Tuesday, March 10

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Record 2025 Financial Results


Willis Lease Finance Corp.
Willis Lease Finance Corp.

Delivers Record Pre-Tax Income of $160.6 Million and Record Revenue of $730.2 Million

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 10, 2026 (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 year ended December 31, 2025.

2025 Highlights (All metrics compared to 2024, except if noted)

  • Record high annual total revenue of $730.2 million, an increase of 28.3%

  • Record high pre-tax income of $160.6 million, an increase of 5.2%

  • Record high lease rent revenue of $291.6 million, an increase of 22.4%

  • Record high maintenance reserve revenue of $232.0 million, an increase of 8.4%

  • Record high spare parts and equipment sales of $95.5 million, an increase of 252.3%

  • Record high gain on sale of leased equipment of $54.0 million, an increase of 19.9%

  • Record high net income attributable to common shareholders of $108.1 million, an increase of 3.5%

  • Adjusted EBITDA of $459.1 million, an increase of 16.6%

  • Average portfolio utilization increased to 84.9% for 2025, compared to 82.9%

Total revenue was $730.2 million for 2025, up 28.3% as compared to $569.2 million for 2024. For 2025, core lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $523.6 million in the aggregate, up 15.8% as compared to $452.1 million for 2024. The growth was predominantly driven by core lease and maintenance revenues associated with the continued strength of the aviation marketplace, as airlines leverage the Company’s extensive portfolio of in-demand engines as well as our parts and maintenance capabilities to avoid protracted, expensive engine shop visits.

“Our 2025 results were strong,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. “Equally important however were the strategic initiatives and capital markets activities that we put in place to foster long term growth.”

2025 Operating Results

Lease rent revenue increased by $53.4 million, or 22.4%, to $291.6 million in 2025 from $238.2 million in 2024. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the average size of the portfolio as compared to that of the prior period as well as an increase in average utilization (based on net book value of equipment held for operating lease, maintenance rights, and notes receivable and investments in sales-type leases net of allowances) of equipment held in our operating lease portfolio.

Maintenance reserve revenue increased by $18.1 million, or 8.4%, to $232.0 million for 2025 from $213.9 million for 2024. During 2025, the Company recognized $44.5 million of long-term maintenance revenue compared to $39.4 million for 2024. Long-term maintenance revenue is influenced by end of lease compensation and the realization of long-term maintenance reserves associated with engines coming off lease. Engines on lease with “non-reimbursable” usage fees generated $187.5 million of short-term maintenance revenues for 2025 compared to $174.5 million for 2024, an increase of $13.0 million, or 7.4%. The increase in short-term maintenance reserve revenue was influenced by an increase in the number of engines on short-term lease conditions, the timing of recognition of in-substance fixed payments, and the systematic, contractual increase in the hourly and cyclical usage rates on our engines.

Spare parts and equipment sales for 2025 increased by $68.4 million, or 252.3%, to $95.5 million compared to $27.1 million for 2024. Spare part sales were $37.7 million and $26.1 million for 2025 and 2024, respectively, an increase of $11.6 million or 44.4%. The increase in spare parts sales reflects the demand for surplus material as operators seek to extend the lives of their current generation engine portfolios. Equipment sales for 2025 were $57.8 million related to the sale of four engines. Equipment sales for 2024 were $1.0 million related to the sale of one engine.

Gain on sale of leased equipment was $54.0 million in 2025, reflecting the sale of 38 engines, five airframes, and other parts and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio. Gain on sale of leased equipment was $45.1 million in 2024, reflecting the sale of 35 engines, eight airframes, and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio.

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 $3,614.5 million as of December 31, 2025.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted EBITDA

We analyze our financial data to evaluate the health of our business and assess our performance. As appropriate, in addition to income or loss from operations under GAAP, we use Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate our business. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance as it excludes certain items that may not be indicative of our recurring operating results. We also believe that investors, in addition to management, benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure in assessing our performance, when viewed together with our GAAP results. While items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA may be recurring in nature and should not be disregarded in evaluating performance, it can be useful to exclude such items as they can vary significantly between periods and or not be indicative of current or future operating results.

Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP measures, if any, reported by other companies. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in insolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information performed in accordance with GAAP.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) interest expense, (iii) preferred stock dividends/costs, (iv) loss on debt extinguishment, (v) depreciation and amortization expense, (vi) stock compensation expense, (vii) write-down of equipment, (viii) acquisition, financing and divestitures related expenses, and (ix) other items not indicative of our ongoing operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $459.1 million and $393.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. See below for the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net income attributable to common shareholders.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

(in thousands)

Net income attributable to common shareholders

$

108,066

 

 

$

104,378

Add: Income tax expense

 

46,849

 

 

 

44,033

Add: Interest expense

 

132,060

 

 

 

104,764

Add: Preferred stock dividends/costs

 

5,692

 

 

 

4,234

Add: Loss on debt extinguishment

 

3,081

 

 

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

 

111,553

 

 

 

92,460

Add: Stock compensation expense (1)

 

44,566

 

 

 

29,247

Add: Write-down of equipment

 

32,947

 

 

 

11,228

Add: Acquisition, financing and divestitures related expenses

 

3,495

 

 

 

1,449

(Less) Add: Other (2)

 

(29,197

)

 

 

1,881

Adjusted EBITDA

$

459,112

 

 

$

393,674

________________________________________________________

  1. In 2025, upon the resignation of our former General Counsel, $5.3 million of stock compensation expense relates to the acceleration of vesting of shares.

  2. In 2025, the Company recognized $43.0 million in relation to the gain on sale of the Bridgend Asset Management Limited business. In 2025 and 2024, the Company recognized $13.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in non-recurring project expenses associated with the sustainable aviation fuels project.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,988.9 million, consisting of $2,801.7 million of equipment held in our operating lease portfolio, $139.9 million of notes receivable, $30.6 million of maintenance rights, and $16.6 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 363 engines, 20 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 our 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 plans to hold a conference call led by members of WLFC’s executive management team on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results.

To participate in the conference call, please use the following dial-in numbers:
US and Canada (800) 281-3044
International +1 (646) 307-1068
Conference ID 661343.

The conference call may also be accessed by registering via the following link:
https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1752912&tp_key=936d4d322e

A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call. To access the replay, please visit the Investor Relations sections of our website at https://www.wlfc.global/investor-center.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) 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, as well as 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.

 

CONTACT:

Scott B. Flaherty

 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

561.413.0112

 

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

% Change

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

% Change

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease rent revenue

$

75,074

 

$

64,584

 

16.2

%

 

$

291,633

 

$

238,236

 

22.4

%

Maintenance reserve revenue

 

50,324

 

 

57,381

 

(12.3)

%

 

 

231,980

 

 

213,908

 

8.4

%

Spare parts and equipment sales

 

41,495

 

 

6,762

 

513.6

%

 

 

95,483

 

 

27,099

 

252.3

%

Interest revenue

 

3,150

 

 

3,718

 

(15.3)

%

 

 

14,093

 

 

11,683

 

20.6

%

Gain on sale of leased equipment

 

5,872

 

 

11,915

 

(50.7)

%

 

 

54,025

 

 

45,063

 

19.9

%

Gain on sale of financial assets

 

 

 

 

nm

 

 

378

 

 

 

nm

Maintenance services revenue

 

8,239

 

 

6,202

 

32.8

%

 

 

25,492

 

 

24,158

 

5.5

%

Other revenue

 

9,464

 

 

2,235

 

323.4

%

 

 

17,157

 

 

9,076

 

89.0

%

Total revenue

 

193,618

 

 

152,797

 

26.7

%

 

 

730,241

 

 

569,223

 

28.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

30,317

 

 

24,157

 

25.5

%

 

 

111,553

 

 

92,460

 

20.7

%

Cost of spare parts and equipment sales

 

42,162

 

 

5,849

 

620.8

%

 

 

92,271

 

 

22,852

 

303.8

%

Cost of maintenance services

 

8,833

 

 

6,823

 

29.5

%

 

 

27,918

 

 

24,470

 

14.1

%

Write-down of equipment

 

9,179

 

 

10,362

 

