As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2009

Registration No. 333-160122

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 1

to

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AIRCASTLE LIMITED

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC

300 First Stamford Place

5th Floor

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(203) 504-1020

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

David R. Walton

Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(203) 504-1020

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

With a copy to:

 

Joseph A. Coco, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Telephone: (212) 735-3000

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 22, 2009

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

AIRCASTLE LIMITED

 

COMMON SHARES

PREFERENCE SHARES

DEPOSITARY SHARES

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

PURCHASE UNITS

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of (i) common shares, (ii) preference shares, (iii) depositary shares representing preference shares, (iv) debt securities, (v) warrants, (vi) subscription rights, (vii) purchase contracts and (viii) purchase units having an aggregate initial offering price not exceeding $1,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in foreign or composite currencies) on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The selling shareholders may also offer and sell, from time to time, up to 30,560,877 of our common shares. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common shares by selling shareholders.

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of the offering. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

 

We or the selling shareholders may offer and sell these securities through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The securities may also be resold by selling shareholders. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commissions or discount arrangements.

 

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the trading symbol “AYR.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 before you make your investment decision.

 

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Minister of Finance and the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda or the Bermuda Monetary Authority have approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is          , 2009.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 (and its related regulations) has been obtained from the Bermuda Monetary Authority for the issue and transfer of our shares and other securities to and between persons resident and non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes provided our shares remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes the NYSE. This prospectus will be filed with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda in accordance with Bermuda law. In granting such consent and in accepting this prospectus for filing, neither the Bermuda Monetary Authority nor the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda accepts any responsibility for our financial soundness or the correctness of any of the statements made or opinions expressed in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $1,000,000,000. In addition, certain of our shareholders may offer from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to 30,560,877 of our common shares.

 

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we and the selling shareholders may offer. Each time we or any selling shareholders sell securities described in the prospectus we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling shareholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the selling shareholders are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement on Form S-3, including its exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and, therefore, file reports and other information with the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents.

 

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering materials is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

 

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, we use the terms “Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to refer to Aircastle Limited and its subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term refers only to the parent company. References in this prospectus to “Fortress” refer to Fortress Investment Group LLC and certain of its affiliates, and references to the “Fortress funds” refer to certain shareholders of Aircastle which are managed by affiliates of Fortress. Throughout this prospectus, when we refer to our aircraft, we include aircraft that we have transferred into grantor trusts or similar entities for purposes of financing such assets through securitizations and term financings.

 

SUMMARY

 

You should consider the specific risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness and the financing of future acquisitions. We will have significant discretion in the use of any net proceeds. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in interest-bearing accounts and short-term interest-bearing securities until they are used for their stated purpose. We may provide additional information on the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities in an applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities.

 

We will not receive any proceeds in the event that the securities are sold by a selling shareholder.

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

 

The total fixed charges for 2004 were zero. Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness, capitalized interest and one-third of rentals, which we believe is a reasonable approximation of the interest factor of such rentals. Earnings available to cover fixed charges consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges, less capitalized interest during the period, plus current period amortization of interest capitalized in prior periods.

 

For the periods indicated above, we had no outstanding preference shares and we did not pay preferred dividends during these periods. Therefore, the combined ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preference share dividends are identical to the ratios of earnings to fixed charges presented above for all such periods.

 

The selected historical consolidated financial, operating and other data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 presented in this table are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and for the period from October 29, 2004 through December 31, 2004 presented in this table are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto. The selected financial data as of March 31, 2009 and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

 

We define EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. We use EBITDA to assess our consolidated financial and operating performance, and we believe this non-measure, is helpful in identifying trends in our performance. This measure provides an assessment of controllable expenses and affords management the ability to make decisions which are expected to facilitate meeting current financial goals as well as achieve optimal financial performance. It provides an indicator for management to determine if adjustments to current spending decisions are needed. EBITDA provides us with a measure of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges on our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) from our operating results.

The table below shows the reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA for the period October 29 through December 31, 2004, the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

 

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the common shares, preference shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and purchase units that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

General

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital consisted of:

 

 

As of July 17, 2009, there were outstanding 79,234,663 common shares and no outstanding preference shares. All of the currently outstanding common shares are fully paid. Our bye-laws permit us to issue shares that are not fully paid, subject to the right of our board of directors to make calls for unpaid amounts. Pursuant to our bye-laws, subject to any resolution of the shareholders to the contrary, our board of directors is authorized to issue any of our authorized but unissued shares. There are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of Bermuda to hold or vote our shares.

 

Set forth below is a summary description of all the material terms of our share capital. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to our memorandum of association and bye-laws.

 

Common Shares

 

Holders of common shares have no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights. Holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Our bye-laws provide that persons standing for election as directors at a duly constituted and quorate annual general meeting are elected by our shareholders by a plurality of the votes cast on the resolution. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preference shares.

 

Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AYR.” As of July 21, 2009, the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE was $7.18, and we had approximately 16,330 holders of record of our common shares.

