UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202023

 

OR

 

☐   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Transition Period from _______________ to ________________

 

Commission File Number: 000-52593

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

87-0617649

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

20 South Street, Pier 6 East River

New York, NY

10004

New York, NY

10004

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(212) 776-4046

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Common Stock, $0.03 par value

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes

 

No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

Yes

 

No

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

Large accelerated filer    

☐ 

Accelerated filer     ☐

☐ 

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262 (b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ☐            No ☒

 

As of June 30, 20202023 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the close of such business day was $2,325,821. .$3,180,693.

 

As of March 31, 2021,April 01, 2024, the Registrant had 1,028,863985,888 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.03 per share, issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-K

INDEX

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

14

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

37

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

811

ITEM 1C.

CYBER SECURITY

11

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

812

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

812

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

812

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

912

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATARESERVED

913

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1013

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

1820

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

2021

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

3736

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

3736

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

3736

ITEM 9C.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

36

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

3837

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

4139

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

4241

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

4544

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

4544

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

46

45

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

4746

 

SIGNATURES

4847

 

THIS FORM 10-K CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE SET FORTH IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MIGHT CAUSE SUCH A DIFFERENCE ARE DISCUSSED IN ITEM 1A, “RISK FACTORS” AND ITEM 7, “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K. SEE ALSO “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS” WITHIN SUCH ITEM 7 OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K.

 

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

 

General

 

Saker Aviation Services, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a Nevada corporation. Our common stock, $0.03 par value per share (the “common stock”), is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “SKAS”. Through our subsidiaries,subsidiary, we operate in the aviation services segment of the general aviation industry, in which we serve as the operator of a heliport, a fixed base operation (“FBO”), a provider of aircraft maintenance and repair services (“MRO”), and as a consultant for a seaplane base that we do not own. FBOs provide ground-based services, such as fueling and aircraft storage for general aviation, commercial and military aircraft, and other miscellaneous services.heliport.

 

We were formed on January 17, 2003 as a proprietorship and were incorporated in Arizona on January 2, 2004. We became a public company as a result of a reverse merger transaction on August 20, 2004 with Shadows Bend Development, Inc., an inactive public Nevada corporation, and subsequently changed our name to FBO Air, Inc. On December 12, 2006, we changed our name to FirstFlight, Inc. On September 2, 2009, we changed our name to Saker Aviation Services, Inc.

 

Our business activities are carried out as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan (New York) Heliport and until October 31, 2022 as an FBOa fixed base operator (“FBO’) and MROa provider of aircraft maintenance and repair services (“MRO”) at the Garden City (Kansas) Regional Airport.

The Garden City facility became part of our company FBOs provide ground-based services, such as a result of our acquisition of the FBO assets of Central Plains Aviation, Inc. in March 2005fueling and of Aircraft Services, Inc. (“Aircraft Services”) in October 2016.aircraft storage for general aviation, commercial and military aircraft, and other miscellaneous services.

 

Our business activities at the Downtown Manhattan (New York) Heliport facility (the “Heliport”“Downtown Manhattan Heliport”) commenced in November 2008 when we were awarded the Concession Agreement by the City of New York to operate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, which we assigned to our subsidiary, FirstFlight Heliports, LLC d/b/a Saker Aviation Services (“FFH”).Services.

 

We believe the general aviation market has been historically cyclical, with revenue correlated to general U.S. economic conditions. Although not truly seasonal in nature, the spring and summer months tend to generate higher levels of revenue and our operations generally follow that trend. TheBeginning in April 2022, following declined tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributedsightseeing tour operators saw an increase in activity and a much higher demand for tours. There can be no assurance that this increased activity will continue as demand for sightseeing tours will depend on future developments in the tourist industry.

Concession Agreement for Downtown Manhattan Heliport

The Company was party to a declineConcession Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2008, with the City of New York for the operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (the “Concession Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Concession Agreement, the Company was required to pay the greater of 18% of the first $5,000,000 in travelany program year based on cash collected (“Gross Receipts”) and tourism related businesses25% of Gross Receipts in excess of $5,000,000, or minimum annual guaranteed payments.

On February 5, 2016, the Company and general economic conditionsthe New York City Economic Development Corporation (the “NYCEDC”) announced new measures to reduce helicopter noise and impacts across New York City (the “Air Tour Agreement”). Under the Air Tour Agreement, the Company has not been allowed to permit its tenant operators to conduct tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sundays since April 1, 2016. The Company was also required to ensure that its tenant operators reduce the total allowable number of tourist flights from 2015 levels by 20 percent beginning June 1, 2016, by 40 percent beginning October 1, 2016 and by 50 percent beginning January 1, 2017. The Air Tour Agreement also provided for the minimum annual guarantee payments the Company is required to pay to the City of New York under the Concession Agreement.

Additionally, since June 1, 2016, we have been required to provide monthly written reports to the NYCEDC and the New York City Council detailing the number of tourist flights conducted out of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport compared to 2015 levels, as well as information on any tour flight that flies over land and/or strays from agreed upon routes. The Air Tour Agreement also extended the Concession Agreement for 30 months and gave the City of New York two one-year options to extend the term of the Concession Agreement. The term of the Concession Agreement was subsequently extended by the City of New York through April 30, 2023 by the city’s exercise of both its two one-year option renewals.

4

During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, the City of New York agreed, in recognition of the United Statespandemic’s impact, that the Company could defer payment of minimum guaranteed payments. In April 2021, the City of New York waived the deferred fees through December 31, 2020. In May 2021, the City of New York waived the deferred fees through April 30, 2021 which coincided with the original expiration of the Concession Agreement as amended by the Air Tour Agreement. The Company worked with the City of New York to address fees to be paid by the Company for the period May 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. In March 2022, the City of New York agreed to accept 18% of monthly Gross Receipts in excess of $100,000 as Concession fees for this period. In April 2022, the Company agreed to resume paying the City of New York the total monthly amounts due under the Concession Agreement retro-active to January 2022 and significantly disrupted our business and operations into continue paying fees due under the yearConcession Agreement through the remainder of the Air Tour Agreement. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, as well as disrupted business operations2023 and 2022, we incurred approximately $682,000 and $1,509,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the United Statescost of revenue.

On February 15, 2023, NYCEDC reported that it would be bringing a new concession agreement with the Company as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to the New York City Franchise and globally. ToConcession Review Committee meeting on March 3, 2023. The item was subsequently removed from the extent local, regionalagenda, with NYCEDC announcing on April 7, 2023 that the previous Request for Proposals ("RFP") had been cancelled and that it is their intention to put out a new RFP in 2023. 

On April 28, 2023, the Company entered into a Temporary Use Authorization Agreement (the “Use Agreement”), effective as of May 1, 2023, with the City of New York acting by and through the New York City of Department of Small Business Services (“DSBS”). The Use Agreement has a term of one year. Pursuant to the terms of the Use Agreement, the Company has been granted the exclusive right to operate as the fixed base operator for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and collect all revenue derived from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport operations. In addition to terminations for an event of default, the Use Agreement could be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or suspended at any time by the NYCEDC. The Company was required under the Use Agreement to remit a monthly administrative fee to the NYCEDC in the amount of $5,000. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $40,000 in administrative fees which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

On July 13, 2023, the DSBS was granted approval by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee to enter into an Interim Concession Agreement (the “Interim Agreement”) with the Company to provide for the continued operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Interim Agreement became effective upon registration with the Comptroller of the City of New York and commenced on December 12, 2023. The Interim Agreement provides for one (1) six-month term (the “Initial Period”), with two (2) six-month options to renew (the “Renewal Periods”). The Company is required to pay the greater of $1,036,811 or 30% of Gross Receipts during the Initial Term and the federal government impose restrictions on air travel and/greater of $518,406 or air tourism30% of Gross Receipts during both Renewal Periods. In addition to terminations for an event of default, the Interim Agreement can be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or consumers cease traveling,suspended at any time by the NYCEDC.

On November 13, 2023, the DBS and NYCEDC released the new RFP. The initial due date for submissions was January 12, 2024, with the due date being subsequently extended to February 12. 2024. The Company submitted a timely proposal in compliance with the terms of the RFP. The Interim Agreement will govern the Company’s operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport until the RFP process is concluded and an operator selected unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms.

Lease for Garden City (Kansas) Regional Airport

On October 3, 2022, FBO Air-Garden City, Inc., (“GCK”), one of our resultswholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a FBO Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Crosby Flying Services, LLC (the “Buyer”) pursuant to which GCK agreed (i) to sell to the Buyer substantially all of its assets (the “Assets”) and none of its liabilities, and (ii) to a seven year non-competition covenant (the “Non-Compete”) whereby the Company, including our subsidiaries and affiliates, will not engage in any business involving the operation of a fixed based operation supplying aviation fuels and lubricants or the supply of other goods or provision of services typically supplied or performed at fixed base operations will continueat airports at any facility located within one hundred (100) miles of the Garden City Regional Airport in Garden City, Kansas for $1.6 million.

On October 31, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the transaction contemplated by the Transfer Agreement Company closed and we became subject to be negatively impacted. We cannot predict with certainty the full impact thatNon-Compete, for an aggregate purchase price of, after certain closing adjustments, approximately $1.5 million. The Buyer paid the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business operations, financial condition and results of operations, which will largely dependpurchase price on the length and severityClosing Date less $160,000, which was subsequently paid on the first anniversary of the ongoing pandemic and any recovery will depend on consumer willingnessClosing Date. Both GCK leases, which allowed us to traveloperate at the Garden City Regional Airport, were terminated by air. Please see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” below.Garden City as of the October 31, 2022 closing date.

5

 

Suppliers and Raw Materials

 

Our principal materials are aviation fuel and aircraft parts. We obtain aviation fuel, component parts and other supplies from a variety of sources, generally from more than one supplier. Our suppliers and sources are both domestic and foreign, and we believe that our sources of supplies and materials are adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future. We do not believe the loss of any one supplier would have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations. We generally purchase our supplies on the open market, where certain commodities have fluctuated in price significantly in recent years. We have not experienced any significant shortage of our key supplies.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

The main goal of our marketing and sales efforts is to increase traffic at our facilities,the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, which we believe would then drive revenue through the incremental sale of our products and services. Our primary marketing tactic in this regard is to focus advertising efforts in the environments (web, periodical and industry publications) where the pilot and aviation-user community might be introduced to our brand name and locations.location. We intend to continue to invest in improvements to our sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth.

 

1

Government Approvals

 

The aviation services that we provide are generally performed on municipal or other government owned real estate properties. Accordingly, at times we will need to obtain certain consents or approvals from governmental entities in conjunction with our operations. These consents and approvals are typically in the form of a lease agreement, as is the case at our Kansas facility, or a concession agreement, as is the case with our New York facility. There can be no assurance that we will obtain further consents or approvals on favorable terms or be able to renew existing consents or approvals on favorable terms, if at all.

 

Government Regulation

 

We are subject to a variety of governmental laws and regulations that apply to companies in the aviation industry. These include, among other matters, compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) rules and regulations, and local, regional and national rules and regulations as they relate to environmental matters. The FAA, from time to time, issues directives and other regulations relating to the management, maintenance and operation of facilities. Additionally, we may be subject to government procurement regulations as they relate to obtaining new agreements or renewing or extending existing agreements with governmental entities. Compliance with those requirements may cause us to incur significant expenditures. The proposal and enactment of additional laws and regulations, as well as any charges that we have not complied with any such laws and regulations, could significantly increase the cost of our operations and reduce overall revenue. We believe we are in compliance with, and intend to continue to comply with, all applicable government regulations.regulations but cannot provide assurance that compliance with existing laws and regulations or that laws or regulations enacted in the future will not adversely affect our business and results of operations. The adoption of new regulations could result in increased costs and have an adverse impact on our results of operations, including, for example, regulations that restricted air travel such as reduced seating capacity or possible temporary orders to cease operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.public health crises.

 

Customers

 

In 2019,Beginning in April 2022, the Company’s accounts receivable was comprisedcustomers began operating at pre-pandemic levels which continued through the end of four key customers2022. In June 2022, a new tenant began operating at our New YorkDowntown Manhattan Heliport. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two of these key customers were unable to sustain their business and ceased operating in 2020. Their receivable balances at December 31, 2020, totaling approximately $208,000, have been deemed uncollectable by the Company. The loss of these two key customers has adversely affected our business and results of operations. The Company’s other two key customers continue to operate, but at substantially reduced levels of operation. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, these remaining two key2022, three customers represented approximately $137,000,$184,000, or 52.4%75%, of the balance of accounts receivable.In addition, these three customers represented approximately 83 % of our revenue in 2022. The Company has a security deposit in place in connection with bothfor each of these receivables.customers.

In September 2023, one of the Company’s former customers resumed operations.For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s four customers represented approximately $248,000, or 84.1%, of the balance of accounts receivable.In addition, these four customers represented approximately 84.8% of our revenue in 2023. The Company has a security deposit in place for each of these customers.

6

 

Competition

 

The FBO segment ofOur New York location is the aviation services industry is competitive in both pricing and service because aircraft in transit are ableonly heliport authorized by New York to choose from a number of FBO options within a 300-mile radius. The vast majority of FBO operators are independent, single location operators. We are the sole FBO at our facility in Garden City, KS. As such,perform sightseeing tours. Therefore, we face no direct on-airport competition. However,competition in servicing this line of business. There are two other New York heliports who offer fuel and corporate charter services that we face competitive pressure on pricing and servicesdirect competition from FBO facilities at other airports, depending on aircraft travel flexibility.

We plan to grow our business through both internal development of existing resources and facilities and through the potential acquisition of other related business. We anticipate that growing our business will provide us with greater buying power from suppliers and, therefore, result in lower costs. Lower costs would allow us to implement a more aggressive pricing policy against some competitors. We believe that the higher level of customer service offered in our facilities will allow us to draw additional aircraft traffic and thus compete successfully against other FBOs of all sizes. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the highly competitive aviation industry.providing these services.

 

Costs and Effects of Complying With Environmental Laws

 

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those that govern health and safety requirements, the discharge of pollutants into the air or water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and the responsibility to investigate and clean up contaminated sites that are or were owned, leased, operated or used by us or our predecessors. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain permits, which contain terms and conditions that impose limitations on our ability to emit and discharge hazardous materials into the environment and may be periodically subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and the failure to have or to comply with the terms and conditions of required permits. We intend to comply with these laws and regulations. However, from time to time, our operations may not be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of our permits or licenses. We periodically review our procedures and policies for compliance with environmental laws and requirements. We believe that our operations are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and requirements and that any potential non-compliance would not be expected to result in us incurring material liability or cost to achieve compliance. Although the cost of achieving and maintaining compliance with environmental laws and requirements has not been material, we can provide no assurance that such cost will not become material in the future.

 

2

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2020,2023, we employed 22eleven persons, 18nine of which were employed on a full-time basis and onebasis. None of which wasthese employees were an executive officer. All of our personnel are employed in connection with our operations in New York and Kansas.York.

 

Available Information

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Therefore, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We maintain a website at www.sakeraviation.com where we make available, free of charge, documents that we file with, or furnish to, the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, registration statements and any amendments to those reports. Our SEC reports can be found under the “SEC Filings” heading in the “Investor Relations” tab on our website. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

Risks related to our business and operations:

We will need additional financing to expand our business.

Certain potential aviation services firms which we may seek to acquire in the future may accept shares of our common stock or other securities as payment by us for the acquisition. However, we believe that most will likely prefer cash payments, whether paid at the closing or in post-closing installment payments. There can be no assurance that our operations will generate sufficient cash flow to meet these acquisition obligations. Accordingly, we anticipate the need to seek additional equity or debt financing to meet any cash requirements for acquisitions. Any such financing will be dependent on general market conditions and the stock market’s evaluation of our performance and potential. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that we will obtain such equity or debt financing and, even if we do, that the terms would be satisfactory to us.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and is expected to continue to have, a material adverse impact on the Company's business, operatingresults and financial condition, and has resulted in lower demand and reduced activity at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel demand, travel behavior, or travel restrictions has had, and is expected to continue to have, a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. The pandemic has resulted in, at times, increased government restrictions and regulation, including certain interstate and other travel restrictions and quarantines of our personnel, and future regulations may make accessing our facilities overly burdensome or impossible, which would adversely affect our operations.

Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the global and United States economies. Federal, state, and local governments implemented certain travel restrictions, “stay-at-home” orders, and social distancing initiatives which negatively impacted our operations and those of our customers. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 17, 2020 all sightseeing tour operations the Downtown Manhattan Heliport ceased. On July 20, 2020, New York City started Phase 4 of the city’s reopening. Sightseeing tour operators at the heliport restarted operations under this phase. For the period July 20, 2020 through the date of this report, sightseeing tour operators have experienced low demand and minimal activity. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a less substantial impact on our operations at our Kansas FBO and MRO. Although the Downtown Manhattan Heliport has been able to reopen and our Kansas FBO and MRO is operating, there can be no assurance that these facilities will be able to remain open for the foreseeable future, depending on future developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3

Additionally, the general economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly depressed the market value of certain types of aircraft, which led us to record a $270,000 impairment charge relating to a Falcon 10 aircraft we previously recorded as an asset held for sale.

To-date, we have experienced a significant decrease in revenue during all four fiscal quarters of 2020 compared to prior year periods and expect this trend to continue throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel advisories and restrictions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall demand for air travel, which we expect to remain low for the duration of the pandemic.

We expect our business, results of operations and financial condition to continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly and adversely affected our business, operations and financial results, and we expect these adverse effects to continue for the duration of the pandemic, and the full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict. We expect our results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 to be adversely affected. Factors that will determine the full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our business include, but are not limited to:

the duration and scope of the pandemic;

the length of time our customer’s sightseeing tour operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport experience diminished demand;

federal, state, and local governmental actions taken in response to the pandemic and the impact of those actions on global economic activity;

the social distancing initiatives undertaken by businesses and individuals and the possibility of another wave of business and travel restrictions implemented in New York City in response to any resurgence of the pandemic;

the actions taken in response to economic disruption, including any federal or state-level economic responses restricting or related to operations within the air tourism industry;

the impact of business disruptions and reductions in employment levels in the United States;

consumer willingness to travel by air in the future;

our customers’ continuing viability as businesses; and

the possibility that all of our facilities will be required to close.

 

We could be adversely affected by increases in the price, or decreases in the availability, of jet fuel.

 

Our operations could be significantly affected by the availability and price of jet fuel. The price and supply of jet fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events we cannot control, such as geopolitical developments, including but not limited to heightened uncertainties and impacts resulting from Russian military actions in Ukraine and associated response, supply and demand for crude oil, actions by oil and jet fuel producers, actions by jet fuel refiners, conflict, unrest or economic instability in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and weather conditions. A significant increase in the price of jet fuel would most likely have a material impact on our ability to achieve and maintain profitability unless we are able to pass on such costs to our customers. Due to the competitive nature of the industry, our ability to pass on increased fuel prices by increasing our rates is uncertain. Likewise, any potential benefit of lower fuel prices may be offset by increased competition and lower revenue, in general. While we do not currently anticipate a significant reduction in fuel availability, dependency on foreign imports of crude oil and the possibility of changes in government policy on jet fuel production, transportation and marketing make it impossible to predict the future availability of jet fuel. If there are new outbreaks of hostility or other conflicts in oil producing areas or elsewhere, there could be a reduction in the availability of jet fuel or significant increases in costs to our business, as well as to the entire aviation industry, which in turn would adversely affect our business and results of operations. While we do not currently anticipate a significant reduction in fuel availability, dependency on foreign imports of crude oil and the impacts resulting from Russian military actions in Ukraine and possibility of changes in government policy on jet fuel production, transportation and marketing make it impossible to predict the future availability of jet fuel. As a result, any increases in these prices or decrease in the availability of fuel may adversely affect our profitability and competitiveness.

