwards, developments or changes relating to these factors could affect the long-term outlook for offshore energy exploration, development and production activities, which may result in reduced demand for our services and affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changing sentiments with respect to sustainability matters may impact our business, financial results or stock price.
There have been changing sentiments with respect to corporate activities related to sustainability matters in public discourse and the investment community. Advocacy groups, both domestically and internationally, have campaigned for governmental and private action to promote change at public companies related to sustainability matters, including through the investment and voting practices of investment advisers, proxy advisory firms, public pension funds, universities and other members of the investing community. These activities include increasing demands for action related to climate change, promoting the use of substitutes to fossil fuel products and encouraging the divestment of companies in the offshore energy industry. These activities could reduce demand for our services, reduce our profits, increase the potential for investigations and litigation and thereby increase our costs, impair our brand and have negative impacts on the price of our common stock and access to
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capital markets. The adoption and expansion of sustainability-related regulation may also result in increased capital expenditures and compliance, operational and other costs to us.
Our public disclosures on sustainability initiatives include our goals or expectations with respect to those matters. There can be no assurance that we will be able to accomplish our announced goals related to our sustainability program, as statements regarding our sustainability goals are made using various underlying assumptions, reflect our current plans and aspirations and are not guarantees that we will be able to achieve them within the timelines we announce or at all. Further, our initiatives and goals may not be favored by certain stakeholders and could impact the attraction and retention of investors, customers and employees. Efforts to achieve our initiatives and goals, including collecting and reporting sustainability information and metrics, involve numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal and other risks and may result in additional costs or delays, and as a result may have a negative impact on us, including our reputation and stock price.
In recent years, certain stakeholders and regulators have also proposed or enacted “anti-ESG” policies, legislation or initiatives. This divergence in stakeholder expectations could expose us to reputational risks and potentially disrupt relationships with certain stakeholders.
The continued threat of terrorism, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, war, and other armed conflict, such as the ongoing actions in Ukraine, Israel, South America and the broader Middle East, and the potential destabilizing effect such conflicts may pose, including with respect to the global oil and natural gas markets, could materially adversely affect us.
The occurrence or threat of civil unrest, acts of terrorism, war, and other armed conflicts involving the U.S. or other countries in which we operate could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, the geopolitical and macroeconomic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the associated sanctions levied on Russia in response by the U.S., the UK, the member states of the European Union, and other governments, has severely impacted the world economy, in addition to the significant volatility in commodity prices and supply of energy resources, instability in financial markets, supply chain interruptions, political and social instability, and trade disputes and trade barriers. Overall demand for oil and natural gas could be reduced, potentially putting downward pressure on demand for our services and causing a reduction in our revenues. Oil and natural gas-related facilities could be direct targets of terrorist attacks, and our operations could be impacted if infrastructure integral to our customers’ operations is or . Costs for insurance and other security may increase as a result of these , and some insurance coverage may become more to obtain, if available at all.
Risks Related to Legal, Tax and Regulatory Matters
We have experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past, and cybersecurity breaches or business system disruptions may adversely affect our business in the future.
We rely on our information technology infrastructure and management information systems to operate and record almost every aspect of our business, including confidential or personal information belonging to us, our employees, customers, and suppliers. Similar to other companies, our systems and networks, and those of third parties with whom we do business, may be disrupted or shut down due to events such as software or hardware failures, power outages, telecommunication breakdowns, user errors, catastrophic events or cybersecurity breaches caused by illegal hacking, insider threats, phishing, malware, ransomware, or other malicious activities, including those perpetrated by criminals or nation-state actors. Cybersecurity risks are heightened by the advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence, which more sophisticated attacks. While we have experienced cybersecurity in the past, none have been material or had a material effect on our business or financial condition. However, we may face additional or in the future.
We also use third-party service providers to process certain data or information on our behalf. Under applicable laws, we may be held responsible for cybersecurity incidents involving information we share with these providers. Although we require service providers to implement and maintain reasonable security measures, we cannot control their systems or guarantee that breaches will not occur. Despite efforts to refine our procedures, educate our employees, and implement security measures, no system is immune to unauthorized access or cyberattacks. Future upgrades may not be completely effective or may cause operational disruptions or fail to deliver the anticipated improvements.
A cyberattack or security breach could remain undetected for an extended period of time, with the investigation and remediation taking significant time and potentially repeating errors before containment. A breach or failure
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of our systems or networks, critical third-party systems, or those of our customers or vendors, could lead to operational disruptions, diversion of personnel attention, unplanned expenditures, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, theft or misappropriation of funds, violation of privacy laws, or exposure to litigation or indemnity claims. Moreover, any failure to disclose incidents to regulators, law enforcement or affected individuals in a timely manner could result in reputational harm and regulatory scrutiny, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
We operate in certain international areas through entities that we do not control and are subject to government regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies in favor of domestic ownership.