 

Preference Shares

 

Pursuant to Bermuda law and our bye-laws, our board of directors by resolution may establish one or more series of preference shares having such number of shares, designations, dividend rates, relative voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, redemption rights, liquidation rights and other relative participation, optional or other powers, preferences and rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions as may be fixed by the board without any further shareholder approval. The rights with respect to a series of preference shares may be greater than the rights attached to our common shares. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any preference shares on the rights of holders of our common shares until our board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that preference share. The effect of issuing preference shares could include one or more of the following:

 

 

 

Dividend Rights

 

Under Bermuda law, a company’s board of directors may declare and pay dividends from time to time unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and issued share capital and share premium accounts. Under our bye-laws, each common share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preference shares. There are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares.

 

Variation of Rights

 

If at any time we have more than one class of shares, the rights attaching to any class, unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of the relevant class, may be varied either: (i) with the consent in writing of the holders of 50% of the issued shares of that class; or (ii) with the sanction of a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of the relevant class of shareholders at which a quorum consisting of at least two persons holding or representing two-thirds of the issued shares of the relevant class is present. Our bye-laws specify that the creation or issue of shares ranking equally with existing shares will not, unless expressly provided by the terms of issue of existing shares, vary the rights attached to existing shares. In addition, the creation or issue of preference shares ranking prior to common shares will not be deemed to vary the rights attached to common shares or, subject to the terms of any other series of preference shares, to vary the rights attached to any other series of preference shares.

 

Election and Removal of Directors

 

Our bye-laws provide that our board shall consist of not less than three and not more than eight directors as the board may from time to time determine. Our board of directors currently consists of seven directors. Our board is divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors is elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms are staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual general meeting. The current terms of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors will expire in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.

 

Any shareholder wishing to propose for election as a director someone who is not an existing director or is not proposed by our board must give notice of the intention to propose the person for election. Where a person is to be proposed for election as a director at an annual general meeting by a shareholder, that notice must be given not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the anniversary of the last annual general meeting prior to the giving of the notice or, in the event the annual general meeting is called for a date that is not 25 days before or after such anniversary, the notice must be given not later than ten days following the earlier of the date on which notice of the annual general meeting was mailed to shareholders or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the annual general meeting was made. Where a director is to be elected at a special general meeting, that notice must be given not later than 10 days following the earlier of the date on which notice of the special general meeting was mailed to shareholders or the date on which public disclosure of the date of the special general meeting was made. Such proposal must be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bye-laws.

 

A director may be removed with or without cause by a resolution of our shareholders, including the affirmative votes of at least 80.0% of all votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote on such resolution, provided that notice of the shareholders meeting convened to remove the director is given to the director. The notice must contain a statement of the intention to remove the director and must be served on the director not less than 14 days before the meeting. The director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

Corporate Opportunity

 

Our bye-laws provide that the Fortress funds, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Significant Shareholders”) have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from, exercising their right to engage or invest in the same or similar business as us, do business with any of our clients, customers or vendors or employ or otherwise engage any of our officers, directors or employees. If the Significant Shareholders or any of their officers, directors or employees acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us, our shareholders or affiliates.

 

Our bye-laws also provide that, in the event that any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer or employee of any of our Significant Shareholders acquires knowledge of a corporate opportunity or is offered a corporate opportunity, provided that this knowledge was not acquired solely in such person’s capacity as our director or officer and such person acted in good faith, then such person is not liable to us if any of the Significant Shareholders pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity or if such person did not present the corporate opportunity to us.

 

Acquisition of Common Shares by Aircastle and Option to Require Sale of Shares

 

Our bye-laws provide that we have the option, but not the obligation, to require a shareholder that is not a U.S. citizen or a qualified resident of the U.S. or of the other contracting state of the applicable tax treaty with the U.S. (as determined for purposes of the relevant provision of the limitation on benefits article of such treaty) owning more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common shares to sell its common shares for their fair market value to us, to other shareholders or to third parties if we determine that failure to exercise our option would result in adverse tax consequences to us or any of our subsidiaries. Our right to require a shareholder to sell its shares will be limited to the purchase of a number of shares that our directors, in the reasonable exercise of their discretion, determine is necessary to permit avoidance of those adverse tax consequences.

 

Shareholders Agreement

 

Upon the completion of our initial public offering, we entered into an Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, or the Shareholders Agreement, with Fortress Investment Fund III LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund D) L.P., Fortress Investment Fund III (Fund E) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund A) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund B) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund C) LP, Fortress Investment Fund III (Coinvestment Fund D) L.P., Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP, Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd. and Drawbridge Global Macro Master Fund Ltd., which we refer to, collectively, as the Initial Shareholders.

 

As discussed further below, the Shareholders Agreement provides certain rights to the Initial Shareholders with respect to the designation of directors for election to our Board as well as registration rights for certain of our securities owned by them.