(11.4)

%

 

 

32,947

 

 

11,228

 

193.4

%

General and administrative

 

47,396

 

 

42,452

 

11.6

%

 

 

194,735

 

 

146,757

 

32.7

%

Technical expense

 

9,294

 

 

4,370

 

112.7

%

 

 

31,384

 

 

22,294

 

40.8

%

Net finance costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

32,220

 

 

29,386

 

9.6

%

 

 

132,060

 

 

104,764

 

26.1

%

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

118

 

 

 

nm

 

 

3,081

 

 

 

nm

Total net finance costs

 

32,338

 

 

29,386

 

10.0

%

 

 

135,141

 

 

104,764

 

29.0

%

Total expenses

 

179,519

 

 

123,399

 

45.5

%

 

 

625,949

 

 

424,825

 

47.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

14,099

 

 

29,398

 

(52.0)

%

 

 

104,292

 

 

144,398

 

(27.8)

%

Gain on sale of business

 

 

 

 

nm

 

 

42,950

 

 

 

nm

Income from joint ventures

 

3,740

 

 

992

 

277.0

%

 

 

13,365

 

 

8,247

 

62.1

%

Income before income taxes

 

17,839

 

 

30,390

 

(41.3)

%

 

 

160,607

 

 

152,645

 

5.2

%

Income tax expense

 

5,651

 

 

9,329

 

(39.4)

%

 

 

46,849

 

 

44,033

 

6.4

%

Net income

 

12,188

 

 

21,061

 

(42.1)

%

 

 

113,758

 

 

108,612

 

4.7

%

Preferred stock dividends

 

1,368

 

 

1,368

 

%

 

 

5,413

 

 

4,126

 

31.2

%

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

 

70

 

 

69

 

1.4

%

 

 

279

 

 

108

 

158.3

%

Net income attributable to common shareholders

$

10,750

 

$

19,624

 

(45.2)

%

 

$

108,066

 

$

104,378

 

3.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average income per common share

$

1.58

 

$

2.97

 

 

 

$

16.00

 

$

15.97

 

 

Diluted weighted average income per common share

$

1.52

 

$

2.81

 

 

 

$

15.39

 

$

15.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

 

6,806

 

 

6,603

 

 

 

 

6,754

 

 

6,536

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

7,057

 

 

6,983

 

 

 

 

7,020

 

 

6,804

 

 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

December 31, 2024

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

16,441

 

 

$

9,110

Restricted cash

 

 

530,500

 

 

 

123,392

Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation

 

 

2,801,683

 

 

 

2,635,910

Maintenance rights

 

 

30,632

 

 

 

31,134

Equipment held for sale

 

 

20,509

 

 

 

12,269

Receivables, net

 

 

35,717

 

 

 

38,291

Spare parts inventory

 

 

56,577

 

 

 

72,150

Investments

 

 

104,250

 

 

 

62,670

Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation

 

 

73,835

 

 

 

48,061

Intangible assets, net

 

 

271

 

 

 

2,929

Notes receivable, net

 

 

139,945

 

 

 

183,629

Investments in sales-type leases, net

 

 

16,595

 

 

 

21,606

Other assets

 

 

109,360

 

 

 

56,045

Total assets

 

$

3,936,315

 

 

$

3,297,196

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

105,706

 

 

$

75,983

Deferred income taxes

 

 

228,547

 

 

 

185,049

Debt obligations

 

 

2,700,338

 

 

 

2,264,552

Maintenance reserves

 

 

116,185

 

 

 

97,817

Security deposits

 

 

24,651

 

 

 

23,424

Unearned revenue

 

 

35,350

 

 

 

37,911

Total liabilities

 

 

3,210,777

 

 

 

2,684,736

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)

 

 

63,401

 

 

 

63,122

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value)

 

 

76

 

 

 

72

Paid-in capital in excess of par

 

 

72,663

 

 

 

50,928

Retained earnings

 

 

590,785

 

 

 

491,439

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

 

 

(1,387

)

 

 

6,899

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

662,137

 

 

 

549,338

Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity

 

$

3,936,315

 

 

$

3,297,196



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