Willis Lease Establishes Willis Aviation Capital for Third-Party Asset Management
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 06 2026
0mins
Should l Buy WLFC?
Willis Lease Finance Corporation announced the establishment of Willis Aviation Capital, a new division that will focus on the management of third-party assets and capital through discretionary funds. WLFC will manage engine and aviation asset portfolios primarily funded by third-party capital. The platform is expected to generate recurring management fees, carried interest, and servicing revenues, while expanding WLFC's asset management presence and supporting balance sheet deleveraging. WLFC has partnered with leading institutional investors to help launch the platform, including its recently announced leasing partnership with Blackstone Credit & Insurance and credit strategy with Liberty Mutual Investments, both of which will be managed in collaboration with WAC. In addition, WAC will oversee WLFC's existing joint ventures with Mitsui & Co. and China Aviation Supplies Company, as well as select third-party aviation assets in which WLFC does not hold an equity interest. WAC will be led by Brian Hole, who has been appointed Global Head of Managed Funds and Credit.
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Analyst Views on WLFC
About WLFC
Willis Lease Finance Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, is a lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft and aircraft engines. The Company operates through two segments: Leasing and Related Operations, and Spare Parts Sales. The Leasing and Related Operations segment involves acquiring and leasing, primarily pursuant to operating leases, commercial aircraft, aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and the selective purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and other related businesses. The Spare Parts Sales segment involves the purchase and resale of after-market engine parts, whole engines, engine modules and portable aircraft components. The Spare Parts Sales segment also enables the Company to provide end-of-life solutions for surplus aircraft and engines, as well as manage the full lifecycle of its lease assets. Its subsidiaries include WEST Engine Funding LLC, Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc., and Willis Asset Management Limited.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Operational Assurance: The ConstantThrust® program will provide seamless engine exchanges for Nauru Airlines, ensuring continuous availability during major maintenance intervals, thereby reducing downtime and improving flight punctuality.
- Global Service Capability: This agreement highlights Willis Lease's global expertise in technical management and maintenance services, catering to Nauru Airlines' operational needs in a remote environment, further solidifying its leadership in air transportation across the Central and South Pacific region.
- Strategic Partnership Outlook: The Minister for Nauru Airlines noted that partnering with a global lessor like WLFC will provide operational leverage, and the flexible terms of the agreement will support future aircraft deliveries, facilitating Nauru Airlines' continued growth.
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- Yield Information: The forward yield of 0.87% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more income-focused investors.
- Shareholder Timeline: The dividend is payable on February 20, with a record date of February 11 and an ex-dividend date also on February 11, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns.
- Shift to Asset-Light Model: Willis Lease Finance is transitioning to an asset-light model, which is expected to drive share prices higher and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
See More
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- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Austin C. Willis emphasized that this dividend underscores the company's ongoing commitment to delivering long-term value to shareholders, aiming to boost investor confidence and attract further investment.
- Integrated Business Advantages: Willis Lease not only provides leasing services for commercial aircraft engines but also integrates engine and aircraft trading, asset management, and various end-of-life solutions, enhancing overall business competitiveness.
- Market Outlook: Despite facing multiple risks and uncertainties in the airline industry, the company remains committed to maintaining growth through flexible responses to market changes, ensuring continued shareholder returns.
See More
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- Market Leadership: As a leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines, WLFC is further solidifying its market leadership position through its technical expertise and customer relationships, which is expected to attract more high-quality clients.
- Capital Diversification: The investment from Blackstone not only provides capital diversification for the Willis platform but also accelerates the growth of its asset management business, enhancing its competitiveness in the aviation industry.
- Global Impact: This partnership will enable Willis Lease to better meet the global aviation market's demand for engine solutions, driving continued expansion and innovation in its aviation services sector.
See More
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- Asset Backing: The bonds are secured by a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes, ensuring investor security while enhancing the company's competitiveness in the aviation leasing market.
- Market Positioning: This bond issuance further solidifies Willis Lease's leadership in the aviation services sector, with expectations to provide funding support for future expansions and investments.
See More
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- Investment Partnership: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has formed an investment partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments to invest up to $600 million, marking a significant expansion in the company's credit strategy within the aviation financing sector.
- Financing Support: This collaboration is backed by a warehouse debt facility from Bank of America, demonstrating Willis Lease's financial strength and market credibility, which is expected to accelerate the growth of its asset management business.
- Industry Leadership: Since pioneering its first revolving credit lease in 2021, Willis Lease has established a leading position in loan and loan-like engine financings, and this partnership will further solidify its dominance in the aircraft engine leasing market.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The involvement of Liberty Mutual Investments not only provides flexible long-term capital for Willis Lease but also aims to leverage both parties' expertise to drive growth and explore adjacent opportunities in aviation finance.