 

The Shareholders Agreement provides that the Initial Shareholders and their respective affiliates and permitted transferees will vote or cause to be voted all of our voting shares beneficially owned by each and to take all other reasonably necessary action so that no amendment is made to the Company’s Memorandum of Association or Bye-laws in effect as of the date of the Shareholders Agreement that would add restrictions to the transferability of our shares by an Initial Shareholder or its permitted transferee which are beyond those provided for in our Memorandum of Association, Bye-laws, the Shareholders Agreement or applicable securities laws, or that nullify the rights set out in the Shareholders Agreement of any Initial Shareholder or their permitted transferee unless such amendment is approved by such shareholder.

 

Designation and Election of Directors

 

The Shareholders Agreement requires that the Initial Shareholders and their respective affiliates and permitted transferees vote or cause to be voted all of our voting shares beneficially owned by each and to take all other reasonably necessary action so as to elect to our Board so long as the Initial Shareholders beneficially own (i) more

than 50% of the voting power of the Company, four directors (or, if the Board consists of eight directors, five directors) designated by FIG Advisors LLC, an affiliate of Fortress, which we refer to as FIG Advisors, or such other party designated by Fortress; (ii) between 25% and 50% of the voting power of the Company, three directors designated by FIG Advisors; (iii) between 10% and 25% of the voting power of the Company, two directors designated by FIG Advisors; and (iv) between 5% and 10% of the voting power of the Company, one director designated by FIG Advisors. The Initial Shareholders also agree to vote their shares or otherwise take all necessary action to cause (1) the removal, with or without cause, of any director previously nominated by FIG Advisors upon notice from FIG Advisors of its desire to remove such a director and (2) in the event a designee of FIG Advisors ceases to serve as a director during his term in office, the filling of such vacancy with an individual designated by FIG Advisors.

 

In accordance with the Shareholders Agreement, FIG Advisors designated Wesley R. Edens, Joseph P. Adams, Jr., Peter V. Ueberroth and John Z. Kukral for election to our Board. If at any time the number of our directors entitled to be designated by FIG Advisors to the Shareholders Agreement shall decrease, within ten days thereafter, FIG Advisors shall cause the appropriate number of directors to resign and any such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of our Board. In connection with our follow-on public offering completed in October 2007, certain funds managed by affiliates of Fortress also sold 11,000,000 secondary common shares, as a result of which the Initial Shareholders and their respective affiliates ceased to own more than 50% of the voting power of the Company and the number of our directors entitled to be designated by FIG Advisors decreased from four to three directors. In connection with this offering, a special committee of our Board, comprised solely of Independent Directors, waived the requirement under our Shareholders Agreement that FIG Advisors cause one of the directors designated by it to resign from our Board. The special committee concluded that waiving such requirement under the Shareholders Agreement and continuing the current composition of our board, with a majority of Independent Directors, was in the best interests of our shareholders. As of July 21, 2009 certain Fortress funds owned approximately 37.3% of our shares.

 

Registration Rights

 

Demand Rights.  We have granted to the Initial Shareholders, for so long as such shareholders collectively and beneficially own an amount of our Common Shares (whether owned at the time of this offering or subsequently acquired) at least equal to 5% or more of our Common Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of our initial public offering (a “Registrable Amount”), “demand” registration rights that allow them at any time after six months following the consummation of such offering to request that we register under the Securities Act an amount equal to or greater than 5% of our Common Shares that they own. Each of the Initial Shareholders is entitled to an aggregate of two demand registrations, which can be a shelf registration. We are also not required to effect any demand registration within six months of a “firm commitment” underwritten offering to which the requestor held “piggyback” rights and which included at least 50% of the securities requested by the requestor to be included. We are not obligated to grant a request for a demand registration within four months of any other demand registration, and may refuse a request for demand registration if, in our reasonable judgment, it is not feasible for us to proceed with the registration because of the unavailability of audited financial statements.

 

Piggyback Rights.  For so long as they beneficially own an amount of our Common Shares at least equal to 1% of our Common Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of our initial public offering, the Initial Shareholders also have “piggyback” registration rights that allow them to include the Common Shares that they own in any public offering of equity securities initiated by us (other than those public offerings pursuant to registration statements on Forms S-4 or S-8) or by any of our other shareholders that have registration rights. The “piggyback” registration rights of these shareholders are subject to proportional cutbacks based on the manner of the offering and the identity of the party initiating such offering.

 

Shelf Registration.  We have granted each of the Initial Shareholders or any of their respective transferees, for so long as they beneficially own a Registrable Amount, the right to request a shelf registration on Form S-3 providing for offerings of our Common Shares to be made on a continuous basis until all shares covered by such registration have been sold, subject to our right to suspend the use of the shelf registration prospectuses for a reasonable period of time (not exceeding 60 days in succession or 90 days in the aggregate in any 12 month period) if we determine that certain disclosures required by the shelf registration statements would be detrimental to us or

our shareholders. In addition, the Initial Shareholders may elect to participate in such shelf registrations within ten days after notice of the registration is given.

