Genesis Lease Limited Announces First Quarter 2009 Results and Declares Dividend On Its Common Shares


SHANNON, Ireland, April 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genesis Lease Limited (NYSE:GLS) ("Genesis") today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Highlights included:



    *  EPS increased 3.7% to $0.28
    *  EBITDA increased 7.1% to $51.4 million
    *  Repurchased $15.0 million of securitization notes,
       recording a gain of $6.2 million
    *  Declared quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share

Commenting on the first quarter results and dividend, John McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of Genesis stated: "Our globally diversified portfolio of in-demand aircraft delivered solid cash flows and profitability during the first quarter despite the effects of the worldwide economic downturn. In addition, we took advantage of opportunities in the debt trading markets to repurchase $15 million of our securitization notes at a substantial discount."

Mr. McMahon continued, "Genesis has a healthy financial position with substantial cash resources, significant levels of available credit and no immediate refinancing requirements. In addition, our servicer, GE Commercial Aviation Services ("GECAS"), expects to deliver our four non-revenue generating aircraft to new customers in the second quarter."

First Quarter 2009 financial results

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, rental revenues were $50.8 million, compared to $54.1 million for the same period in 2008, a decrease of 6.0%. In total, four aircraft remained non-revenue generating for the full quarter following the termination of their leases during 2008. This downtime resulted in foregone rental revenues of approximately $4.5 million during the quarter. Rental revenues from floating-rate leases also declined due to lower interest rates during 2009. The decline was partly offset by rental revenues from one aircraft acquired during the second quarter of 2008.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, net income was $9.6 million, compared to $9.9 million for the same period last year, a decrease of 3.0%. The results include an adverse incremental impact of $2.7 million due to the termination of leases, which reflects foregone rental revenues of $4.5 million in 2009, compared to a charge of $1.8 million that the Company recorded in the first quarter of 2008 following the termination of two leases. The results also reflect an increase in depreciation of $2.1 million related to planned major maintenance costs and an increase of $0.8 million with respect to the amortization of deferred financing costs and commitment fees in connection with Genesis's $1 billion revolving credit facility. The adverse impact of these items was offset by a gain of $6.2 million related to the repurchase of securitization notes.

All amounts referenced above as included in the results are on a pre-tax basis.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, EBITDA was $51.4 million, compared to $48.0 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 7.1%. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, EBITDA includes a gain of $6.2 million related to the repurchase of securitization notes. Genesis defines EBITDA as net income before provision for income taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a key measure of Genesis's operating performance and liquidity that management uses to focus on consolidated operating results exclusive of expenses that relate to the financing and capitalization of its business. Please read "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure - EBITDA" for a description of EBITDA and a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA.

Accounts payable increased during the quarter by $5.4 million to $40.8 million as of March 31, 2009. This increase was primarily due to the increase in capitalized maintenance accruals relating to planned major maintenance costs. Other liabilities of $118.8 million as at March 31, 2009 include $83.7 million relating to the fair value of interest rate swaps.

Aircraft Leasing Activities

As at March 31, 2009, Genesis had 54 aircraft with a weighted average age of 6.9 years. Of the 54 aircraft, 50 are in operation with 34 airlines in 19 countries. Four aircraft were non-revenue generating during the first quarter. These four aircraft are expected to deliver to new customers during the second quarter of 2009.

Dividends

On April 28, 2009, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.10 per share, which will be paid on June 16, 2009 to shareholders of record on May 12, 2009.

Debt Repurchases

During the first quarter, Genesis repurchased $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of securitization notes for a total price of $8.3 million, including transaction costs. The repurchases generated a gain of $6.2 million for the quarter, recorded under Other Income, after the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $0.5 million relating to repurchased notes.

GLS-F

About Genesis Lease Limited

Genesis Lease Limited 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. Genesis leverages the worldwide platform of GECAS to service its portfolio of leases, allowing management to focus on executing its growth strategy.

Genesis's common shares, in the form of American Depositary Shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GLS."

Conference Call and Webcast

Genesis will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the quarter on Thursday April 30, 2009, at 2:00 pm (GMT) / 9:00 am (Eastern Time) / 6:00am (Pacific Time).

A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call 888-203-1112 (United States/Canada) or 719-457-0820 (International) and enter confirmation code 4631399. The recording will be available from Thursday, April 30, 2009 until Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via the Internet at http://www.genesislease.com under 'Investor Relations'. The webcast will be archived on the site for one year.

The Genesis Lease Limited logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4842

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward - looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the company's future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially due to global economic, business, political, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors and risks. Genesis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in its views or expectations, or otherwise.



                           GENESIS LEASE LIMITED
                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                             December 31,   March 31,
                                                 2008         2009
                                                          (unaudited)
                                              ----------   ----------
                                                 (USD in thousands)

                   ASSETS
 Cash and cash equivalents                       $60,206      $59,966
 Restricted cash                                  33,718       32,929
 Accounts receivable                                 548        1,538
 Other assets                                     34,761       33,680
 Flight equipment under operating leases,
  net                                          1,597,604    1,592,856
 Fixed assets                                      2,224        2,058
 Deferred income taxes                            28,634       26,856
                                              ----------   ----------
   Total Assets                               $1,757,695   $1,749,883
                                              ==========   ==========

     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Accounts payable                                $35,445      $40,807
 Other liabilities                               118,420      118,728
 Debt:
   Securitization notes                          796,500      781,500
   Debt facilities                               331,893      324,418
                                              ----------   ----------
   Total Liabilities                           1,282,258    1,265,453
                                              ----------   ----------


 Commitments and contingencies                        --           --

 Shareholders' equity:
   Par value 0.001 U.S. dollars per
    share; 500,000,000 shares authorized;
    34,341,095 and 34,343,987 shares issued
    and outstanding at December 31, 2008
    and March 31, 2009, respectively                  34           34
    Additional paid-in capital                   579,971      579,904
    Accumulated other comprehensive income       (76,191)     (73,259)
    Accumulated deficit                          (28,377)     (22,249)
                                              ----------   ----------
 Total shareholders' equity                      475,437      484,430
                                              ----------   ----------
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   $1,757,695   $1,749,883
                                              ==========   ==========



                          GENESIS LEASE LIMITED
            UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                     March 31,
                                              -----------------------
                                                 2008         2009
                                              ----------   ----------
                                                 (USD in thousands)

 Revenues
 Rental of flight equipment                      $54,069      $50,825
 Other income                                        612        6,319
                                              ----------   ----------
 Total revenues                                   54,681       57,144
                                              ----------   ----------
 Expenses
 Depreciation                                     20,097       21,453
 Interest                                         16,779       18,908
 Maintenance                                         490           31
 Selling, general and administrative               6,231        5,740
                                              ----------   ----------
 Total operating expenses                         43,597       46,132
                                              ----------   ----------
 Income Before Taxes                              11,084       11,012
 Provision for income taxes                        1,229        1,450
                                              ----------   ----------
 Net Income                                       $9,855       $9,562
                                              ==========   ==========

 Basic and diluted earnings per share              $0.27        $0.28
                                              ==========   ==========

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure - EBITDA

EBITDA is a measure of operating performance and liquidity that is not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Genesis defines EBITDA as net income before provision for income taxes, interest and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a key measure of Genesis's operating performance and liquidity that management uses to focus on consolidated operating results exclusive of expenses that relate to the financing and capitalization of its business. Management uses EBITDA as a financial measure to evaluate the consolidated financial and operating performance and liquidity of the business that, when viewed with GAAP results and the following reconciliation, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting Genesis's business than GAAP measures alone. EBITDA assists Genesis in comparing its operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of its capital structure (primarily interest charges), asset base (primarily depreciation and amortization) and items outside the control of the management team (taxes) from its operating results. EBITDA also assists Genesis in comparing its liquidity on a consistent basis by providing a measure to demonstrate cash flow available for the payment of interest and dividends. EBITDA is presented in this press release because Genesis believes that EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a measure of financial performance and of debt service and dividend paying capacity. Accordingly, EBITDA is one of the metrics used by management and the board of directors to review Genesis's financial performance and liquidity.

EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for net income, income from operations or cash flows provided by or used in operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP. In evaluating EBITDA, investors should be aware that in the future Genesis may incur expenses similar to the adjustments described above. In particular, Genesis expects that depreciation of flight equipment and interest expense will continue to represent the substantial portion of its operating expenses. Therefore, the use of EBITDA as a measure of operating performance and liquidity is limited by the exclusion of a majority of Genesis's operating expenses from the measure. The following presentation of EBITDA should not be construed as an implication that future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine or non-recurring items. Investors are urged to review the GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release and Genesis's public filings, and to not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business.



                RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA FOR
          THE THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 AND 2009

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,
                                              -----------------------
                                                 2008          2009
                                              ----------   ----------
                                                 (USD in thousands)

 Net income                                       $9,855       $9,562
 Provision for income taxes                        1,229        1,450
 Depreciation and amortization                    21,582       22,977
 Interest                                         15,323       17,408
                                              ----------   ----------
 EBITDA                                          $47,989      $51,397
                                              ==========   ==========

(i) "Interest" excludes the amortization of deferred financing costs,which are reflected under "Depreciation and amortization."


            

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