AAR Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2005 Results

• Fourth quarter sales growth of 19% and income up 119%
• Annual sales growth of 16% and increase in income of 307%
• Record cash flow from operations of $51 million for the year
• Annual commercial aviation sales growth of 26%
• 47% annual sales growth in Asia; 34% in Europe

WOOD DALE, Ill., /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR) today reported fourth quarter net sales from continuing operations of $209.9 million and income from continuing operations of $5.8 million or $0.17 per diluted share. For the fourth quarter of last year, the Company reported net sales from continuing operations of $176.8 million and income from continuing operations of $2.7 million or $0.08 per diluted share. The sales growth of 19% was fueled by increases in the Company's Inventory and Logistic Services and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul segments. Higher sales and margin improvements at several of the Company's operating units drove the 119% growth in income from continuing operations.

Fourth quarter net income included: a $2.6 million pre-tax gain on extinguishment of debt related to an aircraft debt restructuring; $1.8 million of pre-tax expenses related to stock option exercises and changes in retirement benefit plans; and a $0.9 million pre-tax charge related to the write down of an aircraft as a result of a renegotiated lease with an airline customer operating under bankruptcy protection. Combined, these special items resulted in a $0.1 million impact to fourth quarter results. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 26%, reflecting the reduced benefit of certain tax credits.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2005, the Company reported net sales from continuing operations of $747.8 million and income from continuing operations of $18.6 million or $0.55 per diluted share. In fiscal year 2004, net sales from continuing operations were $644.5 million, and income from continuing operations was $4.6 million or $0.14 per diluted share. This represents net sales and income from continuing operations growth for the year of 16% and 307%, respectively.

"During fiscal 2005 we saw an uptick in activity and took steps to position the Company for long-term growth in the changing aviation environment," said David P. Storch, President and CEO of AAR. "Our expanded MRO capability in Indianapolis, recently-awarded commercial and defense supply chain programs and newly-introduced engineered products should positively impact our results in future periods. However, in the near term, we remain cautious in light of the impact of high fuel costs on our airline customers and their already precarious financial condition."

Sales in the Inventory and Logistic Services segment increased 44% in the fourth quarter over the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to the continuing recovery in the worldwide commercial aviation market and the ramp up of new supply chain programs.

In the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul segment, sales grew 13% in the fourth quarter compared to last year. The commencement of sales activity at the Company's Indianapolis maintenance facility and increased volume in the aircraft component and landing gear businesses were the main growth drivers for this segment. Operations at the Indianapolis facility began in earnest during the fourth quarter following AAR's selection by United Airlines to be the exclusive maintenance provider for its fleet of 737 aircraft.

Sales to Asian and European customers continued to be strong, growing at 52% and 37%, respectively, in the fourth quarter and were up 47% and 34%, respectively, for the year. AAR's business in Asia benefited from expansion in the region, including recently-opened sales offices in Tokyo and Shanghai. Sales in Europe also increased as the Company introduced new and expanded inventory support programs. Company-wide, sales to commercial aviation customers increased 33% for the quarter and 26% for the year.

Gross profit margins increased 110 basis points to 16.7% in the fourth quarter versus the prior year. For the year, gross profit margins increased to 16.2% from 15.6%. Even though operating expenses increased during the quarter as AAR brought the Indianapolis facility on line and expanded its reach geographically, selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of sales decreased from 12.5% to 11.8% for the year. The Company also incurred costs associated with implementing a new retirement plan that is portable, provides investment flexibility for the employees and relieves the Company of the long-term and unpredictable burdens of a defined benefit plan.

AAR generated $23 million of cash from operations during the fourth quarter and $51 million during the year. In addition, total recourse debt decreased by $18 million during the year. The Company achieved improvements in inventory turns from 2.0x to 2.4x and working capital turnover from 3.1x to 3.3x on a year-over-year basis.

Other Significant Events in Fiscal 2005

Commercial Aviation Market

Signed agreements with Brit Air and Regional to provide component services
Signed an agreement to provide Mesa Air Group with a supply chain solution
Developed a parts exchange pool in Hong Kong
Formed a joint venture with AIROD in Malaysia for landing gear services
Signed an agreement with Malaysia Airlines for repair and maintenance of landing gear
Awarded an agreement by CanJet for component inventory and maintenance services
Entered into a multi year supply agreement with Chromalloy

Government Services Market

Awarded a contract for U.S. Navy C-40A logistical support
Selected by U.S. Air Force for repair of certain F100 engine components operating on Air Force F-15 and F-16 aircraft
Chosen to provide cargo systems for the new C-27J Military Transport Aircraft