 

Indemnification; Expenses.  We have agreed to indemnify each of the Initial Shareholders against any losses or damages resulting from any untrue statement or omission of material fact in any registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which they sell our common shares, unless such liability arose from such shareholder’s misstatement or omission, and each such shareholder has agreed to indemnify us against all losses caused by its misstatements or omissions. We will pay all expenses incidental to our performance under the Shareholders Agreement, and the Initial Shareholders will pay their respective portions of all underwriting discounts, commissions and transfer taxes relating to the sale of their Common Shares under the Shareholders Agreement.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

The following is a summary of certain provisions of our bye-laws that may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by shareholders.

 

The authorized but unissued common shares and our preference shares will be available for future issuance by the board of directors, subject to any resolutions of the shareholders. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued common shares and preference shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, amalgamation or otherwise.

 

Certain provisions of our bye-laws may make a change in control of Aircastle more difficult to effect. Our bye-laws provide for a staggered board of directors consisting of three classes of directors. Each class of directors are chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of our directors is elected for a three-year term of office by our shareholders. The terms of the directors in the first, second and third classes will expire in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. We believe that classification of our board of directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. The classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of shareholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. Thus, the classified board could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be in the best interest of our shareholders. Our bye-laws provide that persons standing for election as directors at a duly constituted and quorate annual general meeting are elected by our shareholders by a plurality of the votes cast on the resolution. In addition, our bye-laws provide that directors may be removed with or without cause by a resolution of our shareholders, including the affirmative votes of at least 80.0% of all votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote on such resolution. Our bye-laws also give us the option, but not the obligation, to require a shareholder that is not a U.S. citizen or a qualified resident of the U.S. or of the other contracting state of the applicable tax treaty with the U.S. (as determined for purposes of the relevant provision of the limitation on benefits article of such treaty) owning more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common shares to sell the shareholder’s common shares to us, to another shareholder or to third parties at fair market value if we determine that failure to exercise such option would result in adverse tax consequences to us or any of our subsidiaries.

 

Pursuant to our bye-laws, our preference shares may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine the rights, preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations and restrictions. See “— Preference Shares.”

 

Certain Provisions of Bermuda Law

 

We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident for Bermuda exchange control purposes. This designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies other than the Bermuda dollar, and there

are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents who are holders of our common shares.

 

This prospectus will be filed with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda pursuant to Part III of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (the “Companies Act”). In accepting this prospectus for filing, the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda shall not be liable for the financial soundness, performance or default of our business or for the correctness of any opinions or statements expressed in this prospectus.

 

In accordance with Bermuda law, share certificates are only issued in the names of companies, partnerships or individuals. In the case of a shareholder acting in a special capacity (for example as a trustee), certificates may, at the request of the shareholder, record the capacity in which the shareholder is acting. Notwithstanding such recording of any special capacity, we are not bound to investigate or see to the execution of any such trust. We will take no notice of any trust applicable to any of our shares, whether or not we have been notified of such trust.

 

Differences in Corporate Law

 

You should be aware that the Companies Act, which applies to us, differs in certain material respects from laws generally applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders. In order to highlight these differences, set forth below is a summary of material provisions of the Companies Act (including modifications adopted pursuant to our bye-laws) and Bermuda common law applicable to us which differ in certain respects from provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Duties of Directors.  The Companies Act authorizes the directors of a company, subject to its bye-laws, to exercise all powers of the company except those that are required by the Companies Act or the company’s bye-laws to be exercised by the shareholders of the company. Our bye-laws provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of directors. At common law, members of a board of directors owe a fiduciary duty to the company to act in good faith in their dealings with or on behalf of the company and exercise their powers and fulfill the duties of their office honestly. This duty includes the following essential elements:

 

 

The Companies Act imposes a duty on directors and officers of a Bermuda company:

 

 

In addition, the Companies Act imposes various duties on directors and officers of a company with respect to certain matters of management and administration of the company.

 

Directors and officers generally owe fiduciary duties to the company, and not to the company’s individual shareholders. Our shareholders may not have a direct cause of action against our directors.

 

Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of a corporation are managed by or under the direction of its board of directors. In exercising their powers, directors are charged with a fiduciary duty of care to protect the interests of the corporation and a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act in the best interests of its shareholders. The duty of care requires that directors act in an informed and deliberative manner and inform themselves, prior to making a business decision, of all material information reasonably available to them. The duty of care also requires that directors exercise care in overseeing and investigating the conduct of corporate employees. The duty of loyalty may be summarized as the duty to act in good faith, not out of self-interest, and in a manner which the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the shareholders.

Delaware law provides that a party challenging the propriety of a decision of a board of directors bears the burden of rebutting the applicability of the presumptions afforded to directors by the “business judgment rule.” The business judgment rule is a presumption that in making a business decision, directors acted on an informed basis and that the action taken was in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and accordingly, unless the presumption is rebutted, a board’s decision will be upheld unless there can be no rational business purpose for the action or the action constitutes corporate waste. If the presumption is not rebutted, the business judgment rule attaches to protect the directors and their decisions, and their business judgments will not be second guessed. Where, however, the presumption is rebutted, the directors bear the burden of demonstrating the entire fairness of the relevant transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Delaware courts may subject directors’ conduct to enhanced scrutiny in respect of defensive actions taken in response to a threat to corporate control or the approval of a transaction resulting in a sale of control of the corporation.

