SKAS Saker Aviation Services Inc (QB)

Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read together with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in this report. This Item 2 contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed throughout this report and include, but are not limited to, those set forth at the end of this Item 2 under the heading "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements." Additional factors are under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The terms “we”, “us”, and “our” are used below to refer collectively to the Company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

OVERVIEW

Saker Aviation 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, we operate in the aviation services segment of the general aviation industry, in which we serve as the operator of a 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 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 a fixed base operation (“FBO”) and a provider of aircraft maintenance and repair services (“MRO”) at the Garden City (Kansas) Regional Airport. FBOs provide ground-based services, such as fueling and 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 “New York Heliport”) commenced in November 2008 when we were awarded the Concession Agreement by the City of New York to operate the New York Heliport, which we assigned to our subsidiary, FirstFlight Heliports, LLC d/b/a Saker Aviation Services.

We believe the tourism industry 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. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a decline in travel and tourism related businesses and general economic conditions in the United States and significantly disrupted our business and operations in the year ended December 31, 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, as well as disrupted business operations in the United States and globally. Beginning in April 2022, sightseeing 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 of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the duration and spread and any future related travel advisories and restrictions and associated impact on overall demand for air travel.

REVENUE AND OPERATING RESULTS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 2, 2022, on October 31, 2022, the Company sold its subsidiary FBO and MRO operations of FBO Air-Garden City, Inc. (“GCK”) to Crosby Flying Services, LLC (”Crosby”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1.6 million. Crosby paid the purchase price on October 31, 2022 less $160,000 (the “Installment Payment”) which is to be paid in cash upon the first anniversary of the Closing Date. The Installment Payment is subject to GCK’s and the Company’s compliance with a Non-Compete agreement. GCK results of operations have been reported as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Comparison of Continuing Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022.

REVENUE

Revenue from continuing operations increased by 64.8 percent to $1,322,058 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared with corresponding prior-year period revenue of $802,409.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue from continuing operations associated with the sale of jet fuel and related items increased by 114.7 percent to approximately $338,000 as compared to approximately $158,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was largely attributable to higher volume of gallons of aviation gasoline sold at our New York location in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue from continuing operations associated with services and supply items increased by 49.4 percent to approximately $955,000 as compared to approximately $639,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was largely attributable to a higher demand for services at our New York location in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 all other revenue from continuing operations increased by 389.2 percent to approximately $29,000 as compared to approximately $6,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was largely attributable to an increase in non-aeronautical revenue generated at our New York location compared to the same period last year.

COST OF REVENUE

Total cost of revenue from continuing operations increased by 66.6 percent to $681,007 in the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $408,864 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was largely attributable to higher volume of gallons of jet fuel sold, as well as a higher demand for services, at our New York location.

GROSS PROFIT

Total gross profit from continuing operations increased by 62.9 percent to $641,051 in the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2022. Gross profit was positively impacted by the items previously discussed. Gross margin was 48.5 percent in the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to 49.0 percent in the same period in the prior year.

OPERATING EXPENSE

Selling, General and Administrative

Total selling, general and administrative expenses, (“SG&A”), from continuing operations were $741,781 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing an increase of $200,431 or 37.0 percent, as compared to the same period in 2022.

SG&A from continuing operations associated with our aviation services operation were approximately $532,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing an increase of approximately $117,000, or 28.3 percent, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. SG&A from operations associated with our aviation services operation, as a percentage of revenue, was 40.2 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared with 51.7 percent in the corresponding prior year period. The increased operating expenses were largely attributable to increased costs related to the higher levels of activity at our New York location. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of revenue is largely attributable to our fixed costs as a percentage relative to higher levels of activity at our New York location.

Corporate SG&A from continuing operations was approximately $209,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing an increase of approximately $83,000 as compared with the corresponding prior year period. The increased corporate expenses were primarily attributable to an increase in services provided by various service providers.

OPERATING LOSS

Operating loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $(100,730) as compared to operating loss of $(147,805) in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in operating loss was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit from our New York location offset by increased SG&A expenses.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization was $4,216 and $33,090 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.

