| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Basis of Presentation Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is acquiring, leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft. On March 27, 2020, the Company successfully completed its merger (the “Merger”) and is now controlled by affiliates of Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Leasing Company, Limited (“Mizuho Leasing”). As previously disclosed, on September 30, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed to change the Company’s fiscal year end to the twelve-month period ending on the last day in February. This change better aligns the Company’s financial reporting period with the financial reporting cycle of its shareholders, Marubeni Corporation and Mizuho Leasing. Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company manages, analyzes and reports on its business and results of operations based on one operating segment: leasing, financing, selling and managing commercial flight equipment. Our Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. However, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as amended, and the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-Q for the two months ended February 29, 2020. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASC 326”). The standard applies to entities holding financial assets and net investments in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The standard affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. Net investment in leases comprised the Company’s financial asset principally affected by the standard. Operating lease receivables are not within the scope of ASC 326. Upon the Company’s adoption of ASC 326, our net investment in leases was recorded in the consolidated financial statements net of an allowance for credit losses. This allowance for credit losses reflects the Company’s estimate of lessee default probabilities and loss given default percentages. The estimate of expected credit losses considers relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of reported amounts. Our allowance also considers the potential loss due to non-credit risk related to unguaranteed residual values. We adopted the standard using the “modified retrospective” approach with a January 1, 2020 adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted, the FASB Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The standard modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the FASB ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. The standard requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use-software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the FASB ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810), Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities . The standard changes how all entities evaluate decision-making fees under the variable interest entity guidance. The standard is applied retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures. The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure subsequent to the balance sheet date of November 30, 2020, through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates two Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding: (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE; (b) who the variable interest holders are; (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders; and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider: (1) the entity’s purpose and design; (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Lease Revenue Recognition We lease flight equipment under net operating leases with lease terms typically ranging from three to seven years. We generally do not offer renewal terms or purchase options in our leases, although certain of our operating leases allow the lessee the option to extend the lease for an additional term. Operating leases with fixed rentals and step rentals are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the initial lease, assuming no renewals. Operating lease rentals that adjust based on a London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) index are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term using the prevailing rate at lease commencement. Changes to rate-based lease rentals are recognized in the statements of income (loss) in the period of change. In certain instances, we may provide lease concessions to customers, generally in the form of lease rental deferrals. While these deferral arrangements affect the timing of lease rental payments, the total amount of lease rental payments required over the lease term is generally the same as that which was required under the original lease agreement. We account for the deferrals as if no modifications to the lease agreements were made and record the deferred rentals as a receivable within Other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. If we determine that the collectability of rental payments is no longer probable (including any deferral thereof), we recognize lease rental revenue using a cash basis of accounting rather than an accrual method. In the period we conclude that collection of lease payments is no longer probable, we recognize any difference between revenue amounts recognized to date under the accrual method and payments that have been collected from the lessee, including security deposit amounts held, as a current period adjustment to lease rental revenue. The COVID-19 virus has had an unprecedented negative impact on the global economy, and in particular on the aviation sector. As a result of COVID-19, there has been a dramatic slowdown in air traffic, with many markets in near complete shutdown. According to the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”), as of November 2020, air travel was down to approximately 34% of normal levels and a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is not expected for several years. Substantially all the world’s airlines are experiencing financial difficulties and liquidity challenges. While we believe the long-term demand for air travel will return to historical trends over time, the near-term impacts of the COVID-19 virus’ economic shock are material; the extent and duration of which cannot currently be determined. Airlines have been seeking to preserve liquidity through a combination of requesting government support, raising debt and equity, delaying or canceling new aircraft orders, furloughing employees, as well as requesting deferrals from lessors. We have agreed to defer near-term lease payments with certain of our airline customers, which they are obliged to repay over time. As of January 8, 2021, we have agreed to defer approximately $101,000 in near-term lease payments, including $76,460 that appear in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as components of Accounts receivable, Net investment in leases, or Other assets as of November 30, 2020. This represents approximately 15% of Lease rental and Direct financing and sales-type lease revenues for the twelve months