We conduct many of our international operations through entities in which we have a noncontrolling interest or through strategic alliances with foreign partners and we are subject to government regulation that limits foreign ownership of aircraft companies in favor of domestic ownership. Based on regulations in various markets in which we operate, the use of our local AOCs may be halted and we may lose our ability to operate within these countries if certain levels of local ownership are not maintained. The inability to utilize our local AOCs for any reason, including foreign ownership in excess of permitted levels, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations within these markets and our overall financial condition. We cannot assure you that there will be no changes in aviation laws, regulations or administrative requirements or the interpretations or applications thereof that could restrict or prohibit our ability to operate in certain regions or that would cause the cost of operating in the region to be uneconomical. Any such restriction or prohibition on our ability to operate in non-U.S. jurisdictions or any significant increase in operating costs in such jurisdictions as a result of changes in law and regulation or otherwise may have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, we have acquired interests in unconsolidated interests, or in some cases have lease and service agreements with entities that operate aircraft in Canada and Egypt. We provide engineering and administrative support to certain of these entities, and derive lease revenues, service revenues, equity earnings and dividend income from these entities. The interests of persons who control these entities or partners may differ from ours and may cause such entities to take actions that are not in our best interest. If we are unable to maintain our relationships with our partners in these entities, we could lose our ability to operate in these areas, potentially resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, an operational incident involving one of the entities over which we do not have operational control may nevertheless cause us reputational harm. See Part I, Item 1, “ Business – Government Regulation” for additional information.
Environmental regulations and liabilities may increase our costs and adversely affect our business.
Our operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and local and foreign environmental laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and health and safety. Any failure by us to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations may result in governmental authorities taking action against us that could adversely impact our operations and financial condition, including issuance of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, denial or revocation of permits or other authorizations, imposition of limitations on our operations, and performance of site investigatory, remedial or other corrective actions. In certain instances, citizen groups also have the ability to bring legal proceedings against us regarding our compliance with certain environmental laws, or to challenge our ability to receive permits that we need to operate.
Changes in environmental laws or regulations could require us to devote capital or other resources to comply with those laws and regulations and subject us to additional costs and restrictions, as well as increase costs of compliance and doing business for our customers and thereby decrease the demand for our services. Because our business depends on the level of activity in the offshore energy industry, existing or future laws, regulations, treaties or international agreements related to greenhouse gases and climate change, including incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources, could have a negative impact on our business if such laws, regulations, treaties or agreements reduce worldwide demand for offshore energy or limit drilling opportunities.
We are subject to legal compliance risks, including anti-corruption statutes, the violation of which may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. These laws and regulations relate to a number of aspects of our business, including import and export
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controls, the payment of taxes, employment and labor relations, fair competition, data privacy protections, securities regulation, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, economic sanctions and other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment. Compliance with these laws and regulations may involve significant costs or require changes in our business practices that result in reduced revenues and profitability. A failure to comply could also result in significant fines, damages and other criminal sanctions against us, our officers, employees, joint venture partners or strategic partners, prohibitions or additional requirements on the conduct of our business and damage to our reputation. Further, we could be charged with wrongdoing for any violation of such laws and regulations by our agents, local partners or joint ventures, even though such parties may not be subject to the applicable statutes or may not operate under our control. by us or one of our agents, joint ventures or strategic partners to comply with applicable export and trade practice laws could result in civil or and or of export privileges. Certain of law could also result in of or from government contracts. We incur additional legal compliance costs associated with our global regulations and the changes in laws or regulations and related interpretations and other guidance could result in higher expenses and payments. Uncertainty relating to such laws or regulations, including how they affect a business or how we are required to comply, may also affect how we conduct our operations and structure our investments and could limit our ability to enforce our rights.
In many foreign countries, particularly those with developing economies, it may be customary for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws such as the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, the Brazilian Clean Companies Act in Brazil, an anti-bribery law that is similar to the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act or other laws. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors, agents and business partners will not take action in violation of our internal policies or applicable law and any such violation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to complex and evolving U.S. and foreign laws and regulations regarding privacy and data protection.