 

47

 

WeIf we are susceptiblenot awarded the contract to counterparty risk inoperate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport through the new RFP, our agreements with our customers and have beenoperations will be materially adversely affected by the loss of certain key customers and the inability of such key customers to pay amounts due to us.affected.

 

DueWe currently operate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic, twoInterim Concession Agreement. The NYCEDC initiated a new RFP to govern the use of the Company’s key customers atDowntown Manhattan Heliport. There is no guarantee that the proposal we submitted for the new RFP will be selected and that we will be awarded the contract to operate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. If our Ney York Heliport were unableproposal to sustain theirthe new RFP is not chosen, our business and ceased operating in 2020. Their receivable balances at December 31, 2020, totaling approximately $208,000, have been deemed uncollectable by the Company. The loss of these two key customers haswill be materially adversely affected as we would be required to cease all our operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and we would have no business and results of operation. The Company’s other two key customers at our New York Heliport continueoperations to operate, but at substantially reduced levels of operation. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, these two accounts represented approximately $137,000, or 52.4%, of the balance of accounts receivable at December 31, 2020. The Company has a security deposit in place for both of these receivables. If our remaining key customers experience further reduced operations, they may also cease operating which would materially and adversely impact our business and results of operations.generate revenue.

 

We could be adversely affected by the loss of or failure to extend our material agreements including ourInterim Concession Agreement with the City of New York and our lease of the Garden City, Kansas facilities.York.

 

A substantial portion of our business depends on our existing material agreements including ourOn July 13, 2023, the DSBS was granted approval by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee to enter into an Interim Concession Agreement (the “Interim Agreement”) with the Company to provide for the continued operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Interim Agreement became effective upon registration with the Comptroller of the City of New York and our leasecommenced on December 12, 2023, the date set forth in a written notice received by the Company to proceed. The Interim Agreement provides for one (1) six-month term (the “Initial Period”), with two (2) six-month options to renew (the “Renewal Periods”). The Company is required to pay the greater of facilities in Garden City, Kansas. If we were$1,036,811 or 30% of Gross Receipts during the Initial Term and the greater of $518,406 or 30% of Gross Receipts during both Renewal Periods. In addition to lose these agreements,terminations for an event of default, the Interim Agreement can be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or if these agreements expired without renewal or extension, we may be unable to operate our business in our current geographic markets. Should we lose or fail to extend these agreements, there is no guarantee that we could enter into new agreements with similar terms or into new agreementssuspended at all. If we were to enter into material agreements with less favorable terms or if we were unable to enter into new agreements, our business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.any time by the NYCEDC.

 

Our agreement (the Air Tour Agreement)On November 13, 2023, the DBS and NYCEDC released the new RFP. The initial due date for submissions was January 12, 2024, with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (the NYCEDC) may continuedue date being subsequently extended to negatively impact our business and financial results as well as thoseFebruary 12. 2024. The Company submitted a timely proposal in compliance with the terms of our management company.

Under the Air TourRFP. The Interim Agreement we cannot allow our tenant operators to conduct tourist flights fromwill govern the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sundays. We were also required to ensure that our tenant operators reduced the total allowable number of tourist flights from 2015 levels by 20 percent beginning June 1, 2016, by 40 percent beginning October 1, 2016 and by 50 percent beginning January 1, 2017. Additionally, since June 1, 2016, we have been required to provide monthly written reports to the NYCEDC and the New York City Council detailing the number of tourist flights conducted outCompany’s operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport compareduntil the RFP process is concluded and an operator selected unless terminated earlier pursuant to 2015 levels, as well as informationits terms.

All of our business is conducted and reliant on any tour flight that flies over landthe Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Any disruption in business at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport or strays from agreed upon routes. These provisionsadditional restrictions imposed on the operations of the Air Tour Agreement have, and may continue to, have an adverse effect onDowntown Manhattan Heliport by the NYCEDC could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

The FBO segment of the aviation services industry in which we operate is fiercely competitive.

We compete with national, regional, and local FBO operators. Many of our competitors have been in business longer than we have and have greater financial resources available to them. Having greater financial resources will make it easier for these competitors to absorb an increase in fuel prices and other expenses. In addition, these competitors might seek acquisitions in regions and markets competitive to us, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that weAdditionally, our business depends on us remaining as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. If the Interim Agreement expires, or is terminated early pursuant to its terms, without us having a further agreement in place for our continued operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, our business will be ableadversely affected as we would be required to successfully compete incease our industry.operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

 

Our business as an FBO is subject to extensive governmental regulation.

 

FBOsWe are subject to extensive regulatory requirements that could result in significant costs. For example, the FAA, from time to time, issues directives and other regulations relating to the management, maintenance and operation of facilities, including the potential of emergency regulations, such as those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.public health crises including pandemics and epidemics. Additionally, we may be subject to government procurement regulations as they relate to obtaining new agreements or renewing or extending existing agreements with governmental entities. Compliance with those requirements may cause us to incur significant expenditures. The proposal and enactment of additional laws and regulations, as well as any charges that we have not complied with any such laws and regulations, could significantly increase the cost of our operations and reduce overall revenue. We cannot provide assurance that compliance with existing laws and regulations or that laws or regulations enacted in the future will not adversely affect our business and results of operations. If any emergency regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused us to temporarily cease operations, our results of operations and financial condition would be adversely impacted.

5

 

We must maintain and add key management and other personnel.

 

Our future success is heavily dependent on the performance of our managers. Our growth and future success depends, in large part, on the continued contributions of management and our ability to retain management. Our success depends to a significant extent upon the continued service of Ron Ricciardi, our President and Chief Executive Officer. On September 1, 2019, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ricciardi. The initial term runs from September 1, 2019 through September 1, 2023 and does not provide for automatic renewal. Loss of the services of Mr. Ricciardi could significantly harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company maintains key-person insurance on the life of Mr. Ricciardi. Beginning on December 24, 2020 and continuing through the date of this report, Mr. Ricciardi remains on a temporary leave of absence to address health issues unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. As previously disclosed, effective March 26, 2021, Samuel Goldstein, one of our directors, has been appointed to serve as our acting principal executive officer.management.

8

 

Our growth and future success also depends on other key individuals, as well as our ability to motivate and retain these personnel or hire other persons. Although we believe we will be able to retain and hire qualified personnel, we can give no assurance that we will be successful in retaining and recruiting such personnel in sufficient numbers to increase revenue, maintain profitability or successfully implement our growth strategy. If we lose the services of management or any of our key personnel, or are not able to retain or hire qualified personnel, our business could be adversely affected.

 

If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs would increase and our business could be adversely affected.

 

None of our employees are currently represented under a collective bargaining agreement. From time to time, there may be efforts to organize our employees. There is no assurance that our employees will not unionize in the future, particularly if legislation is passed that facilitates unionization. The unionization of our employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations due to the possibility of work stoppage, wage increases, or other developments that may result from the unionization of our employees.

 

Changes in minimum wage laws outside of our control could affect our profitability.

 

We have employees who are paid wage rates based on the applicable federal or state minimum wage and increases in the minimum wage may increase our labor costs and reduce profitability. Federal, state, or local minimum wages may be raised in the future and we may be unable or unwilling to increase our prices in order to pass these increased labor costs on to our customers, in which case, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

We are subject to environmental laws that could impose significant costs on us and the failure to comply with such laws could subject us to sanctions and material fines and expenses.

 

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air or water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and the responsibility to investigate and clean-up contaminated sites that are or were owned, leased, operated or used by us or our predecessors. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain permits, which contain terms and conditions that impose limitations on our ability to emit and discharge hazardous materials into the environment and may be periodically subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, the failure to have required permits or the failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits. We intend to comply with all laws and regulations, however, from time to time, our operations may not be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of our permits. We periodically review our procedures and policies for compliance with environmental laws and requirements. We believe that our operations are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws, requirements and permits and any lapses in compliance are not expected to result in us incurring material liability or cost to achieve compliance. However, there can be no assurance that our operations will remain in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and requirements. Historically, the costs of achieving and maintaining compliance with environmental laws, requirements and permits have not been material; however, the operation of our business entails risks in these areas and a failure by us to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations or permits could result in civil or criminal fines, penalties, enforcement actions, third party claims for property damage and personal injury, requirements to clean up property or to pay for the costs of cleanup and/or regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures. Moreover, if applicable environmental laws and regulations, or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, become more stringent in the future, we could incur capital or operating costs beyond those currently anticipated and our business and results of operations could be harmed.

 

We are currently involved in arbitration with Empire Aviation, LLC regarding claims of unpaid fees to Empire under our prior Management Agreement, the arbitration could be time-consuming and expensive and may not have a favorable outcome.

Empire Aviation, LLC and the Company were parties to a certain Management Agreement effective November 1, 2008. The Management Agreement terminated on April 30, 2023. Empire Aviation notified the Company that it believes additional fees (“Management Fees”) are due under the Management Agreement.

On March 14, 2024, the Company and Empire participated in an arbitration of this dispute. In their filing, Empire claims that Saker failed to pay Empire certain Management Fees in various months throughout the term of the Management Agreement, aggregating approximately $1,050,000 plus $250,000 of accrued interest. Saker has asserted numerous defenses and counterclaims against Empire.

69

The arbitration will require additional time and effort from management and additional expenses and may not result in a favorable outcome. Such expenses and results could adversely affect our business.

Bank failures or other events affecting financial institutions could adversely affect our liquidity and financial performance.

We currently maintain a portion of our excess working capital reserves in a high yield savings account at UBS Financial Services Inc. (“UBS”), which we believe is a high-quality institution. The cash balance we have on account with UBS currently, and may from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. If UBS were to fail, we could lose all or a portion of the amounts held more than such insurance limitations. In addition, events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse conditions in the financial or credit risk markets impacting financial institutions at which we maintain balances, or concerns or rumors about such events, may lead to disruptions in access to our bank deposits or otherwise adversely impact our liquidity or financial performance. There can be no assurance that our deposits in excess of the FDIC or other comparable insurance limits will be backstopped by the U.S. or that UBS or any bank or financial institution with which we do business will be able to obtain needed liquidity from other banks, government institutions, or by acquisition in the event of a failure or liquidity crisis.

 

Risks related to our securities:

 

There is no active market for our common stock, which makes our common stock less liquid.

 

To date, trading of our common stock has been sporadic and nominal in volume. In addition, there are only a limited number of broker-dealers trading our common stock. As a result, there is little, if any, liquidity in our common stock. We can provide no assurance that an active trading market will ever develop.

 

Our common stock is subject to the penny stock rules, which makes our common stock less liquid.

 

The SEC has adopted a set of rules called the “penny stock rules” that regulate broker-dealers with respect to trading in securities with a bid price of less than $5.00. These rules do not apply to securities registered on certain national securities exchanges (including the Nasdaq Stock Market), provided that current price and volume information regarding transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange. Our stock is not listed on such an exchange and we have no expectation that our common stock will be listed on such an exchange in the future. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. Additionally, the broker-dealer must provide the customer with other information. The penny stock rules also require that, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, the broker-dealer must determine in writing that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser. The broker-dealer must also receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock such as ours that is subject to the penny stock rules.

 

Our common stock may not continue to be traded on the OTCQB.

 

We cannot provide any assurance that our common stock will continue to be eligible to be quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (“OTCQB”). Should our common stock cease to be quoted on the OTCQB and fail to qualify for listing on a stock exchange (including the Nasdaq Stock Market), our common stock would only trade in the “pink sheets” which generally provides an even less liquid market than the OTCQB. In such event, stockholders may find it more difficult to trade their shares of our common stock or to obtain accurate and current information concerning market prices for our common stock.

 

Our management team currently has the ability to influence stockholder votes.

 

As of MarchDecember 31, 2021,2023, our executive officers, directors and their family members and associates, collectively, are entitled to vote approximately 402,793294,433 shares, or 30.2%29.9% of the 1,028,863985,888 shares of our outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, and because there is no cumulative voting for directors, our executive officers and directors are currently in a position to influence the election of all of our Board of Directors. The management of our company is controlled by our Board of Directors, which is currently comprised of three independent directors a director who is a managing partner of a law firm which provides legal services to us, and one executive officer/director.

10

 

General risk factors:

 

Potential additional financings, the granting of additional stock options and any anti-dilution provisions in potential future derivative securities could further dilute our existing stockholders.

 

As of MarchDecember 31, 2021,2023, there were 1,028,863985,888 shares of our common stock outstanding. If all of our outstanding and currently exercisable options were exercised, there would be 1,082,1911,053,382 shares outstanding, an increase of approximately 5.2%6.8%. Any further issuances due to additional equity financings, or the granting of additional options could further dilute our existing stockholders, which could cause the value of our common stock to decline.

7

 

Our Board of Directors right to issue shares of preferred stock could adversely impact the rights of holders of our common stock.

 

Our Board of Directors currently has the right to authorize the issuance of up to 333,306 shares of one or more series of our preferred stock with such voting, dividend and other rights as our directors determine. Such action can be taken by our Board of Directors without the approval of our shareholders. Accordingly, the holders of any new series of preferred stock could be granted voting rights that reduce the voting power of the holders of our common stock. For example, the preferred holders could be granted the right to vote on a merger as a separate class even if the merger would not have an adverse effect on their rights. This right, if granted, would give such preferred holders a veto with respect to any merger proposal. Alternatively, such preferred holders could be granted a large number of votes per share while voting as a single class with the holders of our common stock, thereby diluting the voting power of the holders of our common stock. In addition, the holders of any new series of preferred stock could be given the option to redeem their shares for cash in the event of a merger. This would make acquiring us less attractive to a potential buyer. Thus, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of the new series of preferred stock in order to defeat a proposal for the acquisition of our company that a majority of the holders of our common stock otherwise favor.

 

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 1C.

Cybersecurity

Risk Management and Strategy

Cyber Security Governance

Oversight of cybersecurity infrastructure is managed by members of our management team, including our President & Chief Executive Officer. Management works in tandem with a third-party service provider (the “Service Provider”). The Service Provider periodically reviews and updates our antivirus and antimalware software, manages our Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery system, reviews our vulnerability management and ensures our system is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant. Given our overall risk profile, the Board has had limited involvement with our cybersecurity risk management. The management team, with support from the Service Provider, would raise any significant cybersecurity risks with the Board.

Risk Management and Strategy

We believe we have implemented processes that are designed to effectively identify and manage risks from cybersecurity threats. Through our Service Provider, we receive Endpoint Detection and Response services (“EDR”). The EDR helps to ensure faster identification of a cybersecurity breach. Once a cyber incident is identified, our Service Provider will notify management and work to secure our systems and fix the vulnerability. An investigation will be conducted, with the assistance of the Service Provider if needed, to determine the root cause of the cyber incident, the materiality of the cyber incident, and any disclosure or legal obligations that will stem from the cyber incident.

We have not been the victim of a cyber incident in the past but may be the subject of cyber incidents in the future.

11

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

 

As of March 31, 2021, we lease officeApril 1, 2024, the Company operates the Downtown Manhattan Heliport pursuant to the Interim Concession Agreement and had no leased offices or hangar space at the following locations:space.

 

Location

Purpose

Space

Annual Rental

Expiration

     

2117 S. Air Service Road

Garden City, Kansas

 

Kansas

FBO location

 

17,640

square feet

$

26,244

 

December 31, 2030

         

2145 S. Air Service Road

Garden City, Kansas

 

Kansas

MRO location

 

3,782

square feet

$

6,780

 

December 31, 2030

         

We believe that our space is adequate and suitable for our immediate needs. Additional hangar space may be required for our operations in the future. No definitive plans to lease any additional space have been developed at the time of this report. Should additional hangar space be required, there can be no assurance that such space will be available or available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From timeEmpire Aviation, LLC (“Empire”) and the Company were parties to time, we may be a party to one or more claims or disputes which may resultcertain Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) effective November 1, 2008. The Management Agreement terminated on April 30, 2023. As previously disclosed in litigation. However, wethe Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Note 15. Contingent Liabilities, Empire Aviation notified the Company that it believes additional fees (“Management Fees”) are currently not a party to, nor is our property subject to, any material pending legal proceedings.due under the Management Agreement.

 

On March 14, 2024, the Company and Empire participated in an arbitration of this dispute. In their filing, Empire claims that Saker failed to pay Empire certain Management Fees in various months throughout the term of the Management Agreement, aggregating approximately $1,050,000 plus $250,000 in accrued interest. Of this amount, approximately $350,000 has been accrued by the Company in 2023 and is included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in selling general administrative expenses and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in accounts payable. Saker has asserted numerous defenses including, but not limited to, Empire waiving its rights to such fees by the parties’ course of conduct. Further, Saker asserted counterclaims against Empire. The Company and Empire will each submit proposed findings to the arbitrator in the next 30 days. We anticipate that the arbitrator will issue his rulings within 30 days of these submissions. Although we believe that Saker has valid defenses and a good chance to prevail on the merits against Empire’s claims, we can give no assurance as to the same.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

8

PART II

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “SKAS”. The OTCQB is a regulated quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last-sale prices and volume information in over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities. Our common stock is only traded on a limited or sporadic basis and should not be deemed to constitute an established public trading market. OTC quotations reflect intra-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

 

12

The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices for the common stock as reported on the OTCQB each full quarterly period within for the past two most recent fiscal years.

 

  

Common Stock

 

Quarterly Period Ended

 

High

  

Low

 
         

March 31, 2019

 $4.50  $2.31 
         

June 30, 2019

 $4.10  $2.61 
         

September 30, 2019

 $4.55  $2.85 
         

December 31, 2019

 $7.00  $4.67 
         

March 31, 2020

 $6.15  $2.85 
         

June 30, 2020

 $3.65  $3.05 
         

September 30, 2020

 $3.80  $2.00 
         

December 31, 2020

 $2.88  $1.60 
  

Common Stock

 

Quarterly Period Ended

 

High

  

Low

 
         

March 31, 2022

 $4.20  $2.50 
         

June 30, 2022

 $4.91  $4.10 
         

September 30, 2022

 $4.78  $3.51 
         

December 31, 2022

 $5.75  $4.10 
         

March 31, 2023

 $6.15  $5.15 
         

June 30, 2023

 $6.35  $4.40 
         

September 30, 2023

 $5.89  $4.35 
         

December 31, 2023

 $8.00  $5.60 

 

Holders

 

As of March 31, 2021,April 1, 2024, there were approximately 162475 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include beneficial owners of the common stock whose shares are held in the names of various broker-dealers, clearing agencies, banks and other fiduciaries.

