Willis Lease Finance Corporation announces a $200 million purchase of nine Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, enhancing fuel efficiency and sustainability.
Quiver AI Summary
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) has announced a significant transaction with Pratt & Whitney to purchase nine new PW1133G-JM aircraft engines, which is expected to be completed by December 31, 2024. The engines, known for their fuel efficiency and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel, represent a $200 million investment aimed at modernizing WLFC's offerings to airlines. CEO Austin C. Willis expressed excitement about deepening the company's partnership with Pratt & Whitney and aligning this move with WLFC's growth strategy. The company offers a range of leasing and aviation support services and highlighted its commitment to providing advanced, environmentally friendly engine solutions.
Potential Positives
- Willis Lease Finance Corporation has entered into a significant transaction valued at approximately $200 million for the purchase of nine new PW1133G-JM aircraft engines, enhancing its fleet offerings.
- The acquisition of Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines, which provide up to 20% better fuel efficiency and are compatible with sustainable aviation fuels, aligns with WLFC’s commitment to environmental sustainability and modern technology.
- This partnership with Pratt & Whitney deepens existing relationships and supports WLFC's growth strategy, positioning the company to meet long-term customer needs in a competitive aviation market.
- The announcement reinforces WLFC’s leading position in the commercial aircraft engine leasing market, highlighting its proactive investment in cutting-edge aviation technology.
Potential Negatives
- The press release highlights significant risks associated with the airline industry, including potential impacts from global events such as war, terrorism, and pandemics, which could negatively affect the company's operations and financial performance.
- The company cautions against undue reliance on forward-looking statements, indicating uncertainty in achieving projected results and operational expectations.
- The mention of various risks affecting leasing agreements and market conditions suggests potential vulnerabilities in the company's business model that could hinder growth and profitability.
FAQ
What is the recent transaction announced by Willis Lease Finance Corporation?
Willis Lease Finance Corporation announced a transaction to purchase nine new PW1133G-JM aircraft engines from Pratt & Whitney, valued at approximately $200 million.
How do the PW1133G-JM engines improve fuel efficiency?
The PW1133G-JM engines provide up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to previous engine generations and are certified for use with sustainable aviation fuel.
What are the environmental benefits of the new engines?
These engines, certified for 50% sustainable aviation fuel and successfully tested on 100% SAF, deliver significant environmental benefits by reducing emissions.
How does this transaction align with WLFC's growth strategy?
This partnership with Pratt & Whitney supports WLFC's strategy of investing in modern, fuel-efficient engines to enhance airline operations and maintain aircraft availability.
Where can I find more information about Willis Lease Finance Corporation?
More information can be found on the company’s official website at www.wlfc.global.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$WLFC Insider Trading Activity
$WLFC insiders have traded $WLFC stock on the open market 89 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 89 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $WLFC stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- AUSTIN CHANDLER WILLIS (Chief Executive Officer) has traded it 6 times. They made 0 purchases and 6 sales, selling 3,450 shares.
- RAE ANN MCKEATING has traded it 3 times. They made 0 purchases and 3 sales, selling 1,000 shares.
- SCOTT B. FLAHERTY (EVP, CFO) has traded it 4 times. They made 0 purchases and 4 sales, selling 20,000 shares.
- CHARLES F IV WILLIS (Executive Chairman) has traded it 49 times. They made 0 purchases and 49 sales, selling 90,700 shares.
- BRIAN RICHARD HOLE (PRESIDENT) has traded it 7 times. They made 0 purchases and 7 sales, selling 37,570 shares.
- ROBERT J. KEADY has traded it 20 times. They made 0 purchases and 20 sales, selling 25,114 shares.
To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.
$WLFC Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 45 institutional investors add shares of $WLFC stock to their portfolio, and 34 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- M3F, INC. removed 52,500 shares (-8.4%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
- PEKIN HARDY STRAUSS, INC. added 29,791 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- AMERICAN CENTURY COMPANIES INC added 24,157 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- PHASE 2 PARTNERS, LLC removed 17,965 shares (-25.5%) from their portfolio in Q3 2024
- ARROWSTREET CAPITAL, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP added 16,206 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- CHARLES SCHWAB INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC added 14,590 shares (+173.7%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
- FIRST TRUST ADVISORS LP added 9,929 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q3 2024
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and provider of global aviation service operations, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a transaction with Pratt & Whitney for the purchase of nine new PW1133G-JM aircraft engines, with all purchases expected to occur by December 31, 2024. Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines enable up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to aircraft powered by the prior generation of engines, are certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and have been successfully tested on 100% SAF. The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million based on Pratt & Whitney’s 2024 list prices, is another big step towards providing the most modern and in-demand engines to airlines over the long term. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.
“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Pratt & Whitney as we continue to invest in cutting-edge, fuel-efficient, engines that deliver environmental benefits. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and will help our customers keep their A320 aircraft flying for the foreseeable future,” said Austin C. Willis, WLFC’s Chief Executive Officer.
For more information on Willis Lease Finance Corporation, visit www.wlfc.global .
Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) 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 engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis 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 ® , 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.
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. 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 the COVID-19 pandemic; 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; 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 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.
CONTACT:
Lynn Mailliard Kohler
Manager Corporate Communications
[email protected]
415.328.4798