We operate in a regulatory environment that is increasingly complex and constantly evolving with respect to data privacy and protection. Laws such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), Brazil’s Lei Geral de Protecão de Dados Pessoais (the “LGPD”), and similar legislation in jurisdictions where we operate, including the U.S. and the UK, pose significant compliance challenges and may elevate our operational costs. These laws are often subject to inconsistent interpretation and enforcement, and any failure, or perceived failure, to comply with applicable data protection laws could result in significant fines, penalties, judgments, negative publicity, and potentially require us to change our business practices. Regulatory scrutiny may also increase as global authorities, including those in regions where we operate, consider regulations addressing artificial intelligence and its intersection with data privacy. Compliance with these evolving requirements may further increase costs, adversely impact our business and increase the complexity of compliance, which could affect our business.
Actions taken by governmental agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation and the FAA, and similar agencies in the other jurisdictions in which we operate, could increase our costs and prohibit or reduce our ability to operate successfully.
Our industry is regulated by various laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The scope of such regulation includes infrastructure and operational issues relating to helicopters, maintenance, spare parts and route-flying rights as well as safety and security requirements. We cannot fully anticipate all changes that might be made to the laws and regulations to which we are subject or the possible impact of such changes. These changes could subject us to additional costs and restrictions.
U.S . Our operations are highly regulated by several U.S. government regulatory agencies. For example, as a certified air carrier, we are subject to regulations promulgated by the DOT and the FAA. The FAA regulates our flight operations and imposes requirements with respect to personnel, aircraft, ground facilities and other aspects of our operations, including: certification and reporting requirements; inspections; maintenance standards; permitted areas of operation; aircraft equipment and modification requirements; personnel training standards; and maintenance of personnel and aircraft records. The DOT can review our economic fitness to continue our operations, among other things. The Department of Commerce, through its Export Administration Regulations, and the Department of State, through its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”), regulate our imports and exports of aircraft (through leases and sales) as well as parts sales to international
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customers and the use of certain regulated technology in domestic and international airspace. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, or if these agencies develop concerns over our operations, we could face administrative, civil and criminal penalties. In addition, we may become subject to regulatory actions that could suspend, curtail or significantly modify our operations. A suspension or substantial curtailment of our operations or any substantial modification of our current operations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Other Countries and Regulations. Our operations in other jurisdictions, including the UK, Nigeria and Brazil, are regulated to various degrees by the governments of such jurisdictions and must be conducted in compliance with those regulations and, where applicable, in accordance with our air service licenses and AOCs. Such regulations may require us to obtain a license to operate in that country, favor local companies or require operating permits that can only be obtained by locally-registered companies and often impose other nationality requirements. In such cases, we partner with local persons, but there is no assurance regarding which foreign governmental regulations may be applicable to our helicopter operations in the future and whether we would be able to comply with them.
The revocation of any of the licenses discussed above or the termination of any of our relationships with local parties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Covenants in our debt agreements may restrict the manner in which we can operate our business.
The indenture governing the 6.750% Senior Notes due 2033 (the “6.750% Senior Notes”) and the UK Export Finance Facilities Agreement (“IRCG Debt”) limit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to borrow money or issue guarantees; pay dividends, redeem capital stock or make certain other restricted payments; incur liens to secure indebtedness; make certain investments; use assets for non-permitted purposes; sell certain assets; enter into transactions with our affiliates; or merge with another entity or sell substantially all of our assets. Our ability to observe certain of these covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to observe these covenants in the future.
If we fail to comply with these and other covenants, we would be in default under the equipment financings with the National Westminster Bank PLC (“UKSAR Debt”), our asset-backed revolving credit facility, the IRCG Debt and the indenture governing the 6.750% Senior Notes (together, our “Credit Facilities”), and the principal and accrued interest on our outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facilities may become due and payable. In addition, our other debt agreements and our future debt agreements may contain similar and additional affirmative and negative covenants. Our Credit Facilities are secured by many of our assets (including, in the aggregate, most of our owned helicopters), and such assets may not be available to secure additional financings. As a result, our ability to respond to changes in business and economic conditions and to obtain additional secured financing, if needed, may be significantly restricted.
Adverse results of legal proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are currently, and may in the future be, subject to legal and regulatory claims, investigations and proceedings that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our business. We cannot predict the results of such proceedings with any degree of certainty. Litigation may be both lengthy and disruptive to our operations and could cause significant expenditure and diversion of management attention. We may face significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against us, which could materially adversely affect a portion of our operations.
