Willis Lease Finance Corporation Secures Purchase and Leaseback Agreement with Nauru Airlines for CFM56-7B Engines

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced a purchase and leaseback agreement with Nauru Airlines (“Nauru”) for seven CFM56-7B engines. The agreement will provide Nauru with reliable ConstantThrust ^® support for the airline’s entire modern fleet of CFM56-7B engines powering Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft for six plus years.

Under WLFC’s ConstantThrust ^® program engines are seamlessly exchanged for fully serviceable replacements as they reach major maintenance intervals. ConstantThrust ^® leverages WLFC’s global expertise in spare parts provisioning, technical management, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to ensure uninterrupted operational performance for airlines and lessors worldwide. This program will play a key role in supporting Nauru’s continued growth and its critical role in providing reliable air transportation across the Central and South Pacific region.

“Our partnership with Nauru Airlines underscores the global reach and adaptability of the ConstantThrust ^® program,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. “Nauru Airlines operates in a uniquely demanding and remote environment as an island country in the Pacific Ocean. We are excited to support their continued growth and leadership in regional aviation with our investment.”

“Working with a global lessor like WLFC will bring us the operational leverage we need,” said Honorable Minister Asterio Appi, Minister for Nauru Air Corporation, Government of Nauru. “We are thrilled to be leveraging the Willis ecosystem.”

The deal terms are extendable to accommodate new aircraft deliveries.

About 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

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. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are subject to change in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. 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, either expressly or implicitly, 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 natural disasters; 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 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.