 

Interested Directors.  Bermuda law and our bye-laws provide that if a director has an interest in a material transaction or proposed material transaction with us or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest in any person that is a party to such a transaction, the director must disclose the nature of that interest at the first opportunity either at a meeting of directors or in writing to the directors. Our bye-laws provide that, after a director has made such a declaration of interest, he is allowed to be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present and to vote on a transaction in which he has an interest, unless disqualified from doing so by the chairman of the relevant board meeting. Under Delaware law, such transaction would not be voidable if (i) the material facts as to such interested director’s relationship or interests are disclosed or are known to the board of directors and the board in good faith authorizes the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, (ii) such material facts are disclosed or are known to the shareholders entitled to vote on such transaction and the transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the majority of shares entitled to vote thereon or (iii) the transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified. Under Delaware law, such interested director could be held liable for a transaction in which such director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

Voting Rights and Quorum Requirements.  Under Bermuda law, the voting rights of our shareholders are regulated by our bye-laws and, in certain circumstances, the Companies Act. Under our bye-laws, at any general meeting, two or more persons present in person at the start of the meeting and representing in person or by proxy more than 50% of all votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote at the meeting, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Generally, except as otherwise provided in the bye-laws, or the Companies Act, any action or resolution requiring approval of the shareholders may be passed by a simple majority of votes cast except for the election of directors which requires only a plurality of the votes cast.

 

Any individual who is a shareholder of the company and who is present at a meeting may vote in person, as may any corporate shareholder that is represented by a duly authorized representative at a meeting of shareholders. Our bye-laws also permit attendance at general meetings by proxy, provided the instrument appointing the proxy is in the form specified in the bye-laws or such other form as the board may determine. Under our bye-laws, each holder of common shares is entitled to one vote per common share held.

 

Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the company’s certificate of incorporation, each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by the stockholder. Delaware law provides that unless otherwise provided in a company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. In matters other than the election of directors, with the exception of special voting requirements related to extraordinary transactions, and unless otherwise provided in a company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting entitled to vote is required for stockholder action, and the affirmative vote of a plurality of shares is required for the election of directors.

 

Dividends.  Under Bermuda law, a company may not declare or pay dividends if there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (i) the company is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (ii) that the realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities, its issued share capital (par value) and its share premium accounts (share premium being the amount of consideration paid for the subscription of shares in excess of the par value of those shares). As a result, in future years, if the realizable value of a company’s assets decreases, its ability to make or maintain dividend payments may depend upon its shareholders’

approval of resolutions reducing the share premium account by transferring funds to the contributed surplus account. Under our bye-laws, each common share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preference shares. Issued share capital is the aggregate par value of the company’s issued shares, and share premium is the aggregate amount paid for issued shares over and above their par value. Share premium accounts may be reduced in certain limited circumstances.

 

Under Delaware law, subject to any restrictions contained in the company’s certificate of incorporation, a company may pay dividends out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year. Delaware law also provides that dividends may not be paid out of net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, capital is less than the capital represented by the outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

 

Amalgamations, Mergers and Similar Arrangements.  The amalgamation of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation (other than certain affiliated companies) requires the amalgamation agreement to be approved by the company’s board of directors and by its shareholders. Unless the company’s bye-laws provide otherwise, the approval of 75% of the shareholders voting at such meeting is required to approve the amalgamation agreement, and the quorum for such meeting must be two persons holding or representing more than one-third of the issued shares of the company. Our bye-laws provide that a merger or an amalgamation (other than with certain affiliated companies) that has been approved by the board must only be approved by a majority of the votes cast at a general meeting of the shareholders at which the quorum shall be two or more persons present in person at the start of the meeting and representing in person or by proxy more than 50% of all votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote at the meeting. Any merger or amalgamation not approved by our board must be approved by a shareholders resolution, including the affirmative vote of at least 66% of all votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote on such matter.

 

Under Bermuda law, in the event of an amalgamation of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation, a shareholder of the Bermuda company who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation and is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for such shareholder’s shares may, within one month of notice of the shareholders meeting, apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda to appraise the fair value of those shares.

 

Under Delaware law, with certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all the assets of a corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Under Delaware law, a shareholder of a corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which such shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by such shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration such shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction.

 

Takeovers.  An acquiring party is generally able to acquire compulsorily the common shares of minority holders in the following ways:

 

 

 

Delaware law provides that a parent corporation, by resolution of its board of directors and without any shareholder vote, may merge with any subsidiary of which it owns at least 90% of each class of its capital stock. Upon any such merger, dissenting shareholders of the subsidiary would have appraisal rights.

 

Shareholders’ Suits.  Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or illegal, or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

 

When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner which is oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company.

 

Our bye-laws contain a provision by virtue of which our shareholders waive any claim or right of action that they have, both individually and on our behalf, against any director or officer in relation to any action or failure to take action by such director or officer, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. We have been advised by the Securities and Exchange Commission that in their opinion, the operation of this provision as a waiver of the right to sue for violations of federal securities laws would likely be unenforceable in U.S. courts.

