Goodrich sees MRO recovery in 2H2010, Safran in agreement. AAR Corp and Air Partner report results

His commentary has been supported by the outlook of engine manufacturer Safran. CEO, Jean-Paul Herteman, stated yesterday that the aftermarket sector remains volatile and a recovery is not due until the end of the year. Safran expects engine deliveries to be stable in 1Q2010.

Meanwhile, Safran has dismissed reports that it is involved in a dispute with EADS over delays to the A400M. Reports last week indicated that EADS was seeking EUR500 million in damages over the delays to the aircraft's turboprop engines.

Elsewhere in the aviation supply chain, Boeing Capital Corp stated that the sentiment in the aircraft financing market is improving, as witnessed by ILFC's expansion of its loan deal from USD750 million to USD1.3 billion. The company's General Manager of Aircraft Financial Services commented that although there has been a downturn in aircraft values, there have been no "fire sales" of aircraft, as had been feared. ILFC has reportedly received interest from four parties for a planned sale of USD3.5 billion in aircraft assets. See related report: Who will get ILFC's aircraft?

Aircraft lease values for newer used aircraft are stabilising, with some indications of increases, although Boeing VP Marketing, Randy Tinseth, cautioned of continued weakness in the broader leasing community, private equity firms and hedge funds, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The 'funding gap' for aircraft purchases is nonetheless expected to fall to USD2-4 billion this year, with Airbus and Boeing cutting their financing commitments as traditional sources of funding re-open and export credit agencies remain strong lenders.

AAR reports 42.5% cut in profit in third quarter

AAR Corp reported revenue of USD309.6 million and net income of USD9.9 million for the third quarter of its FY2010, ended 28-Feb-2010. Revenue declined 8.6%, affected by a 15% decline in sales to commercial customers, while net income was down 42.5%.

Commercial sales saw a gradual increase in Feb-2010, according to Chairman and CEO, David P Storch, but the operating environment was still described a difficult.

Aviation Supply Chain sales declined 14% to USD22.6 million, while MRO sales declined 9% to USD70.1 million. AAR added new MRO work for Hawaiian Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Alaska Airlines and landing gear overhaul for an unannounced "major US carrier". The new business was unable to offset lower sales to existing customers, due to reduced maintenance requirements across the industry caused by fleet reductions and lower discretionary maintenance spending. Structures and Systems sales declined 3% to USD116.9 million for the third quarter and gross profit was USD26.4 million.

ARR was hit by the Mesa Air Group Chapter 11 filing, with a USD6.1 million cut in revenue attributed to the bankruptcy.

AAR shares lost 0.8% yesterday.

Air Partner trades down heavily

Meanwhile, lessor Air Partner's shares slid 10.3% on Tuesday, with the company reporting a pre-tax profit of GBP1.0 million (a 77% decrease) and a net loss of GBP1.2 million for the six month to 31-Jan-2010, the first half of its financial year. Overall sales were down 7% year-on-year, to GBP95.0 million.

During the period, the company placed it Private Jet Operating Company into administration to stem heavy losses. Air Partner suffered a GBP2.4 million impairment due to the move. Its Commercial Jet Broking Division also noted that the market still suffers from overcapacity and discounting continues.

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Selected Aviation suppliers' daily share price movements (% change): 16-Mar-2010

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation & Yahoo! Finance