Nicolas Finazzo, AerSale’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As noted in our first quarter report, second quarter volume was meaningfully lower than the second quarter of 2022. This is entirely the result of fewer flight equipment sales, which fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. Commercial demand was strong during the period and our core business has continued to grow with greater demand for used serviceable material (“USM”) and our maintenance, repair and overhaul (“MRO”) offerings.”
Finazzo added, “We are reducing full-year expectations for our 757 program, as the freight market has softened in response to higher interest rates and tightening economic conditions, which have eased demand for consumer products. This adds some uncertainty to the timing and type of monetization of these assets, as we deploy this feedstock to the highest potential rate of return using our multi-dimensional value extraction model, which includes flight equipment sales, lease, and USM.
Looking forward, we anticipate the second quarter to be the trough quarter as we begin to see the benefits of the robust feedstock already purchased or in the pipeline exceeding $200 million year-to-date, the monetization of post-conversion 757s, and the FAA Supplemental Type Certification (“STC”) of AerAware, our Enhanced Flight Vision System for the Boeing 737NG series of aircraft.”
Asset Management Solutions (“Asset Management") revenue decreased to $37.1 million during the second quarter of 2023 compared to $114.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, because of the pacing of flight equipment sales mentioned above. USM revenue was up from the year-ago quarter fueled by growth in demand and availability of feedstock, while leasing revenue fell due to the planned reduction of the aircraft leasing portfolio.
TechOps revenue increased 28.7% to $32.3 million in the second quarter of 2023 from $25.1 million in the second quarter of 2022 primarily owing to growth in revenue generated by AerSale’s Goodyear, Arizona on-airport MRO facility from additional capacity dedicated to customer aircraft, as well as higher revenue from component MROs.
Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2023 was $(0.5) million compared to $41.1 million in the second quarter of 2022. The decline in adjusted EBITDA is largely attributable to lower flight equipment sales, and no aircraft sales during the period. Please see the non-GAAP reconciliation table at the end of this press release for additional details on adjusted EBITDA.
Cash used in operating activities was $129.2 million as a result of increased investments in feedstock that should drive earnings growth in the second half of 2023. AerSale ended the quarter with $34.6 million in cash and has an undrawn revolving credit facility which was recently renewed for a five-year term, upsized to $180 million and expandable to $200 million.
Update on AerAware
AerSale is in the final stage of the FAA’s certification of AerAware, which involves the completion of five sets of flight tests. Flight testing began in February, and AerSale has passed four of the five sets. The fifth set of flight tests is to demonstrate the reliability of the system. During the first four sets, the FAA proposed several adjustments and enhancements to the system, which the Company has now successfully incorporated. This demonstration has been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing August 14th or August 21st, subject to final paperwork and weather, with the fifth set of flight tests to begin immediately thereafter. The final set of flight testing is expected to be completed in approximately one week, and upon successful completion, it is typical to receive an STC within 30 days.
Second Quarter 2023 Results of Operations
AerSale reported revenue of $69.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, which included $13.3 million of flight equipment sales comprising of only four engines and no aircraft. The Company’s revenue for the second quarter of 2022 was $139.6 million and included $92.5 million of flight equipment sales consisting of three aircraft and three engines, which included two AerSale converted Boeing 757 freighter aircraft and a Boeing 747 freighter. Investors should note that the first quarter of 2022 had also experienced record flight equipment sales of $75.9 million. Flight equipment sales may significantly vary quarter-to-quarter and AerSale believes the full-year analysis, rather than year-over-year quarterly comparisons, is a more appropriate measurement of the