 

Dividends

 

On September 30, 2019,In the past, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a specialhas paid cash dividend of $0.50 per share (the “Dividend”). The Dividend was paid in equal quarterly installments of $0.125 per share beginningdividends on November 1, 2019, with the final dividend paidour common stock. Any future determination to pay dividends on August 13, 2020. The declaration and payment of any future dividendour common stock will be at the sole discretion of theour Board of Directors.

Directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, future prospects, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA[RESERVED]

 

Not applicable.

9

 

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods. These statements may include projections of revenue, provisions for doubtful accounts, income or loss, capital expenditures, repayment of debt, other financial items, statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations, acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions, statements of future economic performance, statements of the assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing statements and statements other than statements of historical fact.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncer‐tainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We therefore caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements because they are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include our services and pricing, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, general economic conditions, our ability to raise additional capital, our ability to obtain the various approvals and permits for the acquisition and operation of FBOs and the other risk factors contained in Item 1A of this report.

13

 

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

Overview

 

Saker Aviation Services, Inc. is a Nevada corporation. Our common stock, $0.03 par value per share (the “common stock”), is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (“OTCQB”) under the symbol “SKAS”. Through our subsidiaries,subsidiary, we operate in the aviation services segment of the general aviation industry in which we serve as the operator of a heliport, a fixed base operation (“FBO”), and as a provider of aircraft maintenance and repair services (“MRO”). FBOs provide ground-based services, such as fueling and aircraft storage for general aviation, commercial and military aircraft, and other miscellaneous services.heliport.

 

We were formed on January 17, 2003 as a proprietorship and were incorporated in Arizona on January 2, 2004. We became a public company as a result of a reverse merger transaction on August 20, 2004 with Shadows Bend Development, Inc., an inactive public Nevada corporation, and subsequently changed our name to FBO Air, Inc. On December 12, 2006, we changed our name to FirstFlight, Inc. On September 2, 2009, we changed our name to Saker Aviation Services, Inc.

 

Our business activities are carried out as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan (New York) Heliport and until October 31, 2022 as an FBO and MRO at the Garden City (Kansas) Regional Airport.

 

TheOn October 31, 2022, the Garden City facility became part of our company as a result of our acquisition offacilities were sold and we no longer maintain an FBO or MRO at the FBO assets of Central Plains Aviation, Inc. in March 2005 and of Aircraft Services, Inc. in October 2016.Garden City (Kansas) Regional Airport.

 

Our business activities at the Downtown Manhattan (New York) Heliport facility (the “Heliport”) commenced in November 2008 when we were awarded the Concession Agreement by the City of New York to operate the Heliport, which we assigned to our subsidiary, FirstFlight Heliports, LLC d/b/a Saker Aviation Services (“FFH”).

10

Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the global and United States economies. Federal, state, and local governments implemented certain travel restrictions, “stay-at-home” orders, and social distancing initiatives which negatively impacted our operations and those of our customers. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 17, 2020, all sightseeing tour operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport ceased due to a drop in demand. On July 20, 2020, New York City started Phase 4 of the city’s reopening. Sightseeing tour operators at the heliport restarted operations under this phase. For the period July 20, 2020 through the date of this report, sightseeing tour operators have experienced low demand and minimal activity. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a less substantial impact on our operations at our Kansas FBO and MRO.

We experienced a decrease in revenue during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to prior year periods. While we expect the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to adversely impact our business and operations, the full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel advisories and restrictions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall demand for air travel.

 

Our long-term strategy is to increase our sales through growth within our aviation services operations. To do so, we may expand our geographic reach and product offering through strategic acquisitions and improved market penetration within the markets we serve. We expect that any future acquisitions or product offerings would be to complement and/or augment our current aviation services operations.

 

If we are able to grow our business as planned, we anticipate that our larger size would provide us with greater buying power from suppliers, resulting in lower costs. We expect that lower costs would allow for a more aggressive pricing policy against some competition. More importantly, we believe that the higher level of customer service offered in our facilities will allow us to draw additional aircraft to our facilities and thus allow us to compete against other FBOs of varying sizes.

 

Summary Financial Information

 

The summary financial data set forth below is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, filed as part of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:

 

Year Ended

December 31,

2020

  

Year Ended

December 31,

2019

  

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

Year Ended

December 31,

2022

 

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)

             

Revenue

 $3,506  $11,568  $8,838  $7,599 

Operating (loss) income, before income tax expense

 $(2,180) $1,066 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 $(431) $399 

Net (Loss) Income

 $(1,749) $667 

Operating income

 $3,513  $732 

Other income, before income tax expense

 $441  $628 

Income from continuing operations, before income taxes

 $3,953  $1,361 

Income tax expense

 $(1,507) (300)

Discontinued operations income, net of income taxes

 $0  $186 

Net Income

 $2,446  $1,247 
         
         

Net (loss) income per share – basic

 $(1.71) $0.66 

Net (loss) income per share – diluted

 $(1.71) $0.65 

Net income per share – basic

 $2.50  $1.28 
 

Net income per share – diluted

 $2.47  $1.26 

Weighted average number of shares – basic

  1,024,907   1,008,979  976,782  976,048 

Weighted average number of shares – diluted

  1,024,907   1,021,865  989,686  987,149 

 

Balance Sheet Data: (in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

  

December 31,

2023

  

December 31,

2022

 

Working capital surplus

 $2,828  $3,928  $8,270  $5,740 

Total assets

 $4,995  $7,257  $10,611  $6,913 

Total liabilities

 $1,087  $1,681  $2,292  $1,130 

Stockholders’ equity

 $3,908  $5,576  $8,319  $5,783 

Total liabilities and Stockholders’ equity

 $4,995  $7,257  $10,611  $6,913 

 

1114

 

Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Results for the Years Ended December 31, 20202023 and December 31, 2019.2022.

 

REVENUE

Operating results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has depressed year-over-year activity at our Heliport and, consequently, the results reported below.

Revenue decreased by 69.7 percent to $3,506,628 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as compared with corresponding prior-year period revenue of $11,567,725.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, revenue associated with services and supply items decreased by 77.4 percent to approximately $1,500,000 as compared to approximately $6,600,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, revenue associated with the sale of jet fuel, aviation gasoline and related items decreased by 59.1 percent to approximately $1,950,000 as compared to approximately $4,800,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, all other revenue decreased by 68.3 percent to approximately $58,000 as compared to approximately $184,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. AND RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

GROSS PROFITDISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Total gross profit decreased 82.8 percent to $980,928 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $5,716,659 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Gross margin was 28.0 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 49.4 percent for the same period in 2019.

OPERATING EXPENSE

Selling, General and Administrative

Total selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $2,472,203 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $2,196,894, or 47.1 percent, as compared to the same period in 2019.

SG&A associated with our FBO operations were approximately $1,865,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of approximately $2,290,000, or 55.1 percent, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. SG&A associated with our FBO operations, as a percentage of revenue, was 53.2 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, as compared with 35.9 percent in the corresponding prior year period.

Corporate SG&A was approximately $608,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of approximately $93,000 as compared with the corresponding prior year period.

OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME

Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $(1,491,276) as compared to operating income of $1,047,562 in the year ended December 31, 2019.

12

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization was approximately $119,000 and $124,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Interest Income and Expense

Interest income was $18,109 and $27,069 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $24,025, as compared to $7,987 in the same period in 2019. The increase in interest expense is due primarily to interest expense associated with our right of use leases.

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangibles

We had $750,000 of goodwill at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

Income tax benefit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $(431,000), as compared to income tax expense of $399,000 in the same period in 2019. The income tax benefit is attributable to a net loss in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to net income in the same period in 2019.

Net (Loss) Income Per Share

Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $(1,748,928) as compared to net income of $667,644 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Basic net loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was ($1.71), as compared to basic and diluted net income per share of $0.66 and $0.65, respectively, in 2019.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2020, we had cash of $1,899,082 and a working capital surplus of $2,827,586. We generated revenue of $3,506,268 and had a net loss of $(1,748,928) for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash flows included net cash used in operating activities of $1,590,447, net cash used in investing activities of $4,913, and net cash used in financing activities of $103,049.

 

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2018 with the SecuritiesSEC on November 2, 2022, on October 31, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the Company sold its subsidiary FBO and Exchange CommissionMRO operations of FBO Air-Garden City, Inc. (“GCK”) to Crosby Flying Services, LLC (the “SEC”“Buyer”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1.6 million. The Buyer paid the purchase price on the Closing Date less $160,000 (the “Installment Payment”) which was paid in cash upon the first anniversary of the Closing Date. GCK results of operations have been reported as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Comparison of Continuing Operations from the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

REVENUE

Revenue from continuing operations increased by 16.3 percent to $8,837,614 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared with corresponding prior-year period revenue of $7,598,597.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, revenue from continuing operations associated with services and supply items increased by 11.9 percent to approximately $6,429,414 as compared to approximately $5,747,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was attributable to increased demand for services in 2023 compared to the prior year.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, revenue from continuing operations associated with the sale of jet fuel and related items increased by 45.3 percent to approximately $2,299,000 as compared to approximately $1,582,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. This increase was attributable to the higher volume of gallons and price of jet fuel sold at our New York location in 2023 compared to the prior year.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, all other revenue from continuing operations decreased by 59.6 percent to approximately $109,000 as compared to approximately $269,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

GROSS PROFIT

Total gross profit increased 36.2 percent to $6,281,220 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 as compared to $4,613,316 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. Gross margin was 71.1 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 60.7 percent for the same period in 2022. The increase in gross profit related to higher levels of activity at our New York location in 2023 as compared to the prior year. The increase in gross margin is related to the lower cost of jet fuel and lower costs associated with services and supplies in 2023 as compared to the prior year.

15

OPERATING EXPENSE

Selling, General and Administrative

Total selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $2,768,310 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $1,112,592, or 28.7 percent, as compared to the same period in 2022.

SG&A associated with operations were approximately $2,132,000 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $1,197,000, or 35.9 percent, as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. SG&A as a percentage of revenue, was 24.1 percent for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared with 43.8 percent in the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in SG&A was primarily attributable to decreased fees due under the Company’s management agreement and fees due the NYCEDC in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Corporate SG&A was approximately $636,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, representing an increase of approximately $84,000, or 15.2 percent, as compared with the corresponding prior year period. The increase in Corporate SG&A on a year-over-year basis was largely attributable to an increase in services provided by various service providers.

OPERATING INCOME

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $3,512,910 as compared to operating income of $732,414 in the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in operating income on a year-over-year basis was driven by the factors described above.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization was approximately $16,000 and $100,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in depreciation expense was attributable to the sale of our Kansas location on October 31, 2022.

Interest Income and Expense

Interest income was $220,098 and $3,302 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in interest income is attributable to the Company investing its excess working capital reserves in a high yield savings account and U.S government backed securities with UBS Financial Services Inc. (“UBS”).

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $0 as compared to $17,979 in the same period in 2022. Interest expense in 2022 is included in loss from discontinued operations. The decrease in interest expense on a year-over-year basis was due primarily to the repayment of notes payable in connection with the sale of our Kansas operation effective October 31, 2022.

Income Tax

Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $1,507,000, on as compared to $300,000 in the same period in 2022. The increase in income tax expense is attributable to higher net income in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 2022.

Net Income Per Share

Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $2,446,444 as compared to net income of $1,246,621 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net income was attributable to higher revenue combined with decreased fees due under the Company’s management agreement and fees due the NYCEDC in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Basic net income per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $2.50 as compared to basic net income per share of $1.28 in 2022. Diluted net income per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $2.47 as compared to diluted net income per share of $1.26 in 2022.

16

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $6,931,709 and a working capital surplus of $8,269,527. We generated revenue from continuing operations of $8,837,614 and had net income of $2,446,444 for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash flows included net income of $2,446,644, cash provided by operating activities of $3,344,387, and cash used in investing activities of $2,389,835.

On March 15, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Key Bank National Association (the “Bank”). The Loan Agreement contains three components: (i) a $2,500,000 acquisition line of credit (the “Key Bank Acquisition Note”); (ii)for a $1,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “Key Bank Revolver Note”); and (iii) a $338,481 term loan (the “Key Bank Term Note”). There are currently no amounts outstanding under the Key Bank Term Note.

Proceeds of the Key Bank Acquisition Note were to be disbursed pursuant to a multiple draw demand note dated as of the agreement date, where the Company could, which, at the discretion of the Bank, borrow up to an aggregate amount of $2,500,000, to be used for the Company’s acquisition of one or more business entities. Until the Change of Terms Agreement, as defined below, the Company was required to make consecutive monthly payments of interest, calculated at a rate per annum equal to one-day LIBOR (adjusted daily) plus 2.75%, on any outstanding principal under the Key Bank Acquisition Note from the date of its issuance through September 15, 2018 (the “Conversion Date”).

At any time through and including the Conversion Date, at the Bank’s discretion, the Company had the opportunity to request that any loan made under the Key Bank Acquisition Note be converted into a term loan to be repaid in full, including accrued interest, by consecutive monthly payments over a 48 month amortization period beginning after the Conversion Date. For any loan that was not converted into a term loan on or before the Conversion Date, the Company would have been required to begin making monthly payments of principal and interest after the Conversion Date, over a 48 month amortization period, after which the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest would have become due and payable. All loans under the Key Bank Acquisition Note would have, after the Conversion Date, accrued interest at a rate per annum equal to the Bank’s four year cost of funds rate plus 2.5%. As of the Conversion Date, there were no amounts due under the Key Bank Acquisition Note and no amounts had been converted to a term loan.

13

On October 11, 2018, and as subsequently amended, the Company entered into a new loan agreement with the Bank (as so amended, the “Change of Terms Agreement”) which modified the original terms of the Key Bank Acquisition Note. Under the Change of Terms Agreement, the Company may continue to, at the discretion of the Bank, borrow up to an aggregate amount of $2,500,000 through September 1, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), to be used for the Company’s acquisition of one or more business entities. The Change of Terms Agreement requires the Company to make consecutive monthly payments of interest on any outstanding principal calculated at a rate per annum equal to 4.25% and would be secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The entire principal balance, plus all accrued interest, is due in full on the Maturity Date. As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts due under the Change of Terms Agreement.

Proceeds from the Key Bank Revolver Note, at the discretion of the Bank, provideprovides for the Company to borrow up to $1,000,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes. On November 22, 2023, the Bank reduced the amount available under the Key Bank Revolver Note to $500,000. This revolving line of credit is a demand note with no stated maturity date. Borrowings under the Key Bank Revolver Note will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to one-day LIBOR (adjusted daily)Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.75%. The Company is required to make monthly payments of interest on any outstanding principal under the Key Bank Revolver Note and is required to pay the entire balance, including principal and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees, upon demand by the Bank. Any proceeds from the Key Bank Revolver Note would be secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of December 31, 2020, thereThere were no amounts due under the Key Bank Revolver Note.

On August 14, 2020, the Company was granted a loan from the Bank (“the Loan”) in the amount of $304,833, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under Division, Title I of the CARES Act, which was enacted March 27, 2020. The Loan, which was in the form of a Note dated August 14, 2020 (“the “Note”), matures in August 2025 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum and is payable in monthly installments commencing on, or before, October 31, 2021. The Note may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The Company did not provide any collateral or guarantees in connection with the PPP loan. Funds from the loan may only be used for payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and interest on other debt obligations incurred during the covered 24 week period. The loan qualifies for forgiveness provided the proceeds are used for eligible expenses on the covered period and certain employee retention criteria are met. In accordance with FASB ASC 470, Debt, and ASC 405-20, Liabilities – Extinguishment of Liabilities, the Company recorded the cash inflow from the PPP loan as a liability, and cash flows from financing, pending legal release from the obligation by the U.S. Small Business Administration at December 31, 2020. Upon forgiveness and legal release, the liability will be reduced by the amount forgiven and a gain on debt extinguishment will be recorded. The Company has used the proceeds for purposes consistent with the PPP and expects this loan to be forgiven in 2021.2023 or 2022.

 

The Company ishas invested its excess working capital reserves in a high yield savings account and government backed securities with UBS Financial Services Inc. (“UBS”).

The Company was party to a Concession Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2008, with the City of New York for the operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (the “Concession Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Concession Agreement, the Company mustwas required to pay the greater of 18% of the first $5,000,000 in any program year based on cash collected (“Gross Receipts”) and 25% of Gross Receipts in excess of $5,000,000, or minimum annual guaranteed payments. During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, the City agreed, in recognition of the pandemic’s impact, that the Company could defer payment of minimum guaranteed payments. In October 2020 City waived the deferred fees through September 30, 2020. Concession fees in this Form 10-K have been accounted for based on the abatement. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we incurred approximately $315,000 and $1,640,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

 

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC onOn February 5, 2016, the Company and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (the “NYCEDC”) announced new measures to reduce helicopter noise and impacts across New York City (the “Air Tour Agreement”).

Under the Air Tour Agreement, the Company has not been allowed to permit its tenant operators to conduct tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sundays since April 1, 2016. The Company was also required to ensure that its tenant operators reduce the total allowable number of tourist flights from 2015 levels by 20 percent beginning June 1, 2016, by 40 percent beginning October 1, 2016 and by 50 percent beginning January 1, 2017. The Air Tour Agreement also provided for the minimum annual guarantee payments the Company is required to pay to the City of New York under the Concession Agreement.

Additionally, beginning onsince June 1, 2016, the Company washas been required to provide monthly written reports to the NYCEDC and the New York City Council detailing the number of tourist flights conducted out of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport compared to 2015 levels, as well as information on any tour flight that flies over land and/or strays from agreed upon routes.

14

The Air Tour Agreement also extended the Concession Agreement for 30 months, resulting in a new expiration date of April 30, 2021. The City of New York has two one-year options to further extend the Concession Agreement. The Air Tour Agreement also provided for the minimum annual guarantee payments the Company is required to pay to2021 and gave the City of New York undertwo one-year options to extend the term of the Concession Agreement. The term of the Concession Agreement be reducedwas subsequently extended by 50%, effective January 1, 2017.the City through April 30, 2023 by the City’s exercise of both one-year option renewals and expired on that date.

 

TheseThe reductions under the Air Tour Agreement have negatively impacted the Company’s business and financial results as well as those of its management company at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Empire Aviation which, as previously disclosed, is owned by the children of a former officer and director of the Company.Aviation. The Company incurred management fees with Empire Aviation of approximately $144,000$448,000 and $2,200,000$2,138,000 during the twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019, respectively, which is recorded in administrative expenses. The Company andDecember 31, 2022, respectively. Empire Aviation had historically contributednotified the Company that it believes additional fees are due under the management agreement. Please see Note 10. Litigation. The Empire management agreement expired April 30, 2023. The Company’s internal management team and heliport employees have taken over all duties relating to the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council (“HTJC”), an association that lobbies on behalfmanagement of the helicopter air tour industry, and which had engaged in discussions with the Mayor’s office.  The Company has suspended its contributions to HTJC in light of the pandemic. The Company’s former officer and director is also an active participant with HTJC, which is managed by the former officer and director’s grandson. One of our Directors and our current acting principal executive officer, Sam Goldstein, serves as deputy director of HTJC.  heliport.

 

On April 20, 2018,During the Company’s Kansas subsidiary entered into a purchase lease with Commerce Bank for a refueling truck (the “Truck Lease”). The Truck Lease commencedprogram year that began on May 1, 2018 and continues for 60 months at an interest rate2020, the City of LIBOR plus 416 basis points. At the endNew York agreed, in recognition of the Truck Lease, the Company’s subsidiary may purchase the vehicle for $1.00.

