Detailed Narrative
Strategic Priorities and H2 Outlook
AerSale continues to focus on monetizing its asset base, scaling MRO operations, and growing recurring revenue streams. Despite Q2 revenue and adjusted EBITDA coming in below prior year, management views these results as timing-related📎, not indicative of trajectory. Significant investments in new capacity and capabilities at Goodyear, Millington, and Landing Gear are expected to drive stronger results in the second half of the year as volumes build and efficiencies improve. The company anticipates a "meaningfully stronger" second half, supported by an active leasing pipeline and accelerating asset sales.
MRO Operations Ramp-up and Margin Impact
The company is ramping up MRO operations at Millington and Goodyear. Millington's new CRJ 700-900 multi-line maintenance program drove higher MRO revenue, but startup costs weighed on margins. At Goodyear, additional labor was carried in anticipation of heavy maintenance work, which has been slower to develop, impacting margins. However, an increase in stored aircraft at Goodyear is expected to accelerate production. Landing gear operations are also seeing increased volume from two key customer programs (737 MAX and 787), contributing to confidence in long-term growth and margin recovery as utilization increases.
Asset Monetization Strategy
AerSale is focused on growing its recurring revenue through leasing and MRO, while also executing on select flight equipment sales for higher margin realization. The company placed its fourth 757 converted freighter on lease in July and executed a lease for a fifth, with only two remaining to monetize. The strategy involves dedicating cash to prepare material for sale or lease, with expected recovery and returns in H2. A $35 million 737 aircraft sale to the U.S. Marshal Service is expected to close in late Q3 or early Q4, alongside several engine sales.
USM Sales and Feedstock Acquisition
Lower USM sales contributed to the overall revenue decline, reflecting reduced feedstock acquisitions in the first half ($5.6 million in Q2 FY26 vs. $27.1 million in Q2 FY25) due to disciplined pricing in a competitive market. The company also consumed USM material to build serviceable flight equipment for sale or lease, a reallocation strategy aimed at realizing higher returns than selling material as piece parts. Management highlighted that assembling assets from USM parts can yield significantly higher margins and incremental dollar amounts compared to selling individual piece parts.
AeroWare Product Development
Demand for the AeroWare product remains strong, with an expected peak in Q3 FY26 ahead of the FAA's November 2026 compliance deadline for fuel tank flammability. The company is engaged with U.S. regulators and industry participants to highlight AeroWare's capabilities in enhancing situational awareness and flight safety. Management believes the growing regulatory focus on ADS-B in and pilot situational awareness supports the long-term opportunity for AeroWare, which offers meaningful advantages over existing technologies.
Cash Flow and Liquidity
Cash used in operating activities was $33.5 million year-to-date, primarily due to continued investment in inventory (feedstock and make-ready costs) for flight equipment. This is viewed as deliberate capital deployment expected to be monetized at attractive margins in H2, improving profitability and liquidity. The company ended the quarter with $376 million in inventory, $133 million in aircraft and engines held for lease, and $34 million in available liquidity, including $2.2 million cash and $31.8 million on its $180 million revolving credit facility.
Yellow Aircraft and Engine Monetization
The company is storing 84 ex-Spirit Airlines aircraft, referred to as "yellow airplanes," which will require maintenance as they come out of storage. Lessors are waiting for engines to become available, with some opting to part out airframes due to the high value of serviceable engines. This situation is expected to drive significant heavy maintenance work at Goodyear. The unavailability of engines continues to ground aircraft, but AerSale anticipates filling its Goodyear capacity for the next year with maintenance work on these and other customer aircraft.