See More
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- Lease Agreement Details: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has entered into a purchase and leaseback agreement with Nauru Airlines for seven CFM56-7B engines, ensuring reliable ConstantThrust® support for the airline's Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 fleets over the next six years, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Operational Assurance: The ConstantThrust® program will provide seamless engine exchanges for Nauru Airlines, ensuring continuous availability during major maintenance intervals, thereby reducing downtime and improving flight punctuality.
- Global Service Capability: This agreement highlights Willis Lease's global expertise in technical management and maintenance services, catering to Nauru Airlines' operational needs in a remote environment, further solidifying its leadership in air transportation across the Central and South Pacific region.
- Strategic Partnership Outlook: The Minister for Nauru Airlines noted that partnering with a global lessor like WLFC will provide operational leverage, and the flexible terms of the agreement will support future aircraft deliveries, facilitating Nauru Airlines' continued growth.
See More
Willis Lease Finance (WLFC) Declares $0.40 Quarterly Dividend with 0.87% Yield
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Willis Lease Finance has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Yield Information: The forward yield of 0.87% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more income-focused investors.
- Shareholder Timeline: The dividend is payable on February 20, with a record date of February 11 and an ex-dividend date also on February 11, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns.
- Shift to Asset-Light Model: Willis Lease Finance is transitioning to an asset-light model, which is expected to drive share prices higher and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
See More
Willis Lease Finance Announces $0.40 Dividend Per Share, Reflecting Business Strength
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has declared a $0.40 per share dividend, expected to be paid on February 20, 2026, reflecting the company's stability and profitability in the aviation leasing market.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Austin C. Willis emphasized that this dividend underscores the company's ongoing commitment to delivering long-term value to shareholders, aiming to boost investor confidence and attract further investment.
- Integrated Business Advantages: Willis Lease not only provides leasing services for commercial aircraft engines but also integrates engine and aircraft trading, asset management, and various end-of-life solutions, enhancing overall business competitiveness.
- Market Outlook: Despite facing multiple risks and uncertainties in the airline industry, the company remains committed to maintaining growth through flexible responses to market changes, ensuring continued shareholder returns.
See More
Willis Lease Partners with Blackstone to Deploy Over $1 Billion in Engine Leasing
- Strategic Partnership: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has formed a strategic partnership with Blackstone Credit & Insurance, planning to invest over $1 billion in current and next-generation aircraft engines over the next two years, significantly enhancing the scale and diversification of its asset management business.
- Market Leadership: As a leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines, WLFC is further solidifying its market leadership position through its technical expertise and customer relationships, which is expected to attract more high-quality clients.
- Capital Diversification: The investment from Blackstone not only provides capital diversification for the Willis platform but also accelerates the growth of its asset management business, enhancing its competitiveness in the aviation industry.
- Global Impact: This partnership will enable Willis Lease to better meet the global aviation market's demand for engine solutions, driving continued expansion and innovation in its aviation services sector.
See More
Willis Lease Finance Completes $392.9 Million Bond Offering
- Successful Bond Offering: Willis Lease's wholly-owned subsidiary WEST completed the issuance of $337.4 million in Series A and B Fixed Rate Notes, totaling $392.9 million, demonstrating the company's strong financing capabilities.
- Interest Rate Advantage: The fixed rates of 5.159% for Series A and 5.696% for Series B provide the company with relatively stable financing costs, aiding in optimizing its capital structure and reducing financial risk.
- Asset Backing: The bonds are secured by a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes, ensuring investor security while enhancing the company's competitiveness in the aviation leasing market.
- Market Positioning: This bond issuance further solidifies Willis Lease's leadership in the aviation services sector, with expectations to provide funding support for future expansions and investments.
See More
Willis Lease Partners with Liberty Mutual for $600 Million Investment
- Investment Partnership: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has formed an investment partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments to invest up to $600 million, marking a significant expansion in the company's credit strategy within the aviation financing sector.
- Financing Support: This collaboration is backed by a warehouse debt facility from Bank of America, demonstrating Willis Lease's financial strength and market credibility, which is expected to accelerate the growth of its asset management business.
- Industry Leadership: Since pioneering its first revolving credit lease in 2021, Willis Lease has established a leading position in loan and loan-like engine financings, and this partnership will further solidify its dominance in the aircraft engine leasing market.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The involvement of Liberty Mutual Investments not only provides flexible long-term capital for Willis Lease but also aims to leverage both parties' expertise to drive growth and explore adjacent opportunities in aviation finance.
See More