On January 15, 2019,pandemic’s impact, that the Company was issued an unsecured note by onecould defer payment of its customers atminimum guaranteed payments. In April 2021, the Heliport. The note schedules paymentsCity of approximately $276,000 in receivables payable by such customer, had a maturity dateNew York waived the deferred fees through December 31, 2020. In May 2021, the City of October 31, 2019,New York waived the deferred fees through April 30, 2021 which coincided with the original expiration of the Concession Agreement as amended and carries a 7.5% rateby the Air Tour Agreement. The Company worked with the City of interest. The note payments wereNew York to address fees to be made in six monthly installments beginning May 31, 2019. The customer’s payments on the note have not met the installment plan andpaid by the Company was working on changesfor the period May 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. In March 2022, the City of New York agreed to accept 18% of monthly Gross Receipts in excess of $100,000 as Concession fees for this period. In April 2022, the note whenCompany agreed to resume paying the customer filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in October 2019. In February 2021,City of New York the bankruptcy court allowed the customer to convert from a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 Liquidation. Under the Chapter 7 Liquidation, the note will now be treated as a general unsecured claim as opposed to a prioritized payment under the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to cure the permit default. This change has substantially diminished the Company’s expectation to collecttotal monthly amounts due under the note. Therefore, the Company has deemed unpaid principalConcession Agreement retro-active to January 2022 and accrued interest of approximately $205,000 at December 31, 2020 as uncollectable. The $205,000 was written off to bad debt expense in the fourth quarter of 2020.

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 6, 2015, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement, dated June 30, 2015, by and between the Company and Warren A. Peck, pursuant to which Mr. Peck purchased all of the capital stock of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Phoenix Rising Aviation, Inc. The details of the agreement are described in such Current Report as well as in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on April 11, 2016. The Company received $100,000continue paying fees due under this agreement in September 2017 and an additional payment of $100,000 in September 2018. In 2019, the Company accepted the title to a Falcon 10 aircraft owned by Mr. Peck as satisfaction in full ofConcession Agreement through the remainder of the $270,000 stock purchase price. The Company intended to sell the aircraft and classified it as “Held For Sale” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31. 2019. The Company has been unable to find a buyer due to a depressed market as well as a drop in demand for this type of aircraft. Without a market in which to sell the aircraft, the Company recorded an impairment charge in the quarter ended June 30, 2020 for the full carrying amount of the aircraft. The Company does not believe the aircraft has any value and, in December 2020, filed an application with the FAA Aircraft Registry to cancel the aircraft’s registry.

As described throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, on March 17, 2020, all sightseeing tour operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport ceased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 20, 2020, New York City began Phase 4 of the city’s reopening. Sightseeing tours resumed under this phase. For the period July 20, 2020, through the date of this report, sightseeing tour operators have experienced low demand and minimal activity. To mitigate this loss of revenue, we may need additional financing to continue operations through the issuance of equity or debt and any such financing will be dependent on general market conditions, which itself is subject to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we have access to the Key Bank Revolver Note described above, we can make no assurance that that the Key Bank Revolver Note will be sufficient to fund our operations. Additionally, certain restrictions in the Key Bank Revolver Note may prohibit us from obtaining more attractive financing.Air Tour Agreement.

 

1517

 

Our anticipated capital expendituresOn February 15, 2023, NYCEDC reported that it would be bringing a new concession agreement with the Company as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to the New York City Franchise and Concession Review Committee meeting on March 3, 2023. The item was subsequently removed from the agenda, with NYCEDC announcing on April 7, 2023 that the previous Request for Proposals ("RFP") had been cancelled and that it is their intention to put out a new RFP in 20212023. 

On April 28, 2023, the Company entered into a Temporary Use Authorization Agreement (the “Use Agreement”), effective as of May 1, 2023, with the City of New York acting by and through the New York City of Department of Small Business Services (“DSBS”). The Use Agreement has a term of one year. Pursuant to the terms of the Use Agreement, the Company has been granted the exclusive right to operate as the fixed base operator for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and collect all revenue derived from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport operations. In addition to terminations for an event of default, the Use Agreement could be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or suspended at any time by the NYCEDC. The Company was required under the Use Agreement to remit a monthly administrative fee to the NYCEDC in the amount of $5,000. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $40,000 in administrative fees which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

On July 13, 2023, the DSBS was granted approval by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee to enter into an Interim Concession Agreement (the “Interim Agreement”) with the Company to provide for the continued operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Interim Agreement became effective upon registration with the Comptroller of the City of New York and commenced on December 12, 2023, the date set forth in a written notice to proceed received by the Company. The Interim Agreement provides for one (1) six-month term (the “Initial Period”), with two (2) six-month options to renew (the “Renewal Periods”). The Company is required to pay the greater of $1,036,811 or 30% of Gross Receipts during the Initial Term and the greater of $518,406 or 30% of Gross Receipts during both Renewal Periods. In addition to terminations for an event of default, the Interim Agreement can be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or suspended at any time by the NYCEDC. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred approximately $50,000 - $100,000.$682,000 and $1,509,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

On November 13, 2023, the DBS and NYCEDC released the new RFP. The initial due date for submissions was January 12, 2024, with the due date being subsequently extended to February 12. 2024. The Company submitted a timely proposal in compliance with the terms of the RFP. The Interim Agreement will govern the Company’s operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport until the RFP process is concluded and an operator selected unless terminated earlier pursuant to its terms.

 

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020,2023, we had a net decreaseincrease in cash of $1,698,409.$954,552. Our sources and uses of funds during this period were as follows:

 

Cash from Operating Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in operating activities was $1,590,447. This amount included a decrease in operating cash related to net loss of $1,748,928 and additions for the following items: (i) depreciation, $119,039; (ii) bad debt, $396,000; (iii) impairment charge, $270,000; (iv) impairment of notes receivable, $205,730; (v) stock-based compensation expense, $74,659; (vi) deferred income taxes, $476,000; (vii) accounts receivable, trade, $19,944; and (viii) inventories, $17,585. The decrease in cash used in operating activities in 2020 was offset by the following items: (i) prepaid expenses and income tax receivable, $935,387; (ii) customer deposits, $49,517; (iii) accounts payable, $335,322; and (iv) accrued expenses, $100,250. For the year ended December 31, 2019,2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,123,862.$3,344,387. This amount included an increase in operating cash related to net incomeprofit of $667,644$2,446,444 and additions for the following items: (i) depreciation, $124,264;$16,414; (ii) stock-based compensation, expense, $33,997;$81,999; (iii) prepaid expenses and other current assets, $271,830;inventories, $12,409; (iv) income tax receivable, $75,000; (v) customer deposits, $3,552; (v) deferred income taxes, $31,000;$48,813; (vi) accounts payable, $49,052;$376,628; and (vii) accrued expenses, $59,129.$735,830. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 20192023 was offset by the following items: (i) realized gain on investments, $8,479; (ii) accounts receivable, trade, $106,267;$49,978 and (iii) prepaid expenses $390,693. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,712,556. This amount included an increase in operating cash related to net profit of $1,246,621 and additions for the following items: (i) depreciation, $100,089; (ii) stock based compensation, $71,995; (iii) accounts receivable, $60,866; (iv)inventories, $7,091; (v) income tax receivable, $573,679; (vi) prepaid expenses, $150,805; (vii) customer deposits, $123,755; (viii) accounts payable, $116,284; and (vii) accrued expenses, $192,689. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2022 was offset by the following items: (i) gain on sale of assets, $431,318 and (ii) inventories, $10,339.life insurance proceeds $500,000.

 

Cash from Investing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, net cash of $2,389,835 was used in investing activities was $4,913. This amount represents purchasesfor the purchase of investments of $3,386,842 and the purchase of property and equipment.equipment of $22,992. These amounts were offset by proceeds from the sale of investments of $852,000, the exercise of options of $7,999, and payment of note receivable from sale of assets of $160,000. For the year ended December 31, 2019,2022, net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $87,382.$1,424,315. This amount included paymentsnet proceeds from sale of note receivable of $87,208assets, $1,440,000, offset by purchasesthe purchase of property and equipment, of $174,590.$15,685.

18

 

Cash from Financing Activities

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net2023, there was no cash used in, or provided by, financing activities was $103,049. This amount included additions for the issuance of common stock of $16,196 and the issuance of notes payable of $304,833 offset by $383,909 to the payment of accrued dividends and $40,169 to the repayment of right of use leases.activities. For the year ended December 31, 2019,2022, net cash used inprovided by financing activities was $277,638 of which $112,217 was attributable to the$393,380. This amount included proceeds from life insurance $500,000 offset by (i) repayment of notes payable, $126,630 to the payment of accrued dividends,$67,045; and $38,891 to the(ii) repayment of right of use leases.lease payables, $39,575.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities in which we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities or any other obligations under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides us with financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support.

16

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including those estimates related to product returns, product and content development expenses, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on experience and on various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The critical accounting policies which we believe affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are provided as follows:

 

Accounts Receivable Trade

In 2020,Beginning in April 2022, the Company’s accounts receivable was comprisedcustomers began operating at pre-pandemic levels which continued through the end of four key customers2022. In June 2022, a new tenant began operating at our New YorkDowntown Manhattan Heliport. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two of these key customers were unable to sustain their business and ceased operating in 2020. Their receivable balances at December 31, 2020, totaling approximately $208,000, have been deemed uncollectable by the Company and have been written off to bad debt expense in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company’s remaining two key customers at our New York Heliport continue to operate, but at substantially reduced levels of operation. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, these remaining two key2022, three customers represented approximately $137,000,$184,000, or 52.4%75%, of the balance of accounts receivable. No customerIn addition, these three customers represented more than 10%approximately 83% of our revenue in 2020.2022. The Company has a security deposit in place in connection with bothfor each of these receivables.customers.

 

AtIn September 2023, one of the Company’s former customers resumed operations.For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had concentrations of credit risk in that 73.0%2023, four customers represented approximately $248,000, or 84.1%, of the balance of its accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 was made up of its four key customers. At December 31, 2019, accounts receivable from the Company’s four key customers amounted to approximately $241,298 (35.6%), $115,864 (17.1%), $111,149 (16.4%), and $26,523 (3.9%), respectively. receivable.In addition, these four key customers represented approximately 54.7%84.8% of our revenue in 2019. Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Accounts receivable are periodically evaluated2023. The Company has a security deposit in place for collectability and the allowance for doubtful accounts is adjusted accordingly. We determine collectability based on our management experience and knowledgeeach of thethese customers.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangibles that are deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but, instead, are to be reviewed at each reporting period for impairment. We assessed potential impairment of goodwill using qualitative factors by considering various factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, a sustained share price or market capitalization decrease and any reporting unit specific events. We performed an analysis of our goodwill and intangible assets at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between their financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Deferred tax assets are subject to a valuation allowance because it is more likely than not that certain of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. During 2020 we experienced a decrease in demand and minimal activity in our business. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance cannot be predicted and will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, related travel advisories and restrictions. Accordingly, we have established a valuation allowance on net deferred assets. We file income tax returns in the United States (federal) and in various state and local jurisdictions. In most instances, we are no longer subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017.2020.

 

1719

 

Stock Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards are based on the estimated grant-date fair value. We recognize these compensation costs over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term.

 

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the option. Because our employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by leased assets and provide additional disclosures. ASU 2016-02 became effective for us on January 1, 2019 and we have adopted the new standard using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 


20

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

 

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents to Consolidated Financial Statements

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

2022

  

Consolidated Financial Statements

 
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20202023 and 20192022

2224

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Years Ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022

2325

  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity For the Years Ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022

2426

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022

2527

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2628

 

1921

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

 

Saker Aviation Services, Inc.

 

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Saker Aviation Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows, for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit MattersMatter

 

The critical audit mattersmatter communicated below are mattersis a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matters doesmatter did not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit mattersmatter below, providing separate opinionsopinion on the critical audit mattersmatter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.it relates.

 

Goodwill Impairment AssessmentContingent Liabilities

 

As described in Note 610 to the consolidated financial statements, management assesses matters to determine whether it can reasonably estimate the Company’s consolidated goodwill was $750,000amount of a loss contingency and whether the loss is probable. Where the reasonable estimate of the probable loss is a range, Management records as an accrual in its financial statements the most likely estimate of December 31, 2020.the loss or the low end of the range, if there is no best estimate. Management reviews goodwill for impairment duringeither discloses the fourth quarteramount of a possible loss or more frequentlyrange of a loss in excess of the recorded accrual or states that such an estimate cannot be made. Management discloses significant contingencies even where the liability is not probable or the amount of the loss is not estimable, or both, if events or changes in circumstances indicate the assetmanagement believes there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may be impaired. Management considered the ongoing deterioration in general economic and market conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the respective reporting unit of the Company. Management performs impairment reviews using a fair value method based on management’s judgement and assumptions. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the goodwill. In estimating the fair value, management uses the discounted cash flows method.incurred.

20

 

The principal considerationconsiderations for our determination that performing procedures relatedrelating to the goodwill impairment assessmentloss contingencies is a critical audit matter are the significant judgementjudgment by managementManagement when developingassessing the fair value; this,likelihood of a loss being incurred and when estimating the loss or range of loss for each contingency, which in turn led to a high degree ofsignificant auditor judgement,judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions relating to future cash flowsManagement’s assessment of the liabilities and the discount rate.disclosure associated with loss contingencies.

 

These procedures included, among others, (i) testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates, (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow methodology and (iii) evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to the discount rates and future cash flows of the entity.

Impairment of Held for Sale Asset

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded an asset impairment of $270,000 relating to the aircraft that was a held for sale asset. Management evaluated impairment on the held for sale asset during the second quarter. Management considered the ongoing deterioration in general economic and market conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the asset held for sale. The Company engaged a specialist determine the salability of the aircraft. Based on management’s evaluation and the decrease in demand for the aircraft it resulted in an impairment of the aircraft. The determination of the impairment was a critical audit matter due to the evaluation and judgment required by Company management.

The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures related to the goodwill impairment assessment is a critical audit matter are the significant judgement by management when developing the fair value; this, in turn, led to a high degree of auditor judgement, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions relating to future cash flows and the discount rate.

22

 

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We obtained an understandingThese procedures included auditing the estimated range of loss provided by Management to determine if the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, as well as financial statement disclosures. These procedures also included, among others, evaluating the reasonableness of Management’s assessment regarding whether the loss is probable and evaluating the sufficiency of the Company’s impairment evaluation process and compared the data that was used.disclosures related to this contingency.

 

Uncertain Tax Positions

As noted in footnote 8, the Company recorded uncertain tax position assets as of December 31, 2020. Judgement is required by management in determining the Company’s tax provision and recording the related income tax assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is uncertain. As disclosed by management, a valuation allowance for the best estimate of the probable loss on this tax position has been recorded.

The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures related to uncertain tax positions is a critical audit matter are significant judgement by management when developing whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be recovered and the high degree of judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions relating to the future recoverability of this asset.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, testing management’s process for developing whether there would be taxable income/losses in future years and the availability, or lack thereof, of taxable income in prior carryback periods.

 

 

/s/ Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co. P.C.

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2009.

 

Kingston, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2021April 01, 2024

PCAOB ID No. 448

 

2123

  

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

        
  

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash

 $1,899,082  $3,597,491 

Accounts receivable

  262,101   678,045 

Inventories

  163,619   181,204 

Note receivable

  ---   188,828 

Held for sale asset

  ---   270,000 

Income tax receivable

  955,500   --- 

Prepaid expenses

  257,629   294,644 

Total current assets

  3,537,931   5,210,212 
         

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $3,745,861 and $3,676,488 respectively

  258,856   323,316 
         

OTHER ASSETS

        

Deposits

  2,512   2,512 

Right of use assets

  445,711   495,377 

Goodwill

  750,000   750,000 

Deferred income taxes

  ---   476,000 

Total other assets

  1,198,223   1,723,889 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $4,995,010  $7,257,417 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        
         

CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Accounts payable

 $62,021  $397,343 

Customer deposits

  80,878   130,395 

Accrued dividends payable

  ---   373,370 

Accrued expenses

  219,307   319,557 

Note Payable

  304,833   --- 

Right of use leases payable – current portion

  43,306   60,675 

Total current liabilities

  710,345   1,281,340 
         

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

        

Right of use leases payable - less current portion

  376,933   399,733 

Total liabilities

  1,087,278   1,681,073 
         

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

        

Preferred stock - $0.03 par value; authorized 333,306; none issued and outstanding

        

Common stock - $0.03 par value; authorized 3,333,334; 1,028,863 and 1,020,135 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively

  30,866   30,604 

Additional paid-in capital

  19,909,230   19,818,637 

Accumulated deficit

  (16,032,364)  (14,272,897)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  3,907,732   5,576,344 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 $4,995,010  $7,257,417 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

22

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 
  

2020

  2019 
         

REVENUE

 $3,506,268  $11,567,725 
         

COST OF REVENUE

  2,525,341   5,851,066 
         

GROSS PROFIT

  980,927   5,716,659 
         

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

  2,472,203   4,669,097 
         

OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME

  (1,491,276)  1,047,562 
         

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

        

IMPAIRMENT CHARGE

  270,000   --- 

BAD DEBT

  412,696   --- 

INTEREST INCOME

  (18,109)  (27,069)

INTEREST EXPENSE

  24,025   7,987 
         

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME)

  688,612   (19,082)
         

(LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, before income taxes

  (2,179,888)  1,066,644 
         

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE

        

CURRENT

  (906,960)  368,000 

DEFERRED

  476,000   31,000 
         

INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE

  (430,960)  399,000 
         

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 $(1,748,928) $667,644 
         
         

Basic Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share

 $(1.71) $0.66 
         

Diluted Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share

 $(1.71) $0.65 
         

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares – Basic

  1,024,907   1,008,979 
         

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares – Diluted

  1,024,907   1,021,865 
  

December 31,

2023

  

December 31,

2022

 
ASSETS        
         

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 $6,931,709  $5,977,157 

Investments

  2,543,321   0 

Accounts receivable

  294,521   244,543 

Non-Compete receivable

  0   160,000 

Inventories

  1,142   13,551 

Income tax receivable

  44,899   119,899 

Prepaid expenses

  745,606   354,913 

Total current assets

  10,561,198   6,870,063 
         

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $3,127,876 and $3,111,462 respectively

  49,440   42,862 
         

TOTAL ASSETS

 $10,610,638  $6,912,925 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES        

Accounts payable

 $705,133  $328,505 

Customer deposits

  253,446   204,633 

Accrued expenses

  1,333,092   597,262 

Total current liabilities

  2,291,671   1,130,400 
         
Total liabilities  2,291,671   1,130,400 
         

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Preferred stock - $0.03 par value; authorized 333,306; none issued and outstanding

        
Common stock - $0.03 par value; authorized 3,333,334; 985,888 and 976,330 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively  29,577   29,290 

Additional paid-in capital

  19,902,505   19,812,794 

Accumulated deficit

  (11,613,115)  (14,059,559)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  8,318,967   5,782,525 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 $10,610,638  $6,912,925 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 


