AerCap and Genesis Lease to Merge in an All Share Transaction
18 September 2009 - 1:08PM
PR Newswire (US)
Genesis' modern aircraft portfolio and strong generation of free
cash flow combined with AerCap's strong contracted growth with a
substantial order book of the most fuel-efficient, state-of-the-art
aircraft will create the world's leading independent aircraft
leasing company with total assets of approximately $8 billion
AMSTERDAM and SHANNON, Ireland, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
AerCap Holdings N.V. ("AerCap") (NYSE:AER) and Genesis Lease
Limited ("Genesis") (NYSE:GLS) today announced that their Boards of
Directors have approved a definitive agreement under which AerCap
and Genesis will merge in an all share-for-share transaction. Under
the terms of the amalgamation agreement, Genesis shareholders will
receive one AerCap ordinary share for every Genesis common share
they own. Genesis will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AerCap.
AerCap's CEO Klaus Heinemann and CFO Keith Helming will lead the
combined company, which will retain the name AerCap. Three
directors from Genesis will be nominated for election to the Board
of Directors of AerCap at an extraordinary general meeting of
AerCap shareholders to be called and held shortly after the
consummation of the transaction. Based on Genesis' balance sheet,
the transaction has a value of $1.75 billion and, based on the
closing stock price for AerCap Holdings N.V. ordinary shares on
Thursday, September 17, 2009, the share-for-share consideration has
a value of $8.81 per Genesis ADS (each ADS representing one Genesis
common share). The one-for-one exchange ratio represents an average
premium to Genesis shareholders of 45% based on the daily closing
prices of Genesis ADS and AerCap ordinary shares during the 30 day
trading period from July 31, 2009 to September 11, 2009. Upon
closing of the transaction, Genesis shareholders are expected to
own approximately 29% of the combined company. The transaction is
subject to approval by Genesis shareholders, satisfaction of
customary closing conditions and receipt of any necessary
regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the
fourth quarter of 2009. AerCap's CEO Klaus Heinemann commented,
"The merger of Genesis and AerCap enhances the cash generation of
the combined company in the current environment to pursue our
growth objectives and capitalize on opportunities as the market
recovers. Like AerCap, Genesis boasts the most modern,
fuel-efficient and in-high-demand jets that are fully financed and
on lease to a diverse operator base, including many new customers
not currently in the AerCap portfolio. The similarity of our
respective aircraft portfolios, combined with AerCap's substantial
order book, make this an attractive transaction for all
stakeholders. Following this transaction, AerCap will become the
leading independent franchise within the global aircraft leasing
sector, with 116 airline customers in 50 countries and a lease
portfolio currently valued at $6 billion, with another 83 aircraft
on order or under purchase contract." John McMahon, Chairman &
CEO of Genesis added, "Genesis' board and management are committed
to enhancing shareholder value. This transaction, through the solid
profitability and strong cash flows of Genesis, combined with
AerCap's scale and order book, which is nearly all placed, provides
our shareholders with a significant and immediate premium to recent
stock trading levels and positions them to participate in enhanced
earnings and business growth in the future." As part of the
agreement, GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), which has acted as
servicer for Genesis' portfolio, will continue to provide most
asset management services for the Genesis fleet in the near term.
GECAS has, however, agreed with AerCap a means to terminate early
the GECAS services at AerCap's option. Additionally, AerCap has
signed a letter of intent to purchase 13 aircraft from GECAS. The
purchase of two aircraft is expected to occur by the end of
September 2009 and the purchase of the remaining aircraft is
expected to take place after and is subject to the closing of the
transaction announced today. The combined company will have a total
fleet of 358 commercial aircraft and 83 engines that are either
owned, on order, under contract or letter of intent, or managed.