Other

Earned the FAA's Diamond Certificate of Excellence and 100% Participation Awards for maintenance technician training at all 15 of AAR's certified repair stations

Significant Subsequent Events

Subsequent to fiscal 2005 year end, AAR was awarded significant programs that increase the Company's backlog position considerably. The United States Air Force (USAF) selected AAR to supply and repair specialty pallets. This contract covers an initial one-year term with an estimated value of $23.7 million and four one-year renewal options. Work on this contract commences immediately. In addition, AAR's Cargo Systems unit was selected to provide cargo handling systems for the new Airbus A400M Military Transport Aircraft as a subcontractor to Pfalz Flugzeugwerke GmbH (PFW) of Speyer, Germany. AAR's share of the revenue, including systems and spare parts, is expected to exceed $300 million over the contract period, and deliveries are expected to begin toward the end of AAR's fiscal 2007.

Operating Segment Realignment

As the Company positions itself for the future, it is aligning its businesses to maximize revenues and to increase its market share. The change of the names and composition of the business segments will be incorporated in the Company's fiscal year 2005 Form 10-K. The new segments are as follows: Aviation Supply Chain; Structures and Systems; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO); and Aircraft Sales and Leasing.

The Aviation Supply Chain segment includes the component supply and repair businesses under one combined organization, presenting the marketplace with end-to-end supply chain products across a broad range of commercial and defense aircraft platforms. In this segment, AAR combines its supply, repair, redistribution, information technology and logistics skills to support large and regional airlines, maintenance organizations and government and defense agencies. This segment is led by Jim Clark, a 23-year veteran of AAR. Jim has progressed to his current position after leading our European-based component repair business for five years.

The Structures and Systems segment primarily includes our specialized mobility products, cargo systems, and composites businesses. This group designs, engineers and produces a variety of systems and components for aircraft and non-aircraft applications. As AAR continues to develop products for more platforms and capture market share, it sees numerous opportunities to grow after-sales support and expand services to our customers.

The MRO segment includes the aircraft maintenance and landing gear services businesses. Adding the Indianapolis Maintenance Center (IMC) capability to the existing Oklahoma City operation allows AAR to provide a more complete MRO service offering. The IMC was designed to provide for the best turn times available anywhere in the world. Since operations commenced earlier in the year, four out of the first five "C" checks were completed in three days, and the fifth missed by one shift. The Company also expects to gain market share in the landing gear services market as its joint venture in Malaysia becomes operational in the second quarter of fiscal year 2006. The Structures and Systems and MRO segments are led by Mark McDonald. Mark has been in various leadership positions at AAR since joining the Company in 1996. Prior to AAR, he was with General Electric for 12 years.

The Aircraft Sales and Leasing segment leases and manages aircraft for its own account and in partnership with others. During fiscal 2005 the Company added aircraft to its portfolio in two partnerships and has identified additional aircraft which it expects to add to its portfolio in the coming months. Combining AAR's extensive MRO and supply chain capabilities allows the Company to offer unique solutions to airline customers as they look to reposition aircraft. John Johnson leads our Aircraft Group. John is a successful entrepreneur who joined AAR over a year ago.

Attached is a schedule showing sales by current business segment as well as sales by new business segment for the three month and twelve month periods ending May 31, 2005 and May 31, 2004.

AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aviation/aerospace industry. Products and services include: aviation supply chain and parts support programs; maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft and landing gear; design and manufacture of composite structures and specialized mobility and cargo systems; and aircraft sales and leasing. Headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR serves commercial and government aircraft fleet operators, original equipment manufacturers and independent service customers around the world. AAR recently earned special recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration for receiving the FAA's Diamond Award of Excellence at each of its 15 certified repair stations. More information can be found at http://www.aarcorp.com.

AAR will hold its quarterly conference call at 10:30 a.m. CDT on July 13, 2005. The conference call can be accessed via dial-in (1-866-244-4616). A replay of the call will be available (1-888-266-2081; access code 726195) from approximately 2:30 p.m. CDT on July 13, 2005 until 11:59 p.m. CDT on July 20, 2005.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 7, entitled "Factors Which May Affect Future Results", included in the Company's May 31, 2004 Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AAR CORP. and Subsidiaries


    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In thousands except per share data)

                             Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                                   May 31,                    May 31,
                               2005         2004         2005         2004
    Sales                  $ 209,926    $ 176,835    $ 747,848    $ 644,469
    Cost and expenses:
      Cost of sales          174,832      149,321      627,022      543,851
      Selling, general
       and administrative     26,442       21,662       87,902       80,552