 

Class actions and derivative actions generally are available to shareholders under Delaware law for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. In such actions, the court generally has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.  Section 98 of the Companies Act provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors and officers against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise be imposed on them in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, except in cases where such liability arises from fraud or dishonesty of which such director or officer may be guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors and officers against any liability incurred by them in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda pursuant to section 281 of the Companies Act. Section 98 of the Companies Act further provides that a company may advance moneys to an officer for the costs, charges and expenses incurred by the officer in defending any civil or criminal proceedings against them, on condition that the officer shall repay the advance if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against them.

 

We have adopted provisions in our bye-laws that provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors in respect of their actions and omissions, except in respect of their fraud or dishonesty. Our bye-laws provide that the shareholders waive all claims or rights of action that they might have, individually or in right of the company, against any of the company’s directors or officers for any act or failure to act in the performance of such director’s or officer’s duties, except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or officer. Section 98A of the

Companies Act permits us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any officer or director in respect of any loss or liability attaching to him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, whether or not we may otherwise indemnify such officer or director. We have purchased and maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability policy for such a purpose.

 

Under Delaware law, a corporation may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in defense of an action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position if (i) such director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

 

Inspection of Corporate Records.  Members of the general public have the right to inspect our public documents available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda and our registered office in Bermuda, which will include our memorandum of association (including its objects and powers) and certain alterations to our memorandum of association. Our shareholders have the additional right to inspect our bye-laws, minutes of general meetings and audited financial statements, which must be presented to the annual general meeting of shareholders. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public without charge. The register of members is required to be open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day (subject to the ability of a company to close the register of members for not more than 30 days in a year). A company is required to maintain its share register in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, establish a branch register outside of Bermuda. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of directors and officers that is open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records. Delaware law permits any shareholder to inspect or obtain copies of a corporation’s shareholder list and its other books and records for any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a shareholder.

 

Shareholder Proposals.  Under Bermuda law, shareholder(s) may, as set forth below and at their own expense (unless the company otherwise resolves), require the company to: (i) give notice to all shareholders entitled to receive notice of the annual general meeting of any resolution that the shareholder(s) may properly move at the next annual general meeting; and/or (ii) circulate to all shareholders entitled to receive notice of any general meeting a statement in respect of any matter referred to in any proposed resolution or any business to be conducted at such general meeting. The number of shareholders necessary for such a requisition is either: (i) any number of shareholders representing not less than 5% of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting to which the requisition relates; or (ii) not less than 100 shareholders. Delaware law does not include a provision restricting the manner in which nominations for directors may be made by shareholders or the manner in which business may be brought before a meeting although restrictions may be included in a Delaware company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

 

Calling of Special Shareholders Meetings.  Under Aircastle’s bye-laws, a special general meeting may be called by the President, the chairman of the board or the board of directors. The board of directors must call a special general meeting upon the request of Fortress or any “significant shareholder” or “affiliate” of such shareholder (both as defined in the bye-laws) so long as the significant shareholder and its affiliates collectively hold shares carrying at least 10% of the votes attaching to all shares, at the time of such request. Bermuda law also provides that a special general meeting must be called upon the request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid-up capital of the company carrying the right to vote at general meetings. Delaware law permits the board of directors or any person who is authorized under a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bye-laws to call a special meeting of shareholders.

 

Amendment of Organizational Documents.  Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may be amended by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders of which due notice has been given. Certain amendments to the memorandum of association may require approval of the Bermuda Minister of Finance, who may grant or withhold approval at his or her discretion.

Under Bermuda law, the holders of an aggregate of not less than 20% in par value of a company’s issued share capital have the right to apply to the Bermuda courts for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association adopted by shareholders at any general meeting, other than an amendment which alters or reduces a company’s share capital as provided in the Companies Act. Where such an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Bermuda court. An application for an annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within 21 days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their designees as such holders may appoint in writing for such purpose. No application may be made by the shareholders voting in favor of the amendment.

 

Under Delaware law, amendment of the certificate of incorporation, which is the equivalent of a memorandum of association, of a company must be made by a resolution of the board of directors setting forth the amendment, declaring its advisability, and either calling a special meeting of the shareholders entitled to vote or directing that the proposed amendment be considered at the next annual meeting of the shareholders. Delaware law requires that, unless a different percentage is provided for in the certificate of incorporation, a majority of the voting power of the corporation is required to approve the amendment of the certificate of incorporation at the shareholders meeting. If the amendment would alter the number of authorized shares or par value or otherwise adversely affect the rights or preference of any class of a company’s stock, the holders of the issued and outstanding shares of such affected class, regardless of whether such holders are entitled to vote by the certificate of incorporation, are entitled to vote as a class upon the proposed amendment. However, the number of authorized shares of any class may be increased or decreased, to the extent not falling below the number of shares then issued and outstanding, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock entitled to vote, if so provided in the company’s certificate of incorporation that was authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of such class or classes of stock.