The average age of its owned aircraft fleet is 6.6 years. Advisors
Morgan Stanley and UBS acted as financial advisors and Milbank,
Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, NautaDutilh N.V., and Mello, Jones
& Martin as legal advisors to AerCap. Shared Value and Weber
Shandwick acted as communications advisors to AerCap. Citi acted as
financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Conyers Dill
& Pearman and Houthoff Buruma N.V. as legal advisors to
Genesis. KCSA Strategic Communications acted as communications
advisor to Genesis. Conference Call In connection with this
announcement, AerCap and Genesis will host a conference call today,
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm Central European Time / 1:30
pm Irish Time / 8:30 am Eastern Time. The call can be accessed live
by dialing 888-935-4575 (US/Canada - toll free) or +1-718-354-1387
(International) and referencing code 4656488 at least 5 minutes
before start time, or by visiting AerCap's website at
http://www.aercap.com/ or Genesis' website at
http://www.genesislease.com/ under "Investor Relations." The
presentation slides for the conference call will be posted on
AerCap's and Genesis' website in advance of the call. A replay of
the call will be available beginning at 12:00 pm Eastern Time on
September 18, 2009 and continuing through October 18, 2009. To
access the recording, call 866-932-5017 (US/Canada - toll free) or
+1-347-366-9565 (International) and enter passcode 4656488. The
replay will be archived in the "Investor Relations" section of
AerCap's and Genesis' website. About AerCap AerCap is an integrated
global aviation company with a leading market position in aircraft
and engine leasing, trading and parts sales. AerCap also provides
aircraft management services and performs aircraft maintenance,
repair and overhaul services and aircraft disassemblies. AerCap is
headquartered in The Netherlands and has offices in Ireland, the
United States, Singapore, China and the United Kingdom. About
Genesis Genesis is a global commercial aircraft leasing company
that is headquartered in Shannon, Ireland. Genesis acquires and
leases modern, operationally efficient passenger and cargo jet
aircraft to a diverse group of airlines throughout the world.
Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain certain
statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future
performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts
are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking
statements" provided by the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, such forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend,"
"estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or
"continue" or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or
similar terminology. All forward-looking statements included in
this press release are not statements of historical fact but are
based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
and may include projections of our future financial performance
based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our
business. These statements are only predictions based on our
current expectations and projections about future events. There are
important factors that could cause our actual results, level of
activity performance or achievements to differ materially from the
results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed
or implied in any forward-looking statements. As a result, there
can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements included in
this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. In light
of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future
performance or events described in any forward-looking statements
in this press release might not occur. Among the factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in
any forward looking statements are factors relating to satisfaction
of the conditions in the amalgamation agreement between AerCap and
Genesis, AerCap's ability to successfully combine the businesses of
AerCap and Genesis and to realize expected synergies from the
combination, and changes in global, political, economic, business,
competitive, market and regulatory forces, as well as those factors
described under the headings 'Risk Factors' in AerCap's and
Genesis' respective annual reports on Form 20 F for the year ended
December 31, 2008, as filed with the US Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). Copies of such annual reports on Form 20-F
are available online at http://www.sec.gov/ or on request from the
applicable company. Except for any obligation to disclose material
information under federal securities laws, AerCap and Genesis do
not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Accordingly, you should not rely upon
forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and
AerCap and Genesis do not assume any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking
statements. Additional Information About This Transaction In
connection with the proposed transaction, AerCap will file with the
SEC a Registration Statement on Form F-4 that will include a proxy
statement of Genesis and a prospectus of AerCap. Genesis will mail
the proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders. Genesis
investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus
(including all amendments and supplements to it) regarding the
proposed transaction when it becomes available because it will
contain important information. You may obtain copies of all
documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of
charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov/). These documents
may also be obtained free of charge from AerCap's website
(http://www.aercap.com/) under the heading "Investor Relations" and
then under the heading "SEC Filings" or by directing a request to
AerCap's Investor Relations at +31 20 655 9658. Copies of Genesis'
filings may be obtained free of charge from Genesis' website
(http://www.genesislease.com/) under the heading "Investor
Relations" and then under the heading "SEC Filings" or by directing
a request to Genesis' Investor Relations at +1-212-896-1249. This
press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be
any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Contact Information
Contacts for AerCap Contacts for Genesis For Investors: For
Investors and Media: Peter Wortel Jeffrey Goldberger Investor
Relations KCSA Worldwide +31 20 655 9658 +1.212.896.1249 For Media:
Frauke Oberdieck Marybeth Csaby Corporate Communications KCSA
Worldwide +31 20 655 9616 +1.212.896.1236 DATASOURCE: AerCap
Holdings N.V. CONTACT: Peter Wortel, Investor Relations, +31 20 655
9658, ; or Frauke Oberdieck, Corporate Communications, +31 20 655
9616, , both for AerCap; or Jeffrey Goldberger, +1-212-896-1249, ,
or Marybeth Csaby, +1-212-896-1236, , both of KCSA Worldwide for
Genesis Web Site: http://www.aercap.com/
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