24

 

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019OPERATIONS

 

          

Additional

      

Total

 
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Equity

 

BALANCE January 1, 2019

  1,006,768  $30,203  $19,756,839  $(14,440,541) $5,346,501 
                     

Amortization of stock based compensation

           33,997        33,997 
                     

Dividends

              (500,000   (500,000
                     

Issuance of additional Common Stock in connection with reverse split

  525   16   (16      0 
                     

Issuance of additional Common Stock

  12,842   385   27,817       28,202 
                     

Net income

               667,644    667,644 
                     

BALANCE December 31, 2019

  1,020,135   $30,604  $19,818,637  $(14,272,897) $5,576,344 
                     

Amortization of stock based compensation

           74,659        74,659 
                     

Dividends

              (10,539  (10,539
                     

Issuance of additional Common Stock

   8,728    262    15,934        16,196 
                     

Net loss

              (1,748,928  (1,748,928
                     

BALANCE December 31, 2020

  1,028,863  $30,866   $19,909,230  $(16,032,364) $3,907,732  

24

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net (loss) income

 $(1,748,928) $667,644 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

  119,039   124,264 

Bad debt

  206,966     

Impairment charge

  270,000   --- 

Impairment of note receivable

  205,730   --- 

Stock based compensation

  74,659   33,997 

Deferred income taxes

  476,000   31,000 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable, trade

  208,978   (106,267)

Inventories

  17,585   (10,339)

Income tax receivable

  (955,500)    

Prepaid expenses

  20,113   271,830 

Customer deposits

  (49,517)  3,552 

Accounts payable

  (335,322)  49,052 

Accrued expenses

  (100,250)  59,129 

TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS

  158,481   456,218 
         

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  (1,590,447)  1,123,862 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Payment of notes receivable

  ---   87,208 

Purchase of property and equipment

  (4,913)  (174,590)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  (4,913)  (87,382)
         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Issuance of common stock

  16,196   --- 

Notes Payable:

        

Borrowings:

  304,833   --- 

Repayments

  ---   (112,117)

Dividends paid

  (383,909)  (126,630)

Repayment of right of use leases payable

  (40,169)  (38,891)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  (103,049)  (277,638)
         

NET CHANGE IN CASH

  (1,698,409)  758,842 
         

CASH – Beginning

  3,597,491   2,838,649 

CASH – Ending

 $1,899,082  $3,597,491 

NON-CASH OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Accrued Dividend Payable

 $---  $373,370 

Change in Accounts Receivable through issuance of a Note Receivable

 $---  $276,036 

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for Lease obligations

 $---  $548,070 

Issuance of common stock

 $---   28,202 

Change in assets held for sale from Notes Receivable

 $---  $270,000 
         

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

        

Cash paid during the periods for:

        

Interest

 $24,025  $7,987 

 

Income taxes

 $59,415  $79,029 
  

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 
  

2023

   2022  
         

REVENUE

 $8,837,614  $7,598,597 

COST OF REVENUE

  2,556,394   2,985,281 

GROSS PROFIT

  6,281,220   4,613,316 
         

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

  2,768,310   3,880,902 
         

OPERATING INCOME

  3,512,910   732,414 
         
OTHER INCOME        

BAD DEBT RECOVERY

  212,000   125,000 

LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS, FORMER PRESIDENT

  0   500,000 

REALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS

  8,479   0 

INTEREST INCOME

  220,098   3,302 
         

TOTAL OTHER INCOME

  440,577   628,302 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS, before income taxes

  3,953,487   1,360,716 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

  (1,507,043)  (300,000)

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

  2,446,444   1,060,716 
         
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS        

Loss

  0   (65,413)

Gain in Sale of Assets

  0   431,318 

Income tax expense

  0   (180,000)
         

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of income taxes

  0   185,905 
         

NET INCOME

 $2,446,444  $1,246,621 
         
         

Basic Net Income Per Common Share

 $2.50  $1.28 
         

Diluted Net Income Per Common Share

 $2.47  $1.26 
         

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares – Basic

  976,782   976,048 

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares – Diluted

  989,686   987,149 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

25

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial StatementsCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

          

Additional

      

Total

 
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Stockholders’

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Equity

 

BALANCE – January 1, 2022

  975,074  $29,252  $19,740,837  $(15,306,180) $4,463,909 
                     

Amortization of stock based compensation

          71,995       71,995 
                     
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with exercise of stock options  1,256   38   (38)      0 
                     

Net income

              1,246,621   1,246,621 
                     
BALANCE – December 31, 2022  976,330  $29,290  $19,812,794  $(14,059,559) $5,782,525 
                     
Amortization of stock based compensation          81,999       81,999 
                     
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with exercises of stock options  9,558   287   7,712       7,999 
                     
Net income              2,446,444   2,446,444 
                     
BALANCE – December 31, 2023  985,888  $29,577  $19,902,505  $(11,613,115) $8,318,967 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

26

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  

For the Years Ended

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income

 $2,446,444   1,246,621 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        

Depreciation and amortization

  16,414   100,089 

Life insurance proceeds

  0   (500,000)

Stock based compensation

  81,999   71,995 

Realized gain on investments

  (8,479)  0 

Gain on sale of assets

  0   (431,318)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

  (49,978)  60,866 

Inventories

  12,409   7,091 

Income tax receivable

  75,000   573,679 

Prepaid expenses

  (390,693)  150,805 

Customer deposits

  48,813   123,755 

Accounts payable

  376,628   116,284 

Accrued expenses

  735,830   192,689 

TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS

  897,943   465,935 
         

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

  3,344,387   1,712,556 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchase of investments

  (3,386,842)  0 

Proceeds from sales of investments

  852,000   0 

Net proceeds from sale of assets

  0   1,440,000 

Payment for exercise of options

  7,999   0 
Payment of note receivable from sale of assets  160,000   0 

Purchase of property and equipment

  (22,992)  (15,685)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

  (2,389,835)  1,424,315 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Proceeds from life insurance

  0   500,000 

Repayment of notes payable

  0   (67,045)

Repayment of right of use leases payable

  0   (39,575)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

  0   393,380 
         

NET CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH

  954,552   3,530,251 
         

CASH, CASH EQUIVAELNTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH – Beginning

  5,977,157   2,446,906 

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH – Ending

 $6,931,709   5,977,157 
         
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES        

Net proceeds from sale of assets was reduced by issuance of a note receivable

  0  $160,000 
         

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

        

Cash paid during the periods for:

        

Interest

 $0   17,979 

Income taxes

 $728,110   216,546 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

27

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 1 - Nature of Operations

 

Our business activities are carried out by FirstFlight Heliports, LLC d/b/a Saker Aviation Services Inc. (“Saker”FFH”), through its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”), operates in the aviation services segment of the general aviation industry, in which it servesa wholly-owned subsidiary, as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport via a heliportconcession agreement with the City of New York. FBO Air Garden City, Inc. d/b/a Saker Aviation Services (“GCK”), a wholly-owned subsidiary and, until October 31, 2022, provided services as a fixed base operationoperator (“FBO”), and as a provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”). FBOs provide ground-based services, such as fueling and aircraft storage for general aviation, commercial and military aircraft, and other miscellaneous services.

 

FirstFlight Heliports, LLC d/b/a Saker Aviation Services (“FFH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, operates the Downtown Manhattan Heliport via a concession agreement with the City of New York. FBO Air Garden City, Inc. d/b/a Saker Aviation Services (“FBOGC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary provides FBO and MRO services in Garden City, Kansas.

 

NOTE 2 – Liquidity and Material Agreements

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Company2023, we had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $1,899,082$6,931,709 and a working capital surplus of $2,827,585. The Company$8,269,527. We generated revenue from continuing operations of $3,506,268$8,837,614 and had a net lossincome of $(1,748,928)$2,446,444 for the twelve monthsyear ended December 31, 2020.2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash flows included net income of $2,446,444, cash provided by operating activities of $3,344,387, and cash used in investing activities of $2,389,835.

 

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), onOn March 15, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Key Bank National Association (the “Bank”). The Loan Agreement contains three components: (i) a $2,500,000 acquisition line of credit (the “Key Bank Acquisition Note”); (ii)for a $1,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “Key Bank Revolver Note”); and (iii) a $338,481 term loan (the “Key Bank Term Note”).

Proceeds of the Key Bank Acquisition Note were to be disbursed pursuant to a multiple draw demand note dated as of the agreement date, where the Company could, which, at the discretion of the Bank, borrow up to an aggregate amount of $2,500,000, to be used for the Company’s acquisition of one or more business entities. Until the Change of Terms Agreement, as defined below, the Company was required to make consecutive monthly payments of interest, calculated at a rate per annum equal to one-day LIBOR (adjusted daily) plus 2.75%, on any outstanding principal under the Key Bank Acquisition Note from the date of its issuance through September 15, 2018 (the “Conversion Date”).

At any time through and including the Conversion Date, at the Bank’s discretion, the Company had the opportunity to request that any loan made under the Key Bank Acquisition Note be converted into a term loan to be repaid in full, including accrued interest, by consecutive monthly payments over a 48 month amortization period beginning after the Conversion Date. For any loan that was not converted into a term loan on or before the Conversion Date, the Company would have been required to begin making monthly payments of principal and interest after the Conversion Date, over a 48 month amortization period, after which the remaining unpaid principal and accrued interest would have become due and payable. All loans under the Key Bank Acquisition Note would have, after the Conversion Date, accrued interest at a rate per annum equal to the Bank’s four year cost of funds rate plus 2.5%. As of the Conversion Date, there were no amounts due under the Key Bank Acquisition Note and no amounts had been converted to a term loan.

On October 11, 2018, and as subsequently amended, the Company entered into a new loan agreement with the Bank (as so amended, the “Change of Terms Agreement”) which modified the original terms of the Key Bank Acquisition Note. Under the Change of Terms Agreement, the Company may continue to, at the discretion of the Bank, borrow up to an aggregate amount of $2,500,000 through September 1, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”), to be used for the Company’s acquisition of one or more business entities. The Change of Terms Agreement requires the Company to make consecutive monthly payments of interest on any outstanding principal calculated at a rate per annum equal to 4.25% and would be secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The entire principal balance, plus all accrued interest, is due in full on the Maturity Date. As of December 31, 2020, there were no amounts due under the Change of Terms Agreement.

Proceeds from the Key Bank Revolver Note, at the discretion of the Bank, provideprovides for the Company to borrow up to $1,000,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes. On November 22, 2023, the Bank reduced the amount available under the Key Bank Revolver Note to $500,000. This revolving line of credit is a demand note with no stated maturity date. Borrowings under the Key Bank Revolver Note will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to one-day LIBOR (adjusted daily)Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.75%. The Company is required to make monthly payments of interest on any outstanding principal under the Key Bank Revolver Note and is required to pay the entire balance, including principal and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees, upon demand by the Bank. Any proceeds from the Key Bank Revolver Note would be secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of December 31, 2020, thereThere were no amounts due under the Key Bank Revolver Note.

26

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

Proceeds from the Key Bank Term Note were utilized to retire amounts previously outstanding under a $280,920 term loan from PNC Bank. As of December 31, 2020, all amounts outstanding under the Key Bank Term Note have been repaid.

On August 14, 2020, the Company was granted a loan from the Bank (“the Loan”) in the amount of $304,833, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under Division, Title I of the CARES Act, which was enacted March 27, 2020. The Loan, which was in the form of a Note dated August 14, 2020 (“the “Note”), matures in August 2025 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum and is payable in monthly installments commencing on, or before, October 31, 2021. The Note may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The Company did not provide any collateral or guarantees in connection with the PPP loan. Funds from the loan may only be used for payroll costs, costs used to continue group health care benefits, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and interest on other debt obligations incurred during the covered 24 week period. The loan qualifies for forgiveness provided the proceeds are used for eligible expenses on the covered period and certain employee retention criteria are met. In accordance with FASB ASC 470, Debt, and ASC 405-20, Liabilities – Extinguishment of Liabilities, the Company recorded the cash inflow from the PPP loan as a liability, and cash flows from financing, pending legal release from the obligation by the U.S. Small Business Administration at December 31, 2020. Upon forgiveness and legal release, the liability will be reduced by the amount forgiven and a gain on debt extinguishment will be recorded. The Company has used the proceeds for purposes consistent with the PPP and expects this loan to be forgiven in 2021.2023 or 2022.

 

The Company ishas invested its excess working capital reserves in a high yield savings account and government backed securities with UBS Financial Services Inc. (“UBS”).

The Company was party to a Concession Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2008, with the City of New York for the operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (the “Concession Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Concession Agreement, the Company mustwas required to pay the greater of 18% of the first $5,000,000 in any program year based on cash collected (“Gross Receipts”) and 25% of Gross Receipts in excess of $5,000,000, or minimum annual guaranteed payments. During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, the City agreed, in recognition of the pandemic’s impact, that the Company could defer payment of minimum guaranteed payments. In October 2020 the City waived the deferred fees through September 30, 2020. Concession fees in this Form 10-Q have been accounted for based on the abatement. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred approximately $315,000 and $1,640,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

 

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC onOn February 5, 2016, the Company and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (the “NYCEDC”) announced new measures to reduce helicopter noise and impacts across New York City (the “Air Tour Agreement”).

Under the Air Tour Agreement, the Company has not been allowed to permit its tenant operators to conduct tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport on Sundays since April 1, 2016. The Company was also required to ensure that its tenant operators reduce the total allowable number of tourist flights from 2015 levels by 20 percent beginning June 1, 2016, by 40 percent beginning October 1, 2016 and by 50 percent beginning January 1, 2017. The Air Tour Agreement also provided for the minimum annual guarantee payments the Company is required to pay to the City of New York under the Concession Agreement.

Additionally, beginning onsince June 1, 2016, the Company washas been required to provide monthly written reports to the NYCEDC and the New York City Council detailing the number of tourist flights conducted out of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport compared to 2015 levels, as well as information on any tour flight that flies over land and/or strays from agreed upon routes.

The Air Tour Agreement also extended the Concession Agreement for 30 months, resulting in a new expiration date of April 30, 2021. The City of New York has two one-year options to further extend the Concession Agreement. The Air Tour Agreement also provided for the minimum annual guarantee payments the Company is required to pay to2021 and gave the City of New York undertwo one-year options to extend the term of the Concession Agreement. The term of the Concession Agreement be reducedwas subsequently extended by 50%, effective January 1, 2017.the City through April 30, 2023 by the City’s exercise of both one-year option renewals and expired on that date.

 

28

These

The reductions under the Air Tour Agreement have negatively impacted the Company’s business and financial results as well as those of its management company at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Empire Aviation which, as previously disclosed, is owned by the children of a former officer and director of the Company.Aviation. The Company incurred management fees with Empire Aviation of approximately $144,000$448,000 and $2,200,000$2,138,000 during the twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Empire Aviation notified the Company that it believes additional fees are due under the management agreement, as further described in Note 10. Litigation. The Empire management agreement expired April 30, 2023. The Company’s internal management team and heliport employees have taken over all duties relating to the management of the heliport.

During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, and 2019, respectively,the City of New York agreed, in recognition of the pandemic’s impact, that the Company could defer payment of minimum guaranteed payments. In April 2021, the City of New York waived the deferred fees through December 31, 2020. In May 2021, the City of New York waived the deferred fees through April 30, 2021 which is recorded in administrative expenses.coincided with the original expiration of the Concession Agreement as amended by the Air Tour Agreement. The Company worked with the City of New York to address fees to be paid by the Company for the period May 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. In March 2022, the City of New York agreed to accept 18% of monthly Gross Receipts in excess of $100,000 as Concession fees for this period. In April 2022, the Company agreed to resume paying the City of New York the total monthly amounts due under the Concession Agreement retro-active to January 2022 and Empire Aviation had historically contributedto continue paying fees due under the Concession Agreement through the remainder of the Air Tour Agreement.

On February 15, 2023, NYCEDC reported that it would be bringing a new concession agreement with the Company as the operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to the Helicopter TourismNew York City Franchise and Jobs Council (“HTJC”), an associationConcession Review Committee meeting on March 3, 2023. The item was subsequently removed from the agenda, with NYCEDC announcing on April 7, 2023 that lobbies on behalf of the helicopter air tour industry,previous Request for Proposals ("RFP") had been cancelled and which had engagedthat it is their intention to put out a new RFP in discussions with the Mayor’s office.  The Company has suspended its contributions to HTJC in light of the pandemic. The Company’s former officer and director is also an active participant with HTJC, which is managed by the former officer and director’s grandson. One of our Directors and our current acting principal executive officer, Sam Goldstein, serves as deputy director of HTJC.  

27

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements2023. 

 

On April 20, 2018, the Company’s Kansas subsidiary entered into a purchase lease with Commerce Bank for a refueling truck (the “Truck Lease”). The Truck Lease commenced on May 1, 2018 and continues for 60 months at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 416 basis points. At the end of the Truck Lease, the Company’s subsidiary may purchase the vehicle for $1.00.

On January 15, 2019, the Company was issued an unsecured note by one of its customers at the Heliport. The note schedules payments of approximately $276,000 in receivables payable by such customer, had a maturity date of October 31, 2019, as amended, and carries a 7.5% rate of interest. The note payments were to be made in six monthly installments beginning May 31, 2019. The customer’s payments on the note have not met the installment plan and the Company was working on changes to the note when the customer filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in October 2019. In February 2021, the bankruptcy court allowed the customer to convert from a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 Liquidation. Under the Chapter 7 Liquidation, the note will now be treated as a general unsecured claim as opposed to a prioritized payment under the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy to cure the permit default. This change has substantially diminished the Company’s expectation to collect amounts due under the note. Therefore, the Company has deemed unpaid principal and accrued interest of approximately $205,000 at December 31, 2020 as uncollectable. The $205,000 was written off to bad debt expense during the fourth quarter of 2020.

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 6, 2015,28, 2023, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement, dated June 30, 2015,Temporary Use Authorization Agreement (the “Use Agreement”), effective as of May 1, 2023, with the City of New York acting by and betweenthrough the New York City of Department of Small Business Services (“DSBS”). The Use Agreement has a term of one year. Pursuant to the terms of the Use Agreement, the Company has been granted the exclusive right to operate as the fixed base operator for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and Warren A. Peck, pursuantcollect all revenue derived from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport operations. In addition to which Mr. Peck purchased allterminations for an event of default, the Use Agreement could be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the capital stock ofDSBS or suspended at any time by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Phoenix Rising Aviation, Inc.NYCEDC. The details ofCompany was required under the agreement are described in such Current Report as well asUse Agreement to remit a monthly administrative fee to the NYCEDC in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K foramount of $5,000. For the year ended December 31, 2015,2023, the Company incurred $40,000 in administrative fees which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

On July 13, 2023, the DSBS was filedgranted approval by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee to enter into an Interim Concession Agreement (the “Interim Agreement”) with the SECCompany to provide for the continued operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. The Interim Agreement became effective upon registration with the Comptroller of the City of New York and commenced on April 11, 2016.December 12, 2023. The Interim Agreement provides for one (1) six-month term (the “Initial Period”), with two (2) six-month options to renew (the “Renewal Periods”). The Company received $100,000 due under this agreement in September 2017is required to pay the greater of $1,036,811 or 30% of Gross Receipts during the Initial Term and the greater of $518,406 or 30% of Gross Receipts during both Renewal Periods. In addition to terminations for an additional paymentevent of $100,000 in September 2018. In 2019,default, the Company acceptedInterim Agreement can be terminated at any time by the title to a Falcon 10 aircraft owned by Mr. Peck as satisfaction in fullCommissioner of the remainderDSBS or suspended at any time by the NYCEDC. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred approximately $682,000 and $1,509,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

On November 13, 2023, the DBS and NYCEDC released the new RFP. The initial due date for submissions was January 12, 2024, with the due date being subsequently extended to February 12. 2024. The Company submitted a timely proposal in compliance with the terms of the $270,000 stock purchase price.RFP. The Company intended to sell the aircraft and classified it as “Held For Sale” onInterim Agreement will govern the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31. 2019. The Company has been unable to find a buyer due to a depressed market as well as a drop in demand for this typeoperation of aircraft. Without a market in which to sell the aircraft, the Company recorded an impairment charge in the quarter ended June 30, 2020 for the full carrying amount of the aircraft. The Company does not believes the aircraft has any value and, in December 2020, filed an application with the FAA Aircraft Registry to cancel the aircraft’s registry.

