Question

Suppose BMI Regional is considering the purchase of new airplanes to facilitate operation of new routes. In total, it plans to purchase a new airline fleet for $3.0 million. This fleet will qualify for accelerated depreciation: 20% can be expensed immediately, followed by 32%, 19.2%, 11.52%, 11.52%, and 5.76% over the next five years. However, because of the airlines’s substantial loss carryforwards, BMI Regional estimates its marginal tax rate to be 10% over the next five years, so it will get very little tax benefit from the depreciation expenses. Thus BMI Regional considers leasing the airplanes instead. Suppose BMI Regional and the lessor face the same 4.0% borrowing rate, but the lessor has a 40% tax rate. For the purpose of this question, assume the fleet will be worthless after 5 years, the lease term is 5 years, and the lease qualifies as a true tax lease.

(a) What is the pre-tax lease rate for which the lessor will break even?

The lease rate is _______$. (round to $ million, three decimals, don't enter minus)

(b) What is the free cash flow of the lease for BMI Regional?

The FCF of the lease is __________$. (round to $ million, three decimals, don't enter minus)

(c) What is the NPV(lease-buy) for BMI Regional with this lease rate?

The NPV(lease-buy) is _____________$. (round to $ million, three decimals, if result negative, use minus sign)

(d) Should BMI Regional lease or buy?

BMI Regional should __________. (fill in "lease" or "buy")

Answer 1