Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:

• Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market corroborated inputs.

• Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants price the asset or liability.

The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

• The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

• The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectation about those future amounts.

• The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).

The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.

	Fair Value as of December 31, 2019		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Valuation Technique
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	140,882	$	140,882	$	—	$	—	Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	14,561		14,561		—		—		Market
Derivative assets	115		—		115		—		Market
Total	$	155,558	$	155,443	$	115	$	—

	Fair Value as of December 31, 2018		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Valuation Technique
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	152,719	$	152,719	$	—	$	—	Market
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	15,134		15,134		—		—		Market
Derivative assets	4,886		—		4,886		—		Market
Total	$	172,739	$	167,853	$	4,886	$	—

Our cash and cash equivalents, along with our restricted cash and cash equivalents balances, consist largely of money market securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy. Our interest rate derivative included in Level 2 consists of United States dollar-denominated interest rate cap, and its fair value is based on the market comparisons for similar instruments. We also considered the credit rating and risk of the counterparty providing the interest rate cap based on quantitative and qualitative factors.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3.

We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, when U.S. GAAP requires the application of fair value, including events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may

not be recoverable. Assets subject to these measurements include our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and aircraft. We record aircraft at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. Fair value measurements for aircraft in impairment tests are based on an income approach which uses Level 3 inputs, which include the Company’s assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft.

We account for our investment in unconsolidated joint ventures under the equity method of accounting. Investments are recorded at cost and are adjusted by undistributed earnings and losses and the distributions of dividends and capital. These investments are also reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the fair value is less than its carrying value and the decline is other-than-temporary.

Aircraft Valuation

Transactional Impairments

On April 10, 2019, the Company early terminated the leases for seven Boeing 737NG aircraft on lease to Jet Airways (India) Limited (“Jet Airways”) due to lessee default. As a result of these lease terminations, the Company recognized net maintenance revenue of $17,554 and impairment charges of $7,404 in the second quarter of 2019. We did not record any transactional impairments during 2018.

Annual Recoverability Assessment

We completed our annual recoverability assessment of our aircraft in the second quarter this year. We also performed aircraft-specific analyses where there were changes in circumstances, such as approaching lease expirations. Other than the transactional impairment discussed above, no other impairments were recorded during 2019.

The recoverability assessment is a comparison of the carrying value of each aircraft to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. We develop the assumptions used in the recoverability assessment, including those relating to current and future demand for each aircraft type, based on management’s experience in the aircraft leasing industry, as well as information received from third-party sources. Estimates of the undiscounted cash flows for each aircraft type are impacted by changes in contracted and future expected lease rates, residual values, expected scrap values, economic conditions and other factors.

Management believes that the net book value of each aircraft is currently supported by the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that aircraft and, accordingly, no aircraft were impaired as a consequence of our annual recoverability assessment. However, if our estimates or assumptions change, we may revise our cash flow assumptions and record future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in the annual recoverability assessment are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts borrowed under financings and interest rate derivatives. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short-term nature.

The fair value of our senior notes is estimated using quoted market prices. The fair values of all our other financings are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
	Carrying Amount of Liability		Fair Value of Liability		Carrying Amount of Liability		Fair Value of Liability
Credit Facilities	$	150,000	$	150,000	$	425,000	$	425,000
Unsecured Term Loan	215,000		215,000		120,000		120,000
ECA Financings	147,644		150,805		189,080		190,216
Bank Financings	993,593		1,010,482		619,715		623,604
Senior Notes	3,600,000		3,787,268		3,450,000		3,446,826

All of our financial instruments are classified as Level 2 with the exception of our senior notes, which are classified as Level 1.