Willis Lease Finance to Buy 12 Aircraft and 13 Engines
The aircraft-engine lessor said the asset purchase will expand its lease book and feed engine-based programs such as ConstantThrust.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) signed a definitive agreement to acquire 12 commercial aircraft and 13 aircraft engines.
The asset purchase is the latest in a run of portfolio additions and capital partnerships that have widened the company’s lease book and its access to long-term funding. The deal complements the company’s asset-management, technical and aftermarket operations, strengthening its ability to support customers across the aviation asset lifecycle.
Chief Executive Officer Austin C. Willis said the transaction provides an opportunity to grow the portfolio and the customer base. “It also strengthens our aircraft leasing business, where we can create additional value through engine-based programs such as ConstantThrust®,” he said.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Milbank LLP served as legal counsel to WLFC, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided accounting, tax and financial due-diligence services. The seller was advised by Vedder as legal counsel and by KPMG Ireland as tax and accounting advisors.
The purchase follows a January partnership with Blackstone Credit & Insurance in which the two firms planned to deploy more than $1 billion over two years into current- and next-generation aircraft engines and select aircraft. A seed portfolio and near-term pipeline of engine assets had been identified for expected closure into that partnership.
In December 2025, the company closed a separate investment partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments that will invest up to $600 million to fund WLFC’s credit strategy, supported by a Bank of America warehouse debt facility and focused on loan and loan-like engine financings.
WLFC also closed a $392.9 million offering of fixed-rate notes through Willis Engine Structured Trust IX in December 2025, secured in part by a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes.
The lessor leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines and aircraft to airlines, engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers. Those leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, lease pools and asset management through Willis Mitsui & Co. Asset Management Limited, and with end-of-life solutions through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, disassembly, parking and storage, and airport FBO and ground and cargo handling.