 

Amendment of Bye-laws.  Except as provided below, Aircastle’s bye-laws provide that the bye-laws may only be rescinded, altered or amended upon approval by a resolution of Aircastle’s board of directors and by a resolution of our shareholders.

 

Those bye-laws regarding the election of directors, classes of directors, the term of office of directors and amalgamations may only be rescinded, altered or amended upon approval by a resolution of the directors and by a resolution of our shareholders, including the affirmative votes of at least 66.0% of the votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote on such resolution.

 

Those bye-laws dealing with the removal of directors and corporate opportunity may only be rescinded, altered or amended upon approval by a resolution of the directors and by a resolution of our shareholders, including the affirmative votes of at least 80.0% of the votes attaching to all shares in issue entitling the holder to vote on such resolution.

 

Under Delaware law, unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide for a different vote, holders of a majority of the voting power of a corporation and, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, the directors of the corporation have the power to adopt, amend and repeal the bylaws of a corporation. Those bye-laws dealing with the election of directors, classes of directors and the term of office of directors may only be rescinded, altered or amended upon approval by a resolution of the directors and by a resolution of shareholders carrying not less than 66% of all shares entitled to vote on the resolution.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

A register of holders of the common shares is maintained by Codan Services Limited in Bermuda, and a branch register is maintained in the United States by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, who serves as branch registrar and transfer agent. The telephone number of Codan Services Limited is +1 (441) 295-5950 and of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is +1 (212) 936-5100.

 

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the depositary shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary shares offered by that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those depositary shares.

 

We may issue depositary receipts representing interests in a particular series of preference shares which are called depositary shares. We will deposit the series of preference shares which are the subject of depositary shares with a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, which will hold the preference shares for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preference shares to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in the preference shares.

 

While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preference shares may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preference shares, all deposit agreements relating to preference shares we issue will include the following provisions:

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preference shares of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of preference shares an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.

 

Withdrawal of Preference Shares

 

A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preference shares, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

Whenever we redeem preference shares held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of preference shares held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those preference shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.

 

Voting

 

Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a series of preference shares to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preference shares to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of a depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of preference shares (or fraction of a share) which is represented by the depositary share.

Conversion

 

If a series of preference shares are convertible into common shares or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preference shares will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the common shares or other securities or property into which the number of preference shares (or fractions of shares) to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.

 

Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement

 

We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preference shares to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preference shares to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preference shares to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

There will be provisions: (1) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preference shares to which the depositary shares relate; (2) regarding compensation of the depositary; (3) regarding resignation of the depositary; (4) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (5) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.

 

We may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible. We may issue debt securities in one or more series.

 

The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The form of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture, any related securities documents and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture and any related security documents, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indenture.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate office of the trustee or the principal corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Global Securities

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common shares, preference shares or debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under one or more warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a warrant agent to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

 

 

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of common shares, preference shares or debt securities at the exercise price stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the common shares, preference shares or debt securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

 

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement and warrant certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant certificate or warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable warrant certificate, the applicable warrant agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase common shares, preference shares, debt securities or other securities. We may issue subscription rights independently or together with any other offered security, which may or may not be transferable by the securityholder. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights we may offer will contain the specific terms of the subscription rights. These terms may include the following:

 

 

 

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement if we offer subscription rights, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate, the applicable subscription rights agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

 

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of common shares, preference shares or debt securities issued by us or by third parties as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase on specified dates, such securities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the securities otherwise deliverable, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract. The price per security and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the applicable purchase contracts.

 

The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as “purchase units.”

 

The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner. The purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or the purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts or purchase units we may offer will contain the specific terms of the purchase contracts or purchase units. These terms may include the following:

 

 

 

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any purchase contract or purchase unit we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable purchase contract or purchase unit, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer purchase contracts or purchase units. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any purchase contract or purchase unit we may offer, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable purchase contract or applicable purchase unit and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

 

The following table presents certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares that may be sold by the selling shareholders from time to time in one or more transactions. Please see the “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” section of the proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders held on May 13, 2009, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, for a description of material relationships between us and the selling shareholders. To our knowledge, none of the selling shareholders is a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer.

 

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, the number of common shares subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date hereof are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table or pursuant to applicable community property laws, each shareholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such shareholder’s name. The percentages of beneficial ownership set forth below are based on 79,234,663 common shares outstanding on July 17, 2009. Information below with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each selling shareholder and we have not sought to verify such information.

 

The address of the persons and entities listed in the table below is c/o Fortress Investment Group Holdings LLC, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, New York 10105.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We and the selling shareholders may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

 

 

A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, subscriptions, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.

 

In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus and the manner in which the selling shareholders may sell the common shares, include, without limitation, through:

 

 

We or the selling shareholders may also enter into hedging transactions. For example, we may:

 

 

In addition, we or the selling shareholders may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with

such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

 

A prospectus supplement with respect to each offering of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

 

The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

 

 

General

 

Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We or the selling shareholders will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

 

Underwriters and Agents

 

If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We or the selling shareholders may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

 

Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we or the selling shareholders will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We or the selling shareholders may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We or the selling shareholders may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

 

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we or the selling shareholders may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we or the selling shareholders receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

 

Dealers

 

We or the selling shareholders may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us may allow other dealers to participate in resales.