As described throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, on March 17, 2020, all sightseeing tour operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport ceased as a result ofuntil the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 20, 2020, New York City began Phase 4 of the city’s reopening. Sightseeing tours resumed under this phase. For the period July 20, 2020, through the date of this report, sightseeing tour operators have experienced low demandRFP process is concluded and minimal activity. To mitigate this loss of revenue, the Company may need additional financingan operator selected unless terminated earlier pursuant to continue operations through the issuance of equity or debt and any such financing will be dependent on general market conditions, which itself is subject to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company have access to the Key Bank Revolver Note described above, the Company can make no assurance that that the Key Bank Revolver Note will be sufficient to fund our operations. Additionally, certain restrictions in the Key Bank Revolver Note may prohibit us from obtaining more attractive financing.its terms.

 

 

NOTE 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, FFH and FBOGC.GCK. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

29

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include depreciation, amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangibles, stock-based compensation, allowance for doubtful accounts andcredit losses, deferred tax assets.

28

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statementsassets, and contingent liabilities.

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

The Company maintains its cash with various financial institutions which often exceeds federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses from maintaining cash accounts in excess of federally insured limits. As part of its cash management process, the Company periodically reviews the relative credit standing of these financial institutions. Amounts included in restricted cash at December 31, 2022 is a deposit of $425,000 required by the Concession Agreement with NYEDC. The deposit restriction was lifted in connection with the termination of the Concession Agreement on April 30, 2023. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Investments and Related Allowance for Credit Losses

Investments held by the Company have readily determinable fair values and are reported at cost, which approximates fair value at December 31, 2023. On a monthly basis, realized gains and losses are determined by using the first-in first-out method and will be reported in other income and unrealized gains and losses will be reported in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Investments consist of U.S. treasury Notes and Bills with maturities ranging from March 31, 2024 through November 30, 2024. Investments are not purchased with the intent of selling in the near term. However, from time to time, the Company may decide to sell certain securities for liquidity, tax planning and other business purposes. Purchases and sales are recorded on a trade date basis and interest income is recorded when earned.

The Company classifies its debt securities classified as available for sale are carried in the financial statements at fair value. Realized gains and losses on available for sale debt securities, determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, are included in earnings. Management assesses the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, industry, and/or geographic conditions, credit ratings as well as other indicators at the individual security level. Impairments below cost in the estimated fair value of individual available for sale debt securities when there is an intent to sell or for which it more likely than not the Company will be required to sell before the impairment is recovered, are realized in other income in the statements of operations. When there is not an intent to sell or it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the security before the impairment is recovered, management assesses whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. If the present value of discounted cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for available for sale credit losses is recorded. Such losses are limited to the amount that amortized cost exceeds fair value, even if the amount of the credit loss is greater. Any future changes in the allowance for credit losses is recorded as provision for (reversal of) credit losses.

Accounts Receivable Trade and Revenue Concentration

In 2020,Beginning in April 2022, the Company’s accounts receivable was comprisedcustomers began operating at pre-pandemic levels which continued through the end of four key customers2022. In June 2022, a new tenant began operating at our New York Heliport. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two of these key customers were unable to sustain their business and ceased operating in 2020. Their receivable balances at December 31, 2020, totaling approximately $208,000, have been deemed uncollectable by the Company and have been written off to bad debt expense in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company’s remaining two key customers continue to operate, but at substantially reduced levels of operation. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, these remaining two key2022, the Company’s three customers represented approximately $137,000,$184,000, or 52.4%75%, of the balance of accounts receivable. No customerIn addition, these three customers represented more than 10%approximately 83% of our revenue in 2020.2022. The Company has a security deposit in place in connection with bothfor each of these receivables.customers.

 

AtIn September 2023, one of the Company’s former customers resumed operations.For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2023, the Company had concentrations of credit risk in that 73.0%Company’s four customers represented approximately $248,000, or 84.1%, of the balance of its accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 was made up of its four key customers. At December 31, 2019, accounts receivable from the Company’s four largest accounts amounted to approximately $241,298 (35.6%), $115,864 (17.1%), $111,149 (16.4%), and $26,523 (3.9%), respectively. receivable.In addition, these four customers represented approximately 54.7%84.8% of our revenue in 2019. Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Accounts receivable are periodically evaluated2023. The Company has a security deposit in place for collectability and the allowance for doubtful accounts is adjusted accordingly. We determine collectability based on our management experience and knowledgeeach of thethese customers.

 

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of maintenance parts and aviation fuel andAccounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Collection losses have historically been immaterial, and management concluded that, based on its review of material balances outstanding, current economic conditions and the financial stability of its customers a valuation allowance for credit losses was not needed.

Inventories

Inventory consists of aviation fuel which is stated at lower of cost or net realizable value determined by the first-in,first in first out method.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as set forth in footnote 5.4. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful life or lease term, including renewal option periods expected to be exercised.life. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; costs of major additions and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.

 

Goodwill

Goodwill that is deemed to have an indefinite life is not amortized but, instead, are to be reviewed at each reporting period for impairment. The Company assessed potential impairment of goodwill using qualitative factors by considering various factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, a sustained share price or market capitalization decrease and any reporting unit specific events. The Company performed an analysis of its goodwill at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and deemed no impairment necessary.

Leases

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our consolidated balance sheets include a right of use asset of approximately $446,000 and $495,000, respectively, a long-term lease liability of approximately $377,000 and $400,000, respectively, and a short-term liability of approximately $43,000 and $61,000, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from ground-based services, such as fueling and aircraft storage, and aircraft maintenance and repair services.. Revenue for the sale of ground-based services is recognized as a sale of services at the time the service is performed and provided to customers. Revenue for the sale of aircraft fuel is recognized at the time products are delivered to customers. Customers are invoiced at the time the services are performed and the associated revenue is recognized in the period it is earned. Revenue from aircraft storage services is recognized monthly based upon agreement. Aircraft maintenance and repair service revenue is recognized at the time the performance obligations are met, which is generally less than a month. Performance obligations are satisfied when control of the aircraft has been transferred back to the customer.

29

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Customer Deposits

Customer deposits consist of amounts that customers are required to remit in advance to the Company in order to secure payment for future purchases and services.

Advertising

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended Customer deposits amounted to $253,446 and $204,633 at December 31, 20202023 and 2019 was approximately $4,000 and $29,840,2022, respectively.

 

30

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between their financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income or loss in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Company’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

Deferred tax assets are subject to a valuation allowance because it is more likely than not that certain of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods due to the uncertainty of future taxable income and the lack thereof of taxable income in carrybackcarry-back periods. The Company files income tax returns in the United States (federal) and in various state and local jurisdictions. In most instances, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017.2020.

 

Discontinued Operations

A component of the Company is classified as a discontinued operation when (i) the operations and cash flows of the component of the Company can be clearly distinguished and have been or will be eliminated from our ongoing operations; (ii) the component has either been disposed of or is classified as held for sale; and (iii) we will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component of the Company after the disposal transactions. Significant judgments are involved in determining whether a component meets the criteria for discontinued operations reporting and the period in which these criteria are met.

If a component of the Company is reported as a discontinued operation, the results of operations through the date of sale, including any gain or loss recognized on the disposition, are presented on a separate line of the Statement of Operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The reported amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amounts of debt approximate fair value because the debt agreements provide for interest rates that approximate market. The carrying value of the note receivable approximated fair value because it was discounted at a current market rate.

 

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per share applicable to common stockholders is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other instruments to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Potentially dilutive securities, consisting of options, are excluded from the calculation of the diluted income per share when their exercise prices are greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period or when their inclusion would be antidilutive.anti-dilutive. 

 

The following table sets forth the components used in the computation of basic and diluted income per share:

 

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 

2020(1)

2019(1)

 

2023(1)

 

2022(1)

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

1,024,907

1,008,979

 976,782  976,048 

Common shares upon exercise of options

---

12,886

  12,904  11,101 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

1,024,907

1,021,865

  989,686  987,149 

 

 

(1)

Common shares of 53,32813,332 and 40,40226,664 underlying outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as their inclusion would be antidilutive.anti-dilutive.

 

30

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards are based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term. For each of the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the Company incurred stock based compensation of $74,659$81,999 and $33,997,$71,995, respectively. Such amounts have been recorded as part of the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020,2023, the unamortized fair value of the options totaled $34,396$92,880 and the weighted average remaining amortization period of the options approximated five years.

 

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the option. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

 

31

The fair value of each share-based payment award granted during the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average fair values:

 

  

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Dividend yield

  0%  0%

Expected volatility

  636%  910%

Risk-free interest rate

  0.36%  1.6%

Expected lives (years)

  5.0   5.0 

The weighted average fair value of the options on the date of grant, using the fair value based methodology during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $1.14 and $5.16, respectively.

  

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

Dividend yield

  0%  0%

Expected volatility

  4.918%  4.918%

Risk-free interest rate

  3.84%  3.99%

Expected lives, years

  5.0   5.0 

 

 

NOTE 4 – Inventories

Inventory consists primarily of aviation fuel, which the Company dispenses to its customers, and parts inventory as a result of the acquisition of Aircraft Services. The Company also maintains fuel inventories for commercial airlines, to which it charges into-plane fees when servicing commercial aircraft.

Inventories consist of the following:

  

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Parts inventory

 $92,481  $87,625 

Fuel inventory

  59,336   79,497 

Other inventory

  11,802   14,082 

Total inventory

 $163,619  $181,204 

Included in fuel inventory are amounts held for third parties of $30,904 and $25,804 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, with an offsetting liability included as part of accrued expenses.

31

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 5 – Property and Equipment, Net

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

 

December 31,

  

Estimated

  

December 31,

 

Estimated

 
 

2020

  

2019

  

Useful Life (years)

  

2023

 

2022

 

Useful Life

(in years)

 

Aircraft

 $56,000  $56,000   712 

Vehicles

  396,483   396,483   510 

Office furniture and equipment

  454,170   452,520   37  $424,242  $413,574  37 

Tools and shop equipment

  85,110   81,847   310 

Leasehold improvements

  2,812,954   2,812,954   1020   2,753,074   2,740,750  1020 

Building/fuel farm

  200,000   200,000   717 

Total

  4,004,717   3,999,804       3,177,316  3,154,324     

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (3,745,861)  (3,676,488)       (3,127,876)  (3,111,462)    

Property and equipment, net

 $258,856  $323,316       $49,440  $42,862     

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 was approximately $119,000$16,000 and $124,000,$100,000, respectively. The decrease in depreciation expense was attributable to the sale of our Kansas operation on October 31, 2022.

 

 

NOTE 65Goodwill

The Company had $750,000 of goodwill at each of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company assessed potential impairment of goodwill using qualitative factors by considering various factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, a sustained share price or market capitalization decrease and any reporting unit specific events. The Company performed an analysis of its goodwill at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and deemed no impairment necessary.

NOTE 7 – Notes Payable

Notes payable consist of:

 

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

KeyBank PPP SBA loan, 5 year term, 1% interest Company expects the loan to be forgiven in 2021.

 $304,833   --- 

Subtotal

  304,833   --- 

Less: current portion

  (304,833)  --- 

Total – long term

 $---  $--- 

NOTE 8 – Income Taxes

 

The Company’s deferred tax assets consisted of the following: 

 

  

December 31,

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

2020

  

2019

 

Stock based compensation

 $60,000  $44,000 

Goodwill and intangibles

  ---   3,000 

Property and equipment

  466,000   471,000 

Total deferred tax assets

  526,000   518,000 

Valuation Allowance

  (526,000)  (42,000)
         

Deferred tax asset – net of valuation allowance

 $---  $476,000 
         

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

 $484,000  $(8,000)

32

  

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 
Deferred tax assets:        

Stock based compensation

 $86,000  $86,000 

Property and equipment

  376,000   385,000 

Total deferred tax assets

  462,000   471,000 

Valuation Allowance

  (462,000)  (471,000)
         

Deferred tax asset – net of valuation allowance

 $0  $0 
         

Decrease in valuation allowance

 $(9,000) $0 

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

During the year theThe valuation allowance increasedfluctuated due to the uncertainty of future taxable income and the lack thereof of taxable income in carryback periods.income.

 

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations using the statutory federal tax rate as compared to the Company's effective tax rate is summarized as follows:

 

  

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

Tax at statutory rate

  21.0%  21.0%

Life insurance proceeds

  0%  (11.7)%

State and local income taxes, net of federal

  17.0%  12.7%

Effective income tax expense rate

  38.0%  22.0%

Income tax receivable principally consists of funds due from the taxing authorities resulting from the carryback of of net operating loss to prior tax years.

  

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Tax at statutory rate

  21.0%  21.0%

Net operating loss carryback

  15.8%  --- 

Valuation allowance

  (21.8%)    

State and local income taxes, net of federal

  4.7%  16.4%

Effective income tax expense rate

  19.7%  37.4%
32

 

 

NOTE 96StockholdersStockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

A summary of the Company’s shares of Common Stock outstanding at December 31, 20202023 is presented in the table below:

 

 

Number of shares

outstanding

 

January 1, 2019December 31, 2022

  1,006,768976,330 

Shares issued in connection with Reverse Split

525

Shares issuedIssuance of common stock in connection with exercise of stock options

  7,806

Shares issued in connection with Employment Agreement

5,0369,558 

December 31, 20192023

  1,020,135985,888 

Shares issued in connection with exercise of stock options

3,609

Shares issued in connection with Employment Agreement

5,119

December 31, 2020

1,028,863

 

Stock Options

On August 27, 2019, at the Company’s Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company approved the Stock Incentive Plan of 2019 (”(the “2019 Plan”) at which time the “Plan”Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). was terminated and no future awards could be issued under the 2005 plan. As of December 31, 2023, there were no options outstanding under the 2005 Plan.

The 2019 Plan is administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee and provides for 250,000185,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance under the Plan. Directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan provides for the awards of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The Compensation Committee determined the vesting schedule to be up to five years at the time of grant of any options under the Plan, and unexercised options will expire in up to ten years. The exercise price is to be equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of the common stock, as determined by the Compensation Committee, on the grant date. The fair value of stock options are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, there were 196,672110,840 and 124,172 shares, respectively, available for grant as options under the 2019 Plan.

33

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Details of all options outstanding under the Plan are presented in the table below:

 

 

Number of

Options

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

  

Number of

Options

 

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

 
         

Balance, December 31, 2018

  63,327  $2.594 

Balance, January 1, 2022

 59,994  $2.184 

Granted

  13,332   5.600  20,832  4.900 

Exercised

  (13,332)  2.350  (3,333) 2.580 

Expired

  (9,999)  2.550   (9,999) 3.240 

Balance, December 31, 2019

  53,328  $3.391 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 67,494  $4.040 

Granted

  13,332   2.580  13,332  7.600 

Exercised

  (6,666)  2.820   (13,332) 2.662 

Expired

  (6,666)  2.400 

Balance, December 31, 2020

  53,328  $3.384 

Balance, December 31, 2023

  67,494  $5.012 

 

A summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding at December 31, 20202023 is presented in the table below:

 

Exercise Price

  

Outstanding

  

Weighted average

remaining contractual

life of options

(in years)

  

Exercisable

  

Intrinsic

Value

 
$2.58   13,332   4.92   ---  $10,569 
$5.60   13,332   3.92   13,332  $--- 
$2.40   9,999   2.92   9,999  $9,727 
$3.24   9,999   1.92   9,999  $1,327 
$2.25   6,666   .92   6,666  $7,484 

TOTALS

   53,328       39,996  $29,107 

Exercise Price

  

Outstanding

  

Weighted average remaining contractual life of

options (in years)

  

Exercisable

  

Intrinsic

Value

 
 $7.60   13,332   4.92   ---  $0 
 $4.00   7,500   3.66   7,500  $13,069 
 $5.40   13,332   3.92   13,332  $4,566 
 $3.45   9,999   2.92   9,999  $22,923 
 $2.58   9,999   1.92   9,999  $31,622 
 $5.60   13,332   .92   13,332  $1,900 

TOTALS

   67,494       54,162  $74,080 

 

Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the Company has 333,306 shares of preferred stock authorized and none of which is issued and outstanding.  On February 27, 2019, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the state of Nevada a certificate of amendment to our articles of incorporation. The amendment provided for, among other things, a reduction in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock to 333,306. The Company’s Board of Directors currently has the right, with respect to the authorized shares of our preferred stock, to authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock with such voting, dividend and other rights as the directors determine. As of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding. 

33

 

 

NOTE 107Employee Benefit Plan

 

The Company maintains a 401K Plan which covers all employees of the Company (the “401K Plan”). Effective January 1, 2020, the Company switched to a Safe Harbor 401K plan. The Safe Harbor 401K Plan stipulates that, going forward, all employees become vested 100% on day one. Employer contributions prior to the change vest over a five-year period on a 20% per year basis. The Company’s Safe Harbor 401K Plan provides that the Company match each participant's contribution at 100% up to 4% of the employee’s deferral. The employer match prior to the change was 50% up to 6% of the employee’s deferral. Company contributions to the 401K Plan totaled approximately $42,000$28,000 and $31,000$40,000 for the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively.

 

 

NOTE 118Commitments

Right-Of-Use Leasing Arrangements

The Company leases facilities from Garden City, Kansas, which provides for: (a) a 21-year lease term expiring December 31, 2030, with one five-year renewal period, and (b) a base rent of $2,187 per month. In addition, the Company incurs a fuel flowage fee of $0.06 per gallon of fuel received. The fuel flowage fee is to be reviewed annually by the Garden City Regional Airport, the City of Garden City, and the Company. Flowage fees on fuel gallons purchased aggregated approximately $36,000 and $52,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.Related Parties

 

The Company leases additional facilities from Garden City, Kansas, which provides for a 14 year lease term expiring December 31, 2030 with a base rent of $565 a month.

34

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

In 2018, the Company’s Kansas subsidiary entered into a purchase lease with Commerce Bank for a refueling truck. The lease commenced on May 1, 2018 and continues for 60 months at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 416 basis points. At the end of the lease, the Company’s subsidiary may purchase the vehicle for $1.00.