Changes in effective tax rates, taxation of our foreign subsidiaries or adverse outcomes resulting from examination of our tax returns could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, both domestically and internationally, or the interpretation or application thereof. From time to time, the U.S. federal, state, and foreign, governments enact legislation that could increase our effective tax rate or the effective tax rates of our consolidated affiliates. In August 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which, among other things, imposed a new 15% alternative minimum tax on the book income of certain corporations and a 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of shares. Additionally, on July 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted the legislation commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which, among other changes, extended the 21% U.S. corporate tax rate, business interest expense deduction limits, 100% bonus depreciation, domestic research cost expensing, and various international provisions, with certain modifications. The Company expects the primary
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impacts will be to Section 163j elections under the U.S. Tax Code. We cannot determine whether, or in what form, other future tax legislation will ultimately be enacted or what impact any such legislation could have on our profitability, and we will continue to monitor any such legislation.
Our future effective tax rates could also be adversely affected by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, the ultimate repatriation of earnings from foreign subsidiaries to the U.S., or by changes in tax laws, treaties, regulations, accounting principles or interpretations thereof in one or more countries in which we operate. In addition, we are subject to the potential examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities in jurisdictions where we file tax returns. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that such examinations will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the "OECD") announced the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting which proposed a two-pillar solution with a global minimum tax of 15% of reported profits (“Pillar 2”) to address tax challenges arising from digitalization of the economy. Currently, Pillar 2 has been agreed upon, in principle, by over 140 countries and, certain countries in which we operate have adopted some form of legislation, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement the minimum tax directive. Additionally, the U.S. has entered into a “side-by-side” arrangement with the OECD exempting U.S.-parented groups from the under taxed profits rule (UTPR) and the income inclusion rule (IIR) in respect of both their domestic and foreign profits. We are evaluating and monitoring the impacts from Pillar 2 although we currently do not expect it to have a material impact on our effective tax rate or our consolidated results of operation, financial position and cash flows.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock and Corporate Structure
We may be unable to meet our capital allocation framework, which could decrease expected returns on investment in our common stock.
Our capital allocation framework includes goals of paying down our debt and returning capital to our stockholders through share repurchases and dividends. There can be no assurance that we will seek or be able to do any of the foregoing on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Share repurchases and dividends are authorized and determined by the Board in its sole discretion and depend upon a number of factors, including the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, growth opportunities, restrictions in our financing arrangements and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. Any elimination of, or downward revision in, our share repurchase program, dividend payment plans or capital allocation framework could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Meeting our capital allocation framework strategy requires us to have available capital in the years ahead in an amount sufficient to enable us to maintain a strong balance sheet and liquidity position and pursue growth opportunities, as well as to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases and quarterly dividends. The amount of our cash flow in any quarter may vary and be more or less than our capital allocation framework.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our business or changes in our management.
Our certificate of incorporation (“certificate of incorporation”) and bylaws (“bylaws”) include certain provisions that could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of our business or changes in our management. Such provisions include, among other things: restrictions on the ability of our stockholders to fill a vacancy on the Board; restrictions related to the ability of non-U.S. citizens owning our common stock; our ability to issue preferred stock with terms that the Board may determine, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer; the absence of cumulative voting in the election of directors, which may limit the ability of minority stockholders to elect directors; and advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from soliciting proxies to elect a particular slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. These provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a transaction involving a change in control of our business that is in the interest of our stockholders. Even in the of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may materially affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as future takeover attempts.
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Regulations limit foreign ownership of our business, which could reduce the price of our common stock and cause owners of our common stock who are not U.S. persons to lose their voting rights.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that persons or entities that are not “citizens of the U.S.” (as defined in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (the “Federal Aviation Act”)) shall not collectively own or control more than 25% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock (the “Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage”) and that, if at any time persons that are not citizens of the U.S. nevertheless collectively own or control more than the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage, the voting rights of our outstanding voting capital stock in excess of the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage owned by stockholders who are not citizens of the U.S. shall automatically be reduced. These voting rights will be reduced pro rata among the holders of voting shares who are not citizens of the U.S. to equal the Permitted Foreign Ownership Percentage based on the number of votes to which the underlying voting securities are entitled. Shares held by persons who are not U.S. citizens may lose their associated voting rights and be redeemed as a result of these provisions. Accordingly, in the event of any vote by our stockholders, the voting rights of shares held by non-U.S. citizens would be reduced pursuant to our organizational documents if such ownership remains above 25% of our total outstanding common stock at the time of such vote. These restrictions may also have a material adverse impact on the liquidity or market value of our common stock because stockholders may be to transfer our common stock to persons who are not citizens of the U.S. and because persons who are not U.S. citizens may be or to hold shares of our common stock the voting rights of which have been reduced.
Our certificate of incorporation includes a forum selection clause, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.
Our certificate of incorporation requires that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our business, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employee of ours to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. This forum selection provision in our certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us, which may discourage such lawsuits against us.