 

Direct Sales

 

We or the selling shareholders may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

 

Institutional Purchasers

 

We or the selling shareholders may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be, will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.

 

We or the selling shareholders will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we or the selling shareholders, as applicable, approve(s). These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.

 

Indemnification

 

We or the selling shareholders may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

 

There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than the common shares which are listed on the NYSE. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preference shares or warrants on any securities exchange or quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preference shares or warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

In connection with any offering of common shares, the underwriters may purchase and sell common shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common shares in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing common shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

 

In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

 

Fees and Commissions

 

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be; however, it is anticipated that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be significantly less than this amount.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters as to U.S. and New York law will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters as to Bermuda law will be passed upon for us by Conyers Dill & Pearman, Hamilton, Bermuda. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Aircastle Limited appearing in Aircastle Limited’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Certain statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not necessarily limited to, statements relating to our ability to acquire, sell and lease aircraft, raise capital, pay dividends, and increase revenues, earnings and EBITDA

and the global aviation industry and aircraft leasing sector. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates” and variations on these words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors that could lead to actual results materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements; Aircastle Limited can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplements or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could cause actual results to differ materially from Aircastle Limited’s expectations include, but are not limited to, prolonged capital markets disruption and volatility, which may adversely affect our continued ability to obtain additional capital to finance our working capital needs, our pre-delivery payment obligations and other aircraft acquisition commitments, our ability to extend or replace our existing financings, and the demand for and value of aircraft; our exposure to increased bank and counterparty risk caused by credit and capital markets disruptions; general economic conditions and business conditions affecting demand for aircraft and lease rates; our continued ability to obtain favorable tax treatment in Bermuda, Ireland and other jurisdictions; our ability to pay dividends; high or volatile fuel prices, lack of access to capital, reduced load factors and yields and other factors affecting the creditworthiness of our airline customers and their ability to continue to perform their obligations under our leases; termination payments on our interest rate hedges; and other risks detailed from time to time in Aircastle Limited’s filings with the SEC, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Aircastle to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Aircastle Limited expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may inspect without charge any documents filed by us at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Aircastle Limited.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered part of this prospectus, and information filed with the SEC subsequent to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):

 

 

We also incorporate by reference any future filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the date all of the securities offered hereby are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated, with the exception of any information furnished under Item 2.02 and

Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed and which is not incorporated by reference herein. Any such filings shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of those documents.

 

We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).

 

You may request a copy of these documents by writing or telephoning us at:

 

Aircastle Limited

c/o Aircastle Advisor LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 504-1020

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

 

The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne by the registrant. Such expenses (except the SEC Registration Fee) are estimated to be as follows:

 

 

 

Our bye-laws contain a broad waiver by our shareholders of any claim or right of action, both individually and on our behalf, against any of our officers or directors. The waiver applies to any action taken by an officer or director, or the failure of an officer or director to take any action, in the performance of his or her duties, except with respect to any matter involving any fraud or dishonesty on the part of the officer or director. The waiver limits the right of shareholders to assert claims against our officers and directors unless the act or failure to act involves fraud or dishonesty. Our bye-laws also indemnify our directors and officers in respect of their actions and omissions, except in respect of their fraud or dishonesty. The indemnification provided in the bye-laws is not exclusive of other indemnification rights to which a director or officer may be entitled, provided these rights do not extend to his or her fraud or dishonesty.

 

Section 98 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, or the Companies Act, provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors and officers against any liability which by virtue of any rule of law otherwise would be imposed on them in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, except in cases where such liability arises from fraud or dishonesty of which such director or officer may be guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors and officers against any liability incurred by them in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda pursuant to Section 281 of the Companies Act. Section 98 of the Companies Act further provides that a company may advance moneys to an officer for the costs, charges and expenses incurred by the officer in defending any civil or criminal proceedings against them, on condition that the officer shall repay the advance if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against them. The registrant maintains standard policies of insurance under which coverage is provided (a) to its directors and officers against loss rising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act, and (b) to the registrant with respect to payments which may be made by the registrant to such officers and directors pursuant to the above indemnification provision or otherwise as a matter of law.

 

We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. Each indemnification agreement provides, among other things, for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law and our bye-laws against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of any claim. The indemnification agreements provide for the advancement or payment of all expenses to the indemnitee and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such indemnitee is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law and our bye-laws.

 

For the undertaking with respect to indemnification, see Item 17 herein.

 

The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to Exhibits on page II-5 and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(A)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

Provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i), (A)(1)(ii) and (A)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective

date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(B) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(C) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(D) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act:

 

(i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut, on the 22^nd day of July, 2009.

 

AIRCASTLE LIMITED

 

Name:     Ron Wainshal

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX