WLFC Willis Lease Finance Corp.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Record Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Delivers Record Pre-Tax Income of $74.3 Million and Record Quarterly Revenue of $195.5 Million

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights (All metrics compared to second quarter 2024, except where noted)

  • Record quarterly total revenue of $195.5 million, an increase of 29.4%
  • Record quarterly pre-tax income of $74.3 million
  • Lease rent revenue of $72.3 million, an increase of 29.4%
  • Strong maintenance reserve revenue of $50.7 million with short-term recurring maintenance reserve revenue up 9.5%
  • Spare parts and equipment sales of $30.4 million, an increase of $24.2 million
  • $43.0 million gain on sale of aviation consultancy business to Willis Mitsui & Company Engine Support Limited (“WMES”) joint venture
  • Portfolio utilization increased to 88.3% at quarter end, compared to 76.7% at year end 2024

For the three months ended June 30, 2025, total revenue was $195.5 million, up 29.4% as compared to $151.1 million for the same period in 2024. For the second quarter of 2025, core lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $123.0 million in the aggregate, up 4% as compared to $118.8 million for the same period in 2024. The growth was predominantly driven by core, recurring lease and maintenance revenues associated with the continued strength of the aviation marketplace, as airlines leverage the Company’s leasing, parts and maintenance capabilities to avoid protracted, expensive engine shop visits.

“Quarter 2 was WLFC’s strongest quarter ever,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC, “Even when adjusting for unique events on both the revenue and expense side, the underlying performance of the business, demonstrated by record lease revenues, increased utilization and solid recurring reserves, was exceptional.”

Second Quarter 2025 Operating Results

Engines on lease with “non-reimbursable” usage fees generated $50.2 million of short-term maintenance revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $45.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $4.4 million or 9.5%. The increase reflects an increase in the number of engines on short-term lease conditions, and the systematic, contractual increase in the hourly and cyclical usage rates on our engines.

Spare parts and equipment sales increased to $30.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to $6.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Equipment sales for the three months ended June 30, 2025, were $21.1 million for the sale of one engine. There were no equipment sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The $3.1 million, or 49.3% quarter-over-quarter increase in spare parts sales reflects the heightened demand for surplus material as operators extend the lives of their current generation engine portfolios.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, the gain on sale of leased equipment was $27.6 million, reflecting the sale of 14 engines, two airframes, and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company sold seven engines, eight airframes, and other parts and equipment for a net gain of $14.4 million.

The Company sold Bridgend Asset Management Limited (“BAML”), our United Kingdom aviation consultancy business, to our WMES joint venture, resulting in a gain on sale of business of approximately $43.0 million.

The book value of lease assets owned either directly or through WLFC’s joint ventures, inclusive of the Company’s equipment held for operating lease, maintenance rights, notes receivable, and investments in sales-type leases was $3,254.1 million as of June 30, 2025.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2025, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,830.0 million, consisting of $2,606.6 million of equipment held in its operating lease portfolio, $171.8 million of notes receivable, $34.7 million of maintenance rights, and $16.8 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 348 engines, 15 aircraft, one marine vessel, and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,872.3 million, consisting of $2,635.9 million of equipment held in its operating lease portfolio, $183.6 million of notes receivable, $31.1 million of maintenance rights, and $21.6 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 354 engines, 16 aircraft, one marine vessel, and other leased parts and equipment.

Conference Call

WLFC will hold a conference call led by the executive management team today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2025 results.

To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers:

U.S. and Canada: +1 (800) 289-0459

International: +1 (646) 828-8082

Conference ID: 101023

A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call. To access the replay, please visit our website at  under the Investor Relations section for details.

About Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “feel,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update them, except as may be required by law. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our 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 pandemics; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors, as well as the impact of new or increased tariffs; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our 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 us and our customers; our 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 our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data) 

 Three months ended June 30,   Six months ended June 30, 
  2025  2024 % Change  2025  2024 % Change
REVENUE           
Lease rent revenue$72,268 $55,866 29.4% $140,007 $108,747 28.7%
Maintenance reserve revenue 50,743  62,897 (19.3)%  105,602  106,767 (1.1)%
Spare parts and equipment sales 30,354  6,186 390.7%  48,594  9,474 412.9%
Interest revenue 3,649  2,284 59.8%  7,583  4,553 66.5%
Gain on sale of leased equipment 27,582  14,428 91.2%  32,019  23,629 35.5%
Gain on sale of financial assets    nm   378   nm 
Maintenance services revenue 8,031  6,781 18.4%  13,617  12,008 13.4%
Other revenue 2,875  2,678 7.4%  5,434  5,025 8.1%
Total revenue 195,502  151,120 29.4%  353,234  270,203 30.7%
            
EXPENSES           
Depreciation and amortization expense 27,550  22,167 24.3%  52,574  44,653 17.7%
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales 28,102  5,437 416.9%  43,425  8,142 433.3%
Cost of maintenance services 8,621  5,671 52.0%  13,950  11,245 24.1%
Write-down of equipment 11,458   nm   13,567  261 5,098.1%
General and administrative 50,429  34,687 45.4%  98,149  64,268 52.7%
Technical expense 7,508  4,518 66.2%  13,738  12,773 7.6%
Net finance costs:           
Interest expense 33,569  24,562 36.7%  65,663  47,565 38.0%
Total net finance costs 33,569  24,562 36.7%  65,663  47,565 38.0%
Total expenses 167,237  97,042 72.3%  301,066  188,907 59.4%
            
Income from operations 28,265  54,078 (47.7)%  52,168  81,296 (35.8)%
Gain on sale of business 42,950   nm   42,950   nm 
Income from joint ventures 3,082  3,825 (19.4)%  4,433  6,499 (31.8)%
Income before income taxes 74,297  57,903 28.3%  99,551  87,795 13.4%
Income tax expense 13,920  15,317 (9.1)%  22,305  24,340 (8.4)%
Net income 60,377  42,586 41.8%  77,246  63,455 21.7%
Preferred stock dividends 1,353  910 48.7%  2,676  1,810 47.8%
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs 69  12 475.0%  139  24 479.2%
Net income attributable to common shareholders$58,955 $41,664 41.5% $74,431 $61,621 20.8%
            
Basic weighted average income per common share$8.68 $6.34   $11.11 $9.51  
Diluted weighted average income per common share$8.43 $6.21   $10.64 $9.22  
            
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 6,789  6,570    6,698  6,479  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 6,990  6,714    6,995  6,687  
                

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

  June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024
ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents $37,267  $9,110 
Restricted cash  745,268   123,392 
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation  2,606,593   2,635,910 
Maintenance rights  34,734   31,134 
Equipment held for sale  13,191   12,269 
Receivables, net  37,644   38,291 
Spare parts inventory  63,609   72,150 
Investments  91,123   62,670 
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation  62,653   48,061 
Intangible assets, net  271   2,929 
Notes receivable, net  171,846   183,629 
Investments in sales-type leases, net  16,779   21,606 
Other assets  65,467   56,045 
Total assets $3,946,445  $3,297,196 
     
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $86,720  $75,983 
Deferred income taxes  203,726   185,049 
Debt obligations  2,800,643   2,264,552 
Maintenance reserves  113,121   97,817 
Security deposits  24,204   23,424 
Unearned revenue  36,833   37,911 
Total liabilities  3,265,247   2,684,736 
     
Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)  63,261   63,122 
     
Shareholders’ equity:    
Common stock ($0.01 par value)  76   72 
Paid-in capital in excess of par  56,000   50,928 
Retained earnings  562,121   491,439 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax  (260)  6,899 
Total shareholders’ equity  617,937   549,338 
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity $3,946,445  $3,297,196 



CONTACT:Scott B. Flaherty
 Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 561.413.0112


EN
05/08/2025

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