The Company’s lease right of use assets and lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows:

  

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Right of use assets

 $445,711  $495,377 

Current portion of debt and right of use lease liabilities

 $43,306  $60,675 

Long term portion of debt and right of use lease liabilities

 $376,933  $399,733 

Total right of use lease liabilities

 $420,239  $460,408 

Weighted average remaining lease terms (years)

  11   12 

Weighted average discount rate

  5.5%  5.5%

The maturities of the Company’s right of use lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

For the year ended

    

December 31,

 

Total

 

2021

 $65,040 

2022

  65,040 

2023

  44,496 

2024

  34,224 

2025

  34,224 

Thereafter

  342,240 

TOTAL

 $585,264 

Less Interest

  (165,025)

Present value of lease liabilities

 $420,239 

The components of right of use lease expenses included in “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations aggregated approximately $34,000 and $35,000 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE 12 – Dividend Payable

On September 30, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a special cash dividend of $0.50 per share (the “Dividend”). The Dividend was paid in equal quarterly installments of $0.125 per share beginning on November 1, 2019, with the final dividend paid on August 13, 2020. The accrued dividend payment amounted to $373,370 at December 31, 2019. The declaration and payment of any future dividend will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

NOTE 13 – Related Parties

From time to time, the law firm of Wachtel & Missry, LLP provides certain legal services to the Company and its subsidiaries.subsidiaries from time to time. William B. Wachtel, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, is a managing partner of suchthis firm. During the yeartwelve months ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019, no services were provided to2022, the Company was billed approximately $93,000 and $3,000, respectively, for legal services by Wachtel & Missry, LLP.

 

As described in more detail in Note 2, Liquidity and Material Agreements, theThe Company iswas party to a management agreement with Empire Aviation, an entity owned by the children and grandchild of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and a former member of our Company’s Board of Directors.

NOTE 9 – Discontinued Operations

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 3, 2022, GCK entered into a FBO Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Crosby Flying Services, LLC (the “Buyer”) pursuant to which GCK agreed (i) to sell to the Buyer substantially all of its assets (the “Assets”) and none of its liabilities, and (ii) to a seven year non-competition covenant (the “Non-Compete”) whereby the Company, including its subsidiaries and affiliates, will not engage in any business involving the operation of a fixed based operation supplying aviation fuels and lubricants or the supply of other goods or provision of services typically supplied or performed at fixed base operations at airports at any facility located within one hundred (100) miles of the Garden City Regional Airport in Garden City, Kansas (the “Airport”), for $1.6 million.

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2022, on October 31, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the Company closed on the sale of the Assets to the Buyer and became subject to the Non-Compete, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.5 million, after certain closing adjustments. The Buyer paid the purchase price on the Closing Date less $160,000, that amount being subject to GCK’s and the Company’s compliance with a Non-Compete Agreement. The $160,000 was paid upon the first anniversary of the Closing Date.

GCK results of operations have been reported as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

Components of discontinued operations are as follows:

  

12/31/22

 
     

Revenue

 $3,704,048 

Cost of revenue

  3,183,561 

Gross profit

  520,487 

Operating expenses

  567,920 

Operating loss from discontinued operations

  (47,433)

Gain on sale

  431,318 

Income tax expense

  (180,000)

Interest expense

  (17,980)

Net income from discontinued operations

  185,905 

Basic and diluted net income per common share

  0.19 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic

  976,048 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted

  987,149 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, total operating, investing, and financial cash flows from discontinued operations were $(416,413), $1,440,000, and $(106,620), respectively.

34

NOTE 10 – Litigation

Empire Aviation, LLC (“Empire”) and the Company were parties to a certain Management Agreement (the “Management Agreement”) effective November 1, 2008. The Management Agreement terminated on April 30, 2023. As previously disclosed in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Note 10. Contingent Liabilities, Empire Aviation notified the Company that it believes additional fees (“Management Fees”) are due under the Management Agreement.

On March 14, 2024, the Company and Empire participated in an arbitration of this dispute. In their filing, Empire claims that Saker failed to pay Empire certain Management Fees in various months throughout the term of the Management Agreement, aggregating approximately $1,050,000 plus $250,000 in accrued interest. Of this amount, approximately $350,000 has been accrued by the Company in 2023 and is included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in accounts payable. Saker has asserted numerous defenses including, but not limited to, Empire waiving its rights to such fees by the parties’ course of conduct. Further, Saker asserted counterclaims against Empire. The Company and Empire will each submit proposed findings to the arbitrator in the next 30 days. We anticipate that the arbitrator will issue his rulings within 30 days of these submissions. Although we believe that Saker has valid defenses and a good chance to prevail on the merits against Empire’s claims, we can give no assurance as to the same.

NOTE 11 – Investments

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish a framework for measuring fair value.  That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

·

inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or by other means.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The fair value measurements and levels within the fair value hierarchy of these measurements for the assets reported at fair value on a recurring basis are U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills in the amount of $2,543,321 within level 2.

The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers of investments into or out of Level 3 as of the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. For the year ended December  31, 2023 , there were no transfers of investments into or out of Level 3. There are no assets requiring the use of Level 3 inputs for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

35

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial

 

NOTE 14 – Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be a party to one or more claims or disputes which may result in litigation. The Company’s management does not, however, presently expect that any such matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 15 – Risks and Uncertainties

On March 17, 2020, all sightseeing tour operations at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport ceased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 20, 2020, New York City began Phase 4 of the city’s reopening. Sightseeing tours resumed under this phase. For the period July 20, 2020, through the date of this report, sightseeing tour operators have experienced low demand and minimal activity. To mitigate this loss of revenue, the Company may need additional financing to continue operations through the issuance of equity or debt and any such financing will be dependent on general market conditions, which itself is subject to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company have access to the Key Bank Revolver Note described above, the Company can make no assurance that that the Key Bank Revolver Note will be sufficient to fund our operations. Additionally, certain restrictions in the Key Bank Revolver Note may prohibit us from obtaining more attractive financing. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, related travel advisories and restrictions, and the impact of the virus on overall demand for the Company’s products, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

The Company is party to a Concession Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2008, with the City of New York for the operation of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (the “Concession Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Concession Agreement, the Company must pay the greater of 18% of the first $5,000,000 in any program year based on cash collected (“Gross Receipts”) and 25% of Gross Receipts in excess of $5,000,000, or minimum annual guaranteed payments. During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, the City agreed, in recognition of the pandemic’s impact, that the Company could defer payment of minimum guaranteed payments. In October 2020 the City waived the deferred fees through September 30, 2020. Concession fees in this Form 10-Q have been accounted for based on the abatement. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred approximately $315,000 and $1,640,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost of revenue.

The fees for the fourth quarter, if not waived, would aggregate approximately $238,000 and have not been accrued at December 31, 2020.

NOTE 1612Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluatedmade an assessment of its operations and determined that there were no material subsequent events which have occurred subsequentrequiring adjustment to, or disclosure in, our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, and through the date of the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC, and has determined that no subsequent events have occurred after the current reporting period.2023.

36

 

 

SAKER AVIATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes To Consolidated Financial

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management, including our President (principal financial officer) and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, our President and our Chief Executive Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed and submitted by us under the Exchange Act, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed and tested, have inherent limitations, including, among other things, the possibility of human error, circumvention or disregard. Therefore, even those systems of internal control that have been determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control system are met and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our President (principal financial officer), we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment under this framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.2023.

 

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

ITEM 9B.9C.

OTHER INFORMATIONDISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

 

None.Not Applicable.

 


36

 

Part IIIII

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The following table contains certain information related to the directors and executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2020:2023:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

     

William B. Wachtel

 

6669

 

Director, Chairman of the Board

     

Ronald J. RicciardiSamuel Goldstein (1)

 

5945

 

Director, President & Chief Executive Officer

Samuel Goldstein (1)

42

DirectorCEO

     

Marc Chodock

 

4245

 

Director

     

Roy Moskowitz

 

6669

 

Director

    

On December 24, 2020, Mr. Ricciardi began a temporary leave of absence to address health issues unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective March 26, 2021, Mr. Goldstein began serving as our acting principal executive officer.

 

Each of our directors is elected at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Our officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors to serve at the discretion of the Board.

 

Business History

 

William B. Wachtel Director, Chairman of the Board

 

Mr. Wachtel was elected as a director and our Chairman of the Board on March 31, 2005. Mr. Wachtel served as our Chairman until April 8, 2009, when he resigned from such capacity but remained a member of the Board. On October 27, 2011, Mr. Wachtel was re-elected as our Chairman of the Board.Board and has served in that capacity since October 27, 2011.

 

Mr. Wachtel has been a managing partner of Wachtel Missry LLP (previously Wachtel & Missry,Masyr, LLP, and before that, its predecessor law firm Gold & Wachtel, LLP), since its founding in August 1984. Such firm has provided certainDuring the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company was billed approximately $93,000 and $3,000, respectively, for legal services to the Company in the past. Heby Wachtel & Missry, LLP. Mr. Wachtel is a co-founder of the Drum Major Institute, an organization carrying forth the legacy of the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

We believe that Mr. Wachtel’s participation is important to our Board of Directors because of his extensive experience advising companies regarding legal issues which providesgives him with a depththe qualifications and breadthskills to serve on our board of experience that enhances our ability to navigate legal and strategic issues, and because of his extensive experience working with us.directors..

 

Ronald J. RicciardiSamuel Goldstein Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Mr. Ricciardi was designated as Chief Executive Officer on November 29, 2018 and has served as our President since March 2009. From August 2004 until September 2006, Mr. Ricciardi also served as our Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Ricciardi was a director of Saker’s predecessor entity since its inception in 2003 and continues to serve in that capacity for the current entity. From December 2006 until October 2010, Mr. Ricciardi served as Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Ricciardi served as Chairman of the Board from April 2009 until October 2011.

38

Mr. Ricciardi is a senior executive with extensive general management experience in entrepreneurial and large companies. Before joining Arizona FBO Air and from 2000 - 2003, Mr. Ricciardi was President and CEO of P&A Capital Partners, Inc., an entertainment finance company established to fund the distribution of independent films. From 1999 – 2000, Mr. Ricciardi was also co-founder, Chairman and CEO of eTurn, Inc., a high technology service provider, for which he developed a consolidation strategy, negotiated potential merger and acquisition candidates, prepared private placement materials and executed numerous private, institutional and venture capital presentations. After a management career at Pepsi-Cola Company and the Perrier Group of America, Mr. Ricciardi was President and CEO of Clearidge, Inc., a leading regional consumer products company, where he provided strategic and organizational development, and led a consolidation effort that included 14 transactions, which more than tripled the revenue of Clearidge, Inc. over four years.

Mr. Ricciardi’s participation is important to our Board of Directors because of his 16 years of experience working in a variety of roles with us, including his service on our Board of Directors, combined with his knowledge of the aviation industry and his extensive management experience, all of which demonstrate his strong commitment to us and make him a valued member of our Board of Directors.

On December 24, 2020, the Company announced that Mr. Ricciardi was taking a temporary leave of absence to address health issues unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Mr. Ricciardi’s leave of absence, Mark Raab, the Company’s Corporate Controller, serves as the Company’s acting principal financial officer and acting principal accounting officer until such time as Mr. Ricciardi is able to resume his responsibilities. Effective March 26, 2021, Mr. Goldstein has been appointed to serve as our acting principal executive officer.  The Company does not expect Mr. Ricciardi’s temporary leave of absence to have a negative impact on the Company’s business operations.

Samuel Goldstein Director

Mr. Goldstein was appointed as a director on September 21, 2018.  Effective March 26, 2021, Mr. Goldstein has been appointed to serve as2018 and our acting principal executive officer during Mr. Ricciardi’s temporary leave of absence.President and Chief Executive Officer on July 5, 2022.

 

Mr. Goldstein hashad served since 2014, and continues to serve, as Deputy Director ofon the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council (“HTJC”). from 2014 through 2019. During this time, HTJC successfully negotiated a settlement with the City of New York enabling the helicopter air tour industry to continue operations. In early 2019, Mr. Goldstein joined Marino, a leading strategic communications firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, where he iswas a director with Marino’s Land Use Public Policy unit.unit since 2019, and as Senior Director, Public Policy & External Relations since 2021. Mr. Goldstein left Marino at the end of 2023. Mr. Goldstein was also a principal at Kivvit Public Affairs from 2017 to 2018 and served previously as the director of government relations for Selfhelp Community Services, one of New York’s largest senior housing and social service organizations, from 2008 to 2013.

 

37

We believe Mr. Goldstein’s participation is important to our Board of Directors because his exposure and outreach skills, developed in part as the previous Deputy Director of HTJC and corresponding knowledge of the local helicopter marketplace, enable Mr. Goldsteingives him the qualifications and skills to advise the Companyserve on potential coursesour board of action.directors.

 

Marc Chodock Director

 

Mr. Chodock was appointed as a director on June 25, 2015. 

 

Mr. Chodock has been acting as a private investor since February 2013. Previously, he was a consultant in the New York office of McKinsey & Company and a Principal at MatlinPatterson Global Advisors,Advisers, where he served on the Board of Directors of four companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Science from the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania.

 

We believe Mr. Chodock's participation is important to our Board of Directors because of his extensive experience in advising companies by serving on boards as well as his knowledge in depth and breadth of the aviation industry.industry gives him the qualifications and skills to serve on our board of directors.

 

Roy P. Moskowitz Director

 

Mr. Moskowitz was appointed as a director on June 25, 2015.

 

Mr. Moskowitz has been the Chief Legal Officer of The New School from 2006 to 2019. From 1988 – 2004, Mr. Moskowitz held senior positions of legal oversight for New York educational institutions, including the New York State Education Department, City University of New York, Community School District #2, and the Regional Superintendent of Region 9.

 

39

We believe Mr. Moskowitz’ participation is important to our Board of Directors because his extensive experience analyzing legal issues enables Mr. Moskowitzgives him the qualifications and skills to advise the Companyserve on potential coursesour board of action, particularly when legal topics are involved.directors..

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among our directors and executive officers.

 

Other Directorships

 

None of our directors serves as a director of a company (1) with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, (2) subject to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or (3) registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Code of Ethics

 

On May 19, 2006, our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions as well as to all of our other employees and directors. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.sakeraviation.com under the “Investor Relations” tab, and then under the “Corporate Governance” sub-tab. We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirements pursuant to Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or a waiver from, certain provisions of our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website under the “Investor Relations” section.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

There are three committees of the Board of Directors: the Audit Committee comprised of Marc Chodock and Roy P. Moskowitz, and Samuel Goldstein; the Nominating Committee comprised of William B. Wachtel and Ronald J. Ricciardi;Samuel Goldstein; and the Compensation Committee comprised of Roy P. Moskowitz, Marc Chodock, and Samuel Goldstein.

38

 

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

 

Based solely on a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto, furnished to us during the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202023 and Forms 5 and amendments thereto, furnished to us with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020,2023, each director and officer timely reported all of his transactions during that most recent fiscal year as required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except for Messrs. Wachtel, Ricciardi, Goldstein, Moskowitz, and Chodock, each of whom filed one late Form 4 reporting one transaction.Act.

 

Corporate Governance

 

There have been no changes to the procedures by which our security holders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors since our Board of Directors set forth such policy in our proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 6, 2013.

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that, of its Audit Committee, Marc Chodock qualifies as a financial expert as such term is defined in applicable SEC rules, and Roy P. Moskowitz, Samuel Goldstein and Marc Chodock qualify as “independent” as such term is defined by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

40

Audit Committee

 

The board of directors has an audit committee that is responsible for assisting our board of directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors, and our internal financial and accounting controls. The audit committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention (including termination) and oversight of our independent auditors, and our independent auditors report directly to the audit committee. The audit committee also prepares the audit committee report that the SEC requires to be included in our annual proxy statement.

The members of the audit committee are Messrs. Roy P. Moskowitz and Marc Chodock. Each member of the audit committee qualifies as an independent director under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Our board of directors has determined that Marc Chodock qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is currently defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 11.

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As a smaller reporting company under the Exchange Act, we are providing the following executive compensation information in accordance with the scaled disclosure requirements pursuant to Item 402(m)-(q) of Regulation S-K.

 

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation paid by us during the fiscal years ended December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 for services performed on our behalf with respect to the person who served as our executive officerofficers and employees designated as ofhighly compensated during the year ended December 31, 2020.

2023 and 2022.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

Year

 

Salary

($)(1)

 

Bonus

($)(2)

  

Stock Awards

($)(3)

 

 

All Other

Compensation

($)(4)

Total

($)

             

Ronald J. Ricciardi, President and Chief Executive Officer

2020

[194,189]

  45,000   16,196 

[25,152]

[280,547]

 

2019

[165,385]

  10,000   28,202 

[18,104]

[221,691]

Name and Principal Position

Year

 

 

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

�� 

Stock Awards

($)(1)

  

All Other

Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
                      

Samuel Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer

2023

  0   50,000   25,331(2)   22,000   97,331 
 

2022

  0   0   17.998(2)   4,500   22,498 

 

1.

Due to the substantial financial impact of the pandemic on the Company’s operations, effective April 1, 2020, Mr. Ricciardi’s base salary was decreased from $200,000 to $150,000. Mr. Ricciardi had received a base salary in 2019 of $200,000, which was increased from $150,000 on September 1, 2019.

 

2.(1)

Pursuant to his employment agreementThe fair value of the stock awards granted are calculated in accordance with the Company, Mr. Ricciardi received a bonus of $45,000 in 2020 based on the Company’s 2019 performance. In addition, Mr. Ricciardi received a $10,000 bonus in 2019.FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

3.(2)

Mr. Ricciardi was granted 5,119 and 5,036 shares ofRepresents the Company’s common stock on September 17, 2020 and December 5, 2019, respectively. Thefair value of the shares issuedoption awards granted to Mr. Ricciardi in 2020 and 2019 were valued at $16,196 and $28,202, respectively.Goldstein for his services as a non-employee director.

 

4.(3)

Represents the total non-employee director fees received by Mr. Ricciardi receives health insurance coverage estimated at a value of approximately $1,571 and $1,067 per month in 2020 and 2019, respectively, and received a match to his 401K contributions of approximately $6,300 and $5,300 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.Goldstein.

39

Mr. Samuel Goldstein became our acting principal executive officer in March 2021. He was appointed as the company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and principal executive, financial, and accounting officer, on July 5, 2022. In 2023, Mr. Goldstein, received $15,000 in consulting fees and a $50,000 bonus. Mr. Goldstein received no compensation or bonuses in 2022. As a non-employee director, Mr. Goldstein is entitled to a fee of $1,000 per board meeting.

