Willis Lease Finance CORP: insider trades · United States · SEC (Form 4)

About Willis Lease Finance CORP

Willis Lease Finance Corp. (WLFC) is a U.S.-based aviation asset specialist focused on leasing and related services for commercial aircraft engines. The company is listed on the NASDAQ market in the United States (United States) and serves airlines, engine manufacturers, maintenance providers and other aviation customers worldwide. Its business model combines spare engine leasing with asset trading, engine and aviation materials sales, asset management and end-of-life solutions for engines and related equipment. Founded in 1985, Willis Lease Finance has built a niche position in the highly specialized spare engine leasing market. As disclosed in its annual report, the company managed a total portfolio of 277 engines, aircraft and related equipment for itself and for third parties as of December 31, 2024. The portfolio is concentrated in modern commercial jet engines, including products from CFM International, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and International Aero Engines. These engines are used across Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer aircraft, which gives WLFC broad exposure to the global commercial fleet. The company operates through two reportable segments: Leasing and Related Operations, which accounts for the vast majority of consolidated revenue, and Spare Parts Sales. This second segment is powered by Willis Aero, a vertically integrated subsidiary that acquires or consigns engines and focuses on selling aircraft engine parts and materials. WLFC also runs Willis Asset Management, which provides engine management and consulting services to third parties. This integrated structure is strategically important because it allows the company to extract value across the full life cycle of aviation assets, from lease income to parts realization and asset redeployment. Headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida, WLFC has a global footprint that includes operations and facilities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, China, Singapore and India. Its filings indicate that roughly 66.3% of its on-lease engines, aircraft and related equipment by net book value were leased and operated internationally at year-end 2024, underscoring the company’s geographic diversification beyond the U.S. market. From a competitive standpoint, WLFC operates in a demanding sector where it competes with aircraft engine manufacturers, aircraft and engine lessors, repair shops and aftermarket parts distributors. Its edge lies in technical expertise, asset management capabilities and the ability to offer airlines and MROs flexible, capital-efficient solutions for engine availability and fleet continuity. Among the most notable recent developments, the company announced in March 2025 a joint venture with Global Engine Maintenance to develop an engine test cell facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, addressing a shortage of testing capacity in North America. WLFC also pursued capital-markets financing activity in 2025, reflecting an active approach to funding and balance-sheet management.