ended November 30, 2020. Deferrals have been agreed to with 37 airlines, representing 46% of our customer base, and for an average deferral of five months of lease rentals. In certain situations, we have agreed to broader restructurings of contractual terms, for example obtaining better security packages, term extensions, or other valuable considerations in exchange for short-term economic concessions. I f air traffic remains depressed over an extended period and if our customers are unable to obtain sufficient funds from private, governmental or other sources, we may need to grant additional deferrals to our customers or extend the periods of repayment for deferrals we have already made. We may ultimately not be able to collect all the amounts we have deferred. As of January 8, 2021, seven of our customers are subject to judicial insolvency proceedings or similar protection. We lease 22 aircraft to these customers, which comprise 13% of our net book value of flight equipment (including Flight equipment held for lease and Net investment in leases) and 11% of our Lease rental and direct financing and sales-type lease revenue as of and for the twelve months ended November 30, 2020. One of these customers is LATAM, our second largest customer, which represents 7% of our net book value of flight equipment and 6% of our Lease rental revenue as of and for the twelve months ended November 30, 2020. Based on historic experience, the judicial process can take anywhere from twelve months to eighteen months to be resolved. We are actively engaged in the various judicial proceedings to protect our economic interests. As a result of these proceedings, the recognition of lease rental revenue for certain customers may be done on a cash basis of accounting rather than the accrual method depending on the customers lease security arrangements. Impairment of Flight Equipment We perform a recoverability assessment of all aircraft in our fleet, on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis annually during the second quarter. In addition, a recoverability assessment is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances, or indicators, suggest that the carrying amount or net book value of an asset may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, significant change in aircraft model’s storage levels, the introduction of newer technology aircraft or engines, an aircraft type is no longer in production or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. When we perform a recoverability assessment, we measure whether the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the aircraft exceed its net book value. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted lease rental and maintenance payments, future projected lease rates, transition costs, estimated down time, estimated residual or scrap values for an aircraft, economic conditions and other factors. In the event that an aircraft does not meet the recoverability test, the aircraft will be adjusted to fair value, resulting in an impairment charge. See Note 2 – Fair Value Measurements. Management develops the assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are impacted by changes in future periods due to changes in projected lease rental and maintenance payments, residual values, economic conditions, technology, airline demand for a particular aircraft type and other factors. We are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our customers, air traffic, lease rental rates, and aircraft valuations, and will perform additional customer and aircraft specific reviews should changes in facts and circumstances arise that may impact the recoverability of our aircraft. We will focus on our customers that have entered judicial insolvency proceedings and any additional customers that may become subject to similar-type proceedings, aircraft with near-term lease expirations, and certain aircraft variants that are more susceptible to the impact of COVID-19 and value deteriorations. Net Investment in Leases If a lease meets specific criteria at lease commencement or at the effective date of a lease modification, we recognize the lease as a direct financing or sales-type lease. The net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases consists of the lease receivable, estimated unguaranteed residual value of the lease flight equipment at lease-end and, for direct financing leases, deferred selling profit. For sales-type leases, we recognize the difference between the net book value of the aircraft and the net investment in the lease as a gain or loss on sale of flight equipment. Selling profit on a direct financing lease is deferred and amortized over the lease term, and a selling loss is recognized at lease commencement. Interest income on our net investment in leases is recognized as Direct financing and sales-type leases revenue over the lease term in a manner that produces a constant rate of return on the net investment in the lease. The net investment in leases is recorded in the consolidated financial statements net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is recorded upon the initial recognition of the net investment in the lease based on the Company’s estimate of expected credit losses over the lease term. The allowance reflects the Company’s estimate of lessee default probabilities and loss given default percentages. When determining the credit loss allowance, we consider relevant information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the net investment in the lease. The allowance also considers potential losses due to non-credit risk related to unguaranteed residual values. A provision for credit losses is recorded as a component of Selling, general, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) to adjust the allowance for changes to management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting . The standard applies to entities that have contracts, such as debt agreements, lease agreements or derivative instruments, which reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. Entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements for contract modifications that replace a reference rate affected by reference rate reform. If elected, such contracts are accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract and no reassessments or re-measurements are required. The standard is effective for all entities from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and does not apply to contract modifications made after December 31, 2022. We have not adopted ASC 848 for this interim period and are currently evaluating the election available to us under the standard and the impact it may have on our financial statements. In April 2020, the FASB Staff issued a question-and-answer document (the “Q&A”) regarding accounting for lease concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Q&A provides that entities may elect to apply or not apply the lease modification guidance in ASC 842, “Leases”, for lease concessions provided by lessors as a result of the |