Mr. Goldstein is currently the Company’s sole executive officer.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 20192023

 

There are no outstanding equity awards atThe following table shows information about the number of unexercised stock options held by our named executive officer as of December 31, 2020.2023:

  

Option Awards (1)

Name

 

Number of Securities

Underlying

Unexercised Options (#)

Exercisable

  

Number of Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options (#)

Unexercisable

  

Option Exercise

Price ($)

 

Option

Expiration

Date

Samuel Goldstein:

             
   3,333   --   5.60 

12/05/2024

   3,333   --   2.58 

12/01/2025

   3,333   --   3.45 

12/01/2026

   3,333   --   5.40 

12/01/2027

   ---   3,333   7.60 

12/01/2029

(1)

All outstanding awards of stock options were granted under our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan

 

20202023 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

 

Fees

Earned in

Cash

($)(1)

  

Option

Awards

($)(2)

  

Total

($)

 
             

Samuel Goldstein

  6,000   8,599   14,599 
             

William B. Wachtel

  4,000   8,599   12,599 
             

Marc Chodock

  6,250   8,599   14,849 
             

Roy P. Moskowitz

 $6,000   8,599   14,599 

The table below shows information about the compensation of our non-executive directors except for Samuel Goldstein for their service during fiscal 2023. The Compensation for our non-employee director Samuel Goldstein, who is our President and Chief Executive Officer, is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

 

Fees

Earned in

Cash

($)(1)

  

Option

Awards

($)(2)

  

Total

($)

 
Name            
             

William B. Wachtel

  8,000   25,331   33,331 
             

Marc Chodock

  9,250   25,331   34,581 
             

Roy P. Moskowitz

  9,500   25,331   34,831 

 

1.

Each non-employee director is entitled to a fee of $1,000 per board meeting and $750 and $500 per committee meeting for committee chairman and committee members, respectively. Each director is also entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

2.

Each non-employee director is eligible to be granted an annual option to purchase shares of our common stock. On December 1, 2020,2023, the Board of Directors granted each non-employee director an option for their service in 2020.2023. Each option was for 3,333 shares and was priced at $2.58$7.60 per share, which was the closing sales price of our common stock on December 1, 2020.2023. The options vest on December 1, 20212024 and may be exercised until December 1, 2025.2028. See Item 12. for a description of all outstanding options held by non-employee directors and employees at December 31, 2020.2023. The fair value of the option awards are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

4140

 

Employment Agreements 

 

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 06, 2019, effective September 1, 2019,of December 31, 2023, the Company and Ronald J. Ricciardi entered into a newhas no Employment Agreement (the “New Agreement”). Pursuant to the New Agreement, Mr. Ricciardi will continue to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Among other things, the New Agreement provides for a four-year term with a base salary of $200,000 with subsequent annual base salary increases at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Ricciardi is eligible to receive an annual incentive bonusAgreements in an amount equal to 25% of the then-applicable base salary earned in the event that the Company meets or exceeds its annual operating plan for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Mr. Ricciardi also received a stock award upon the execution of the New Agreement. In addition, Mr. Ricciardi is eligible for additional stock awards upon each of the four anniversary dates of this New Agreement. Each of the five stock awards shall be the number of shares equal to the issued and outstanding shares of the Company on the date of each issuance multiplied by one half of one percent. The issuance of such stock awards are to be administered according to the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan, as approved the Company’s stockholders.place.

 

Additional Narrative Disclosure

 

We do not offer a defined benefit retirement or pension plan. The Company maintains a 401K Plan (the “401K Plan”) which covers all employees of the Company. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company switched to a Safe Harbor 401K plan. The Safe Harbor 401K Plan stipulates that, going forward, all employees become vested 100% on day one. Employer contributions prior to the change vest over a five-year period on a 20% per year basis. The Company’s Safe Harbor 401K Plan provides for the Company to match each participant's contribution at 100% up to 4% of the employee’s deferral. The employer match prior to the change was 50% up to 6% of the employee’s deferral. Company contributions to the 401K Plan totaled approximately $42,000$28,000 and $31,000$40,000 for the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively.

 

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Beneficial Owners

 

The following table presents certain information as of March 31, 2021April 1, 2024 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

 

●          

each of our current executive officer and each of our directors; and

●         

all of our current directors and executive officer as a group; and

●         

each other person or entity known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our issued and outstanding common stock;

 

Unless otherwise indicated below, the address for each of our directors and officers is 20 South Street, Pier 6 East River, New York, New York 10004.

 

  

Number of

Shares

  

 

 
  

of Common

Stock

  

Percentage of

Common Stock

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Beneficially

Owned

  

Beneficially

Owned (1)

 
         

William B. Wachtel (2)

  189,558(3)  18.2%
         

Samuel Goldstein (4)

  15,611(5)  1.5%
         

Marc Chodock (6)

  120,513(7)  11.6%
         

Roy P. Moskowitz (8)

  15,414(9)  1.5%
         

All directors and officers as a group (4 in number)

  341,096   32.8%
         

Ronald I. Heller (10)

  64,085(10)  6.5%
         

Ravi Desai (11)

  73,445(11)  7.4%
         

Eriksen Capital Management, LLC (12)

  55,525(12)  5.3%

4241

 

  

Number of Shares

  

Percentage of

 
  

of Common Stock

  

Common Stock

 
  Beneficially  Beneficially 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Owned

  

Owned (1)

 
         

William B. Wachtel (2)

  158,895(3)  15.2

%

         

Ronald J. Ricciardi (4)

  53,787   5.2

%

         

Marc Chodock (5)

  113,847(6)  11.0

%

         

Samuel Goldstein (7)

  6,666(8)  0.6

%

         

Roy P. Moskowitz (9)

  17,124(10)  1.6

%

         

All directors and officers as a group (5 in number)

  350,319   32.8

%

         

Ronald I. Heller (11)

  64,085(11)  6.2

%

(1)

The percentages computed in the table are based upon 1,028,863985,888 shares of our common stock, which were outstanding on March 31, 2021.April 1, 2024. Under the rules of the SEC, “beneficial ownership” is deemed to include shares for which an individual, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or dispositive power, whether or not they are held for the individual’s benefit, and includes shares that may be acquired within 60 days, including, but not limited to, the right to acquire shares by the exercise of options or the vesting of restricted stock units. Effect is given pursuant to Rule 13-d(1)(i) under the Exchange Act, to shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2021.

April 1, 2024, such amount of exercisable options totaling 54,162, We have omitted percentages of less than 1% from the table.

  

(2)

William B. Wachtel is our Chairman of the Board and a director.

  

(3)

The shares of our common stock reported in the table include: (a) 145,563147,975 shares held by Mr. Wachtel in the open market; (b) 3,33328,251 shares issuable uponof common stock owned by EuroAmerican Investment Corporation of which he is the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2021, which option is currently exercisable;sole shareholder, director and officer, (c) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2022,2024, which option is currently exercisable; (d) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2023,2025, which option is currently exercisable; and (e) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2024,2026, which option is currently exercisable; and (f) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2027, which is currently exercisable. The shares of our common stock reported in the table do not reflect (x) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2020,2023, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2021;2024; and (y) 11,11311,114 shares of our common stock acquired by Wachtel Missry, LLP, which has provided certain legal services for us. Mr. Wachtel is a managing partner of such firm, but does not have sole dispositive or voting power with respect to such firm’s securities.

  

(4)

Ronald J. RicciardiSamuel Goldstein is our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director.

(5)

The shares of our common stock reported in the table include (a) 2,279 shared held by Mr. Goldstein; (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2024, which option is currently exercisable and (c) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2025, which option is currently exercisable and (d) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2026, which option is currently exercisable and (d) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2027, which is currently exercisable. The shares of our common stock in the table do not reflect 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2023, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2024.

(5)
(6)Marc Chodock is a director.
  

(6)(7)

The shares of our common stock reported in the table are based on a Schedule 13D13D/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2015 and subsequent Form 4s filed by Mr. Chodock.December 4, 2023. The reporting persons are (i)ACM Value Opportunities Fund I, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Fund”), with respect to the shares of our common stock directly owned by it; (ii) ACM Value Opportunities Fund I GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company  (the “General Partner”), as general partner of the Fund, with respect to the shares of our common stock directly owned by the Fund, (iii) Arvice Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”), as manager of the Fund, with respect to the shares of our common stock directly owned by the Fund; and (iv) Mr. Marc Chodock (“Mr. Chodock”), as managing member of the Manager, with respect to the shares of our common stock directly owed by the Fund.  The business address of each of the Reporting Persons is 110 East 25th St., 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10011. The shares of our common stock reported in the table also include: (a) 3,333107,181 shares issuable uponheld by the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2022, which option is currently exercisable,reporting persons listed above (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2023,2024, which option is currently exercisable and (c) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2025, which option is currently exercisable and (d) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2026, which option is currently exercisable and (e) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2027, which is currently exercisable. The shares of our common stock reported in the table do not reflect 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2023, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2028.

42

(8)Roy P. Moskowitz is a director.

(9)

The shares of our common stock reported in the table include (a) 8,748 shares held by Mr. Moskowitz; (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2024, which option is currently exercisable; (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2027, which option is currently exercisable. The shares of our common stock reported in the table do not reflect 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2020,2023, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2021.

43

(7)

Samuel Goldstein is a director.2024.

  
(8)(10)The shares of our common stock reported in the table include (a) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2023, which option is currently exercisable and (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2024, which option is currently exercisable. The shares of our common stock in the table do not reflect 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2020, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2021.

(9)

Roy P. Moskowitz is a director.

(10)

The shares of our common stock reported in the table include (a) 7,125 shares held by Mr. Moskowitz; (b) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2022, which option is currently exercisable; (c) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2023, which option is currently exercisable; and (d) 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option expiring December 1, 2024. The shares of our common stock reported in the table do not reflect 3,333 shares issuable upon the exercise of an option granted on December 1, 2020, which shall become exercisable on December 1, 2021.

(11)

Ronald I. Heller’s address is c/o Heller Capital Partners, 700 E. Palisade Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07632. Mr. Heller is the beneficial owner of 64,085 shares of common stock.stock as disclosed in a 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Committee on April 10, 2015, after taking into account our 1 for 30 reverse stock split which was effective March 1, 2019. The Heller Family Foundation holds 45,752 shares of common stock and the Ronald I. Heller IRA holds 18,333 shares of common stock. Mr. Heller controls the voting and disposition of such securities held by the Heller Family Foundation and Ronald I. Heller IRA.

(11)

Ravi Desai’s address is 14 Walsh Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Mr Desai is the beneficial owner of 73,445 shares of common stock as disclosed in a 13D/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Committee on March 14, 2023.

(12)

E Eriksen Capital Management LLC’s address is 8695 Glendale Road, Custer, WA 98240. Eriksen is the beneficial owner of 55,525 shares, including (i) 49,627 shares held by Cedar Creek Partners LLC, a private investment partnership managed by the reporting person; (ii) 4,810 shares in separately managed accounts managed by Eriksen Capital Management; and (iii) 1,088 shares held by Tim Eriksen, as disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2024.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table sets forth certain information, as of December 31, 2020,2023, with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans. The only security being so offered is our common stock.

 

  

Number of Securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants and rights

  

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

  

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation

plans (excluding

securities reflected in

column (a))

 
  

(a)

  

(b)

  

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  53,328  $2.655   196,672 
             

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

    $    

Total

  53,328  $2.655   196,672 

We received stockholder approval on December 12, 2006 for the Saker Aviation Services, Inc. Stock Option Plan of 2005 which relates to 250,000 shares of our common stock. Additionally, we received stockholder approval on December 5, 2019 for the Saker Aviation Services Inc. 2019 Stock Incentive Plan, which made 185,000 shares of our common stock were available for award under the plan.

On February 27, 2019, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the state of Nevada a certificate of amendment to our articles of incorporation. The amendment provided for a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split”) of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-30. This amendment further provided for a reduction in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to 3,333,334, as well as for a reduction in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock to 333,306 (the Authorized Share Reduction”). The Company’s intention to effect both the Reverse Split and the Authorized Share Reduction were previously disclosed in a definitive information statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 13, 2017 and in a current report on Form 8-K filed on August 23, 2017. The amendment had an effective date and time of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on March 1, 2019 for stockholders of record on February 27, 2019.

  

Number of Securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants and rights

  

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

  

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation

plans (excluding

securities reflected in

column (a))

 
  

(a)

  

(b)

  

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  67,494  $5.012   110,840 
             

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  --  $    

Total

  67,494  $5.012   110,840 

 

4443

 

On August 27, 2019, at the Company’s Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company approved the Stock Incentive Plan of 2019 (the “2019 Plan”) at which time the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) was terminated and no future awards could be issued under the 2005 plan. As of December 31, 2022, 9,999 options were outstanding under the terminated 2005 Plan. All of these options were exercised in 2023.

The 2019 Plan is administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee and provides for 185,000 shares of common stock to be reserved for issuance under the Plan. Directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan provides for the awards of incentive and non-statutory stock options. The Compensation Committee determined the vesting schedule to be up to five years at the time of grant of any options under the Plan, and unexercised options will expire in up to ten years. The exercise price is to be equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of the common stock, as determined by the Compensation Committee, on the grant date. The fair value of stock options are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Our Board of Directors adopted a Policy and Procedure Governing Related Party Transactions on April 26, 2007, which policy delegates certain functions related to the review and approval of related party transactions to the audit committee and the compensation committee.

 

Pursuant to a management agreement with Empire Aviation, which is owned byWe had no transactions, since the childrenbeginning of our former Chief Executive Officerlast fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or are to be a participant and a former director, the Company incurred management feesamount involved exceeds the lesser of approximately $144,000 and $2,200,000 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is recorded in administrative expenses.  The Company and Empire Aviation have also contributed to the Helicopter Tourism and Jobs Council (“HTJC”), an association that lobbies on behalf$120,000 or one percent of the helicopter air tour industry, and which had engaged in discussions with the Mayor’s office. Mr. Goldstein, oneaverage of our directors, serves as deputy director of HTJC. Our former Chief Executive Officertotal assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years, and former director is also an active participant with HTJC,in which is managed by his grandson. 

On February 6, 2018, the Company was issuedany related person had or will have a note by one of its customers at the Heliport. The note scheduled approximately $750,000 in receivables payable by such customer, had a maturity date of October 31, 2018, and carried a 7.5% rate ofdirect or indirect material interest. As of December 31, 2019, all amounts due under the note have been paid. During the second quarter of 2018, our former Chief Executive Officer and former director acquired controlling interest in this customer.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board of Directors made the determination of director independence in accordance with the definition set forth in the Nasdaq Stock Market rules. Under such definition, Marc Chodock and Roy P. Moskowitz and Samuel Goldstein qualify as independent.

 

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant were approximately $101,900$101,500 and $97,100 by Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co. for 2020in both 2023 and 2019, respectively,2022 for the audits of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for those fiscal years.

 

Audit-Related Fees.There were feesno Audit-Related Fees billed for $18,000 for professional services categorized as Audit-Related Fees by the principal accountant for the fiscal yearyears ended December 31, 2020. There were no fees billed for the year ended2023 and December 31, 2019.2022.

 

Tax Fees. For both years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, the aggregate fees billed by the principal accountant for services categorized as Tax Fees were $15,000.

 

All Other Fees. There were no fees billed for services categorized as All Other Fees by the principal accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019.2022.

 

Audit Committee Policies and Procedures. The audit committee of the Board of Directors must pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for us by our independent registered public accountants, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act, which nonetheless must be approved by our audit committee prior to the completion of the audit. Each year the audit committee approves the engagement of our independent registered public accountant to audit our financial statements, including the associated fee, before the filing of the previous year’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the audit committee will evaluate other known potential engagements of the independent registered public accountants, including the scope of work proposed to be performed and the proposed fees, and approve or reject each service, taking into account whether the services are permissible under applicable law and the possible impact of each non-audit service on the independent registered public accountant’s independence from management. At each such subsequent meeting, the registered public accountants and management may present subsequent services for approval. Typically, these would be services such as due diligence for an acquisition, that would not have been known at the beginning of the year.

 

Since December 17, 2009 when our Board of Directors initially authorized the engagement of Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co., pursuant to the SEC rules stating that an auditor is not independent of an audit client if the services it provides to the client are not appropriately approved, each subsequent engagement of Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co, has been approved in advance by the audit committee of the Board of Directors, and none of these engagements made use of the de minimus exception to the pre-approval contained in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act.

 


44

 

Part VI

 

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

 

(a)

Financial Statements

 

The consolidated financial statements of Saker Aviation Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20202023 and 20192022 and for each of the years then ended, and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are included herein as shown in the “Table of Contents to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

 

(b)

Financial Statement Schedules

 

None.

 

 

(c)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

Description of Exhibit

  

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(i)(6) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2006.

  

3.2

Articles of Merger (Changing name to Saker Aviation Services, Inc.), incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2009.

  

3.3

Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Saker Aviation Services, Inc., incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 28, 2019.

  

3.4

Bylaws of Saker Aviation Services, Inc., incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2009.

  

4.1

Description of Securities, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

  

10.1+

Stock Option Plan of 2005, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10-18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

  

10.2

Concession Agreement between FirstFlight, Inc. and the City of New York by and through New York City of Department of Small Business Services, dated October 7, 2008, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 33.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

  

10.3+

2019 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2019.

  

10.4

Amendment to NYC Heliport Concession Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2016, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016.

  

10.5

Loan Agreements entered into by and between the Company and KeyBank, dated as of March 15, 2018, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2018.

45

10.6

Modified Loan Agreement entered into by and between the Company and KeyBank, dated as October 11, 2018, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

46

10.7+

10.7#EmploymentTemporary Use Authorization Agreement dated September 1, 2019, by and between FirstFlight Heliports, LLC and the CompanyCity of New York by and Ronald J. Ricciardi,through the New York City of Department of Small Business Services, effective as of May 1, 2023, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.110.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 6, 2019.May 4, 2023.

  
10.8#Interim Concession Agreement by and between FirstFlight Heliports, LLC and the City of New York by and through the New York City of Department of Small Business Services, commencing December 13, 2023, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2023.
21.1*Subsidiaries of Saker Aviation Services, Inc.

23.1*

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

  

31.1*

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act (principal financial officer).

  

31.2*

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act (principal executive officer).

  

32.1*

Certification pursuant to Section 1350 Certification of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  

 101.INS*

Inline  XBRL Instance Document

  

101.SCH*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  

101.CAL*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  

101.DEF*

Extension DefinitionInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Linkbase Document
  

101.LAB*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  

101.PRE*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*Filed herewith

# Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company will furnish a copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

+Management compensation plan or arrangement

 

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

None.

 

4746

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Saker Aviation Services, Inc.


 

  

Date: March 31, 2021April 1, 2024

By:  

/s/ Samuel Goldstein   

 

Samuel Goldstein

 

ActingPresident, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer

Date: March 31, 2021

By:  

/s/ Mark N. Raab

Mark N. Raab

ActingOfficer, Principal Financial Officer, and Acting Principal

Accounting Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

TITLE

DATE

    
  

Chairman of the Board, 

 

/s/ William B. Wachtel

 

DirectorChairman of the Board, 

        March 31, 2021April 1, 2024

William B. Wachtel

 Director  

    

/s/ Ronald J. RicciardiSamuel Goldstein

 

President, Chief Executive Officer,

Director

        March 31, 2021April 1, 2024

Ronald J. RicciardiSamuel Goldstein

 Director  
    

/s/ Marc Chodock

 

Director

        March 31, 2021April 1, 2024

Marc Chodock

   
    

/s/ Roy P. Moskowitz

 

Director

        March 31, 2021April 1, 2024

Roy P. Moskowitz

   
 

/s/ Samuel Goldstein

Acting Principal Executive Officer, Director

        March 31, 2021

Samuel Goldstein

 

4847