    Equity in earnings of
     joint ventures              362          135          568          215

    Operating income           9,014        5,987       33,492       20,281

    Gain on extinguishment
     of debt                   2,567          ---        3,562          ---

    Interest expense           4,062        4,394       16,917       18,691
    Interest income              399          548        1,502        1,748

    Income from continuing
     operations before
     income taxes              7,918        2,141       21,639        3,338

    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                 2,090         (521)       3,067       (1,227)

    Income from continuing
     operations                5,828        2,662       18,572        4,565

    Discontinued operations:
      Operating loss, net
       of tax                    ---          (90)        (798)      (1,061)
      Loss on disposal, net
       of tax                    (95)         ---       (2,321)         ---
    Loss from discontinued
     operations                  (95)         (90)      (3,119)      (1,061)

    Net income               $ 5,733      $ 2,572     $ 15,453      $ 3,504

    Share Data:

    Earnings (loss) per share
     - Basic:
      Earnings from
       continuing
       operations             $ 0.18       $ 0.08       $ 0.58       $ 0.14
      Loss from discontinued
       operations                ---          ---        (0.10)       (0.03)
      Earnings per share
       - Basic                $ 0.18       $ 0.08       $ 0.48       $ 0.11

    Earnings (loss) per share
      - Diluted
      Earnings from continuing
       operations             $ 0.17       $ 0.08       $ 0.55       $ 0.14
      Loss from discontinued
       operations                ---          ---        (0.09)       (0.03)
      Earnings per share
       - Diluted              $ 0.17        $0.08       $ 0.46       $ 0.11

    Average shares
     outstanding - Basic      32,439       32,245       32,297       32,111
    Average shares
     outstanding - Diluted    36,410       36,673       36,205       33,737


    Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights
    (In thousands except per share data)
                                                      May 31,        May 31,
                                                       2005           2004
    Cash and cash equivalents                       $ 50,338       $ 41,010
    Current assets                                   474,542        432,204
    Current maturities of recourse LTD                 2,123          2,656
    Current liabilities (excluding debt accounts)    156,280        127,869
    Net property, plant and equipment                 71,474         81,866
    Total assets                                     732,230        709,292
    Recourse long-term debt                          199,919        217,434
    Total recourse debt                              202,042        220,090
    Total non-recourse debt                           28,862         31,968
    Stockholders' equity                             314,744        301,684
    Book value per share                            $   9.70       $   9.36
    Shares outstanding                                32,440         32,245


    Sales By Business Segment - Current
    (In thousands)
                             Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                  May 31,                  May 31,
                             2005         2004        2005         2004
    Inventory & Logistic
     Services             $ 88,869     $ 61,816    $ 289,697    $ 253,958
    Maintenance, Repair
     and Overhaul           65,233       57,820      214,254      208,994
    Manufacturing           50,228       50,098      193,297      151,310
    Aircraft & Engine
     Sales & Leasing         5,596        7,101       50,600       30,207
                         $ 209,926    $ 176,835    $ 747,848    $ 644,469


    Sales By Business Segment - New
    (In thousands)
                           Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                                  May 31,                   May 31,
                             2005         2004         2005         2004
    Aviation Supply
     Chain               $ 115,419     $ 86,247    $ 390,060    $ 349,527
    Maintenance, Repair
     and Overhaul           36,680       31,502      111,932      106,416
    Structures and Systems  53,303       53,334      200,717      163,557
    Aircraft Sales and
     Leasing                 4,524        5,752       45,139       24,969
                         $ 209,926    $ 176,835    $ 747,848    $ 644,469


    Diluted Earnings Per Share Calculation
    (In thousands except per share data)

                             Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                   May 31,                  May 31,
                              2005        2004         2005         2004

    Net income as reported $ 5,733      $ 2,572     $ 15,453      $ 3,504
    Add: After-tax interest
     on convertible debt       306          342        1,230          449
    Net income for diluted
     EPS calculation       $ 6,039      $ 2,914     $ 16,683      $ 3,953

    Basic shares
     outstanding            32,439       32,245       32,297       32,111
    Additional shares due to:
    Assumed exercise of
     stock options             367          394          304          281
    Assumed conversion of
     convertible debt        3,604        4,034        3,604        1,345
    Diluted shares
     outstanding            36,410       36,673       36,205       33,737

    Diluted earnings per
     share                 $  0.17      $  0.08     $   0.46      $  0.11

SOURCE AAR CORP.

Timothy J. Romenesko, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of AAR, +1-630-227-2090, tromenesko@aarcorp.com