COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug.  25, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) (the &#34;Company&#34; or &#34;WLFC&#34;), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of

WLFC

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Closes Transaction to Acquire Commercial Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Portfolio

Willis Lease Finance closes acquisition of 12 aircraft and 13 engines

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    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug.  25, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) (the &amp;#34;Company&amp;#34; or &amp;#34;WLFC&amp;#34;), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Willis Lease Finance announced the closing of an acquisition adding 12 aircraft and 13 engines, expanding its asset base and reinforcing its integrated leasing and asset-management platform. The CEO framed this as disciplined growth and long-term value creation, signaling a strategic push to deploy capital efficiently. Immediate effects may include higher asset utilization and potential cash-flow uplift, though deal terms and funding specifics were not disclosed.</p>
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  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>WLFC closes acquisition of 12 aircraft and 13 engines. Expands asset portfolio.</li><li>Acquisition broadens WLFC’s leasing and asset-management capabilities. Supports utilization and value growth.</li><li>CEO cites disciplined growth and long-term value creation as core strategy. Advisors named: Milbank, PwC, Vedder, KPMG Ireland.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC)</strong>: Announced acquisition of 12 aircraft and 13 engines; potential tailwind to asset portfolio and utilization.</li><li><strong>Milbank LLP (N/A)</strong>: Legal counsel to WLFC for the transaction.</li><li><strong>PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (N/A)</strong>: Provided accounting, tax, and financial due diligence for the deal.</li><li><strong>Vedder (N/A)</strong>: Seller&#039;s legal counsel in the transaction.</li><li><strong>KPMG Ireland (N/A)</strong>: Tax and accounting advisor for the seller.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category: Corporate Developments. This is a strategic asset acquisition that expands WLFC’s fleet and service capabilities, with potential uplift to utilization and revenue visibility over time.</p>
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  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Asset base enlarged via 12 aircraft and 13 engines, potentially boosting utilization.</li><li>No financial terms disclosed; financing needs and impact on leverage to watch.</li><li>Positive growth narrative could support multiple expansion if asset deployment proves favorable.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Date of release: August 25, 2026.</li><li>Acquired assets: 12 commercial aircraft and 13 aircraft engines.</li><li>Location: Coconut Creek, Florida.</li><li>Ticker: NASDAQ WLFC.</li><li>Advisors: Milbank LLP (legal), PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (accounting/due diligence), Vedder (seller&#039;s counsel), KPMG Ireland (tax/accounting).</li><li>No financial terms or purchase price disclosed.</li></ul>
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  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Bullish for WLFC in the near term on asset-light expansion and utilization upside; monitor financing terms and lease execution over the next 6–12 months.</p>
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link><p align="justify">COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug.  25, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WLFC">WLFC</a>) (the "Company" or "WLFC"), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced that it has closed the transaction to acquire 12 commercial aircraft and 13 aircraft engines.</p>  <p align="justify">The acquisition expands WLFC’s aviation asset portfolio and provides additional opportunities to leverage the Company’s integrated leasing, asset management, technical and aftermarket capabilities. WLFC’s global platform provides multiple avenues to deploy and manage these assets with the objective of maximizing utilization and value throughout their lifecycle.</p>  <p align="justify">"We believe this acquisition represents an attractive opportunity to put capital to work in assets that fit well with our existing business," said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. "It builds on our core strengths in aircraft and engine leasing and reflects our continued focus on disciplined growth and long-term value creation."</p>  <p align="justify">Milbank LLP served as legal counsel to WLFC, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided accounting, tax, and financial due diligence services to WLFC in connection with the transaction. The seller was advised by Vedder as legal counsel and by KPMG Ireland as tax and accounting advisors in connection with the transaction.</p>  <p align="justify"><strong><u>Willis</u></strong> <strong><u>Lease</u></strong> <strong><u>Finance</u></strong> <strong><u>Corporation</u></strong></p>  <p>Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools, and asset management services through Willis Mitsui &amp; Co. Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center&#xAE;, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.</p>  <p>Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law.</p>  <p>The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and the Company’s ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; the Company’s ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to the Company and its customers; the Company’s ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in the Company’s portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.</p> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width:100%; border-collapse:collapse ;"><tr><td style="max-width:10%; width:10%; min-width:10%;;text-align: left ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: top ; "><strong>CONTACT:</strong></td><td style="max-width:90%; width:90%; min-width:90%;;text-align: left ;  vertical-align: middle; vertical-align: top ; ">Lynn Mailliard Kohler<br></br><br></br>Director, Global Corporate Communications<br></br><br></br>(415) 328-4798<br></br><br></br>lkohler@willislease.com</td></tr></table> <p><br></br></p> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTgxNTI0NCM3ODAxMDQ0IzIwMjY5MDg="></img> <br></br><img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/YjYxYmMwZDctYzhmNi00OWY4LWJiMDEtNzhiODgzNzUzYjlmLTEwMzg1NDQtMjAyNi0wOC0yNS1lbg==/tiny/Willis-Lease-Finance-Corp-.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><p><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c7750338-127c-4be8-9305-fb8b94ddd7a4"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/c7750338-127c-4be8-9305-fb8b94ddd7a4/small/wlfc-jpg.jpg" border="0" width="150" height="63" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a></p>

Willis Lease Finance announced the closing of an acquisition adding 12 aircraft and 13 engines, expanding its asset base and reinforcing its integrated leasing and asset-management platform. The CEO framed this as disciplined growth and long-term value creation, signaling a strategic push to deploy capital efficiently. Immediate effects may include higher asset utilization and potential cash-flow uplift, though deal terms and funding specifics were not disclosed.

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Willis Lease Finance Corporation Closes Transaction to Acquire Commercial Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Portfolio

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Corporate Developments