Bad Debt Recovery

Bad Debt Recovery for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $0 as compared to $100,000 in the same period in 2022.

Income Tax

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss from continuing operations was $(100,730) and $(47,805) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to the benefit of Bad Debt Recovery of $100,000 recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $(0.10) and $(0.03), respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of March 31, 2023, we had cash and restricted cash of $6,148,925 and a working capital surplus of $5,668,649. We generated revenue from continuing operations of $1,322,058 and had a net loss of $(100,730) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash flows included a net cash and cash provided by operating activities of $171,768.

On March 15, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement for a $1,000,000 revolving line of credit (the “Key Bank Revolver Note”) which, at the discretion of the Bank, provides for the Company to borrow up to $1,000,000 for working capital and general corporate purposes. 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 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. There were no amounts due under the Key Bank Revolver Note at March 31, 2023 or 2022.

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 New York 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 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.

As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on 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 New York 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

Additionally, since June 1, 2016, the Company has 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 New York 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 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 through April 30, 2023 by the City’s exercise of both one-year option renewals and expired on that date.

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 New York Heliport, Empire Aviation. The Company incurred management fees with Empire Aviation of approximately $246,000 and $123,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Empire Aviation notified the Company that it believes additional fees are due under the management agreement with the New York Heliport for both 2021 and 2020. If the Company is unable to come to an agreement with Empire Aviation regarding amounts due under the agreement, the Company could incur additional expense as disclosed in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During the program year that began on May 1, 2020, 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 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 to continue paying fees due under the Concession Agreement through the remainder of the Air Tour Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred approximately $343,000 and $249,000 in concession fees, respectively, which are recorded in the cost 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 New York 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 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 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 New York Heliport and collect all revenue derived from the New York Heliport operations. In addition to terminations for an event of default, the Use Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Commissioner of the DSBS or suspended at any time by the NYCEDC. The Company is required under the Use Agreement to remit a monthly administrative fee to the NYCEDC in the amount of $5,000. The Company expects that the NYCEDC will conduct a request for proposal for a new concession agreement to govern the operation of the New York Heliport. The Company is in negotiations with the NYCEDC regarding an additional agreement that will govern its use of the New York Heliport while the RFP process is ongoing, which it expects will clarify the economic relationship between the parties, including additional fees for the Company’s operation of the New York Heliport.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had a net increase in cash of $171,768. Our sources and uses of funds during this period were as follows:

Cash from Operating Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $171,768. This amount included a decrease in operating cash related to net loss of $(100,730) and additions for the following items: (i) depreciation and amortization, $4,216; (ii) stock based compensation, $25,500; (iii) accounts receivable, trade, $42,316; (iv) inventory, $10,779; (v) prepaid expenses, $139,844; and (vi) accounts payable, $52,667. These increases in operating activities were offset by a decrease in accrued expenses of $2,824.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $662,099. This amount included a decrease in operating cash related to net loss of $(31,152) and additions for the following items: (i) depreciation and amortization, $33,090; (ii) stock based compensation, $11,499; (iii) accounts receivable, trade, $14,393; (iv) prepaid expenses, $295,036; (v) customer deposits, $100,000; and (vi) accounts payable, $283,987. These increases in operating activities were offset by a decrease in inventories of $38,064 and accrued expenses of $6,690.

Cash from Financing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, there was no cash used in, or provided by, financing activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net cash of $14,676 was used in financing activities for the payment of notes payable of $3,483 and the payment of right of use leases of $11,193.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this report may contain information that includes or is based upon "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. These forward-looking statements represent management's current judgment and assumptions, and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements are frequently accompanied by the use of such words as "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "expects," and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, those relating to:

Any one of these or other risks, uncertainties, other factors, or any inaccurate assumptions made by the Company may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein or elsewhere by us. Undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. Certain of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors are described in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in other filings we make with the SEC. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above and elsewhere in our reports filed with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.