Willis Lease Finance Corporation Launches In-House Engine Module Restoration Capability, Willis Module Shop™
Rhea-AI Summary
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) launched an in-house engine module restoration capability branded Willis Module Shop™, completing its inaugural restoration of a CFM56-7B core module on Feb. 12, 2026. Post-maintenance testing showed strong EGT margin recovery, validating the restoration process.
The capability complements WLFC’s ConstantThrust® and ConstantAccess® programs, aims to reduce maintenance expense, improve turnaround times, and strengthen its vertically integrated engine lifecycle services including leasing, MRO, disassembly, and parts.
Positive
- Inaugural CFM56-7B restoration completed successfully
- Strong EGT margin recovery demonstrated in post-maintenance testing
- New in-house Willis Module Shop expands vertical engine lifecycle services
- Expected maintenance cost reduction per company statement
- Complements ConstantThrust and ConstantAccess to improve asset utilization
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, WLFC declined 3.37%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. This price movement removed approximately $47M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.34B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
WLFC was down about 0.7% while key peers were mixed: CTOS +1.29%, HTZ +1.35%, VSTS +0.7%, PRG -3.7%, RCII flat. With no peers in the momentum scanner, the move appears stock-specific rather than a coordinated sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 09 | Engine life program | Positive | +1.1% | Partnership to extend operational life of CFM56-5B/-7B engines. |
| Feb 04 | Customer contract win | Positive | +3.0% | ConstantThrust® deal for seven CFM56-7B engines with Nauru Airlines. |
| Jan 22 | Leadership appointment | Positive | +4.3% | Hired Head of IR & Capital Markets for Willis Aviation Capital. |
| Jan 20 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -4.3% | Declared <b>$0.40</b> per share quarterly cash dividend. |
| Jan 06 | New asset platform | Positive | +2.4% | Launched Willis Aviation Capital to manage third-party engine assets. |
Recent WLFC news has often seen positive price reactions, with only the dividend headline drawing a notable negative move.
Over the past months, WLFC has focused on expanding its engine lifecycle and capital platforms. On Jan 6, 2026, it launched Willis Aviation Capital to manage third-party aviation assets, tied to partnerships including a $1 billion Blackstone credit and up to $600 million Liberty Mutual strategy. Subsequent news on dividends, leadership for capital markets, and new ConstantThrust® and CFM56 engine programs generally coincided with modest positive price moves, framing today’s in-house module capability as another step in vertical integration.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands WLFC’s vertically integrated engine lifecycle platform by adding in-house core engine module restoration under the Willis Module Shop™ brand. It builds on recent initiatives such as CFM56 life-extension programs and asset management expansion, aiming to enhance control over maintenance costs and turnaround times. Investors may focus on how this capability affects long-term engine asset values, utilization, and returns, and how it complements programs like ConstantThrust® and ConstantAccess®.
Key Terms
exhaust gas temperature technical
engine module technical
mros technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Successful inaugural engine restoration demonstrates strong EGT margin recovery and supports fleet transition strategy
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Feb. 12, 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 the successful completion of its first core engine restoration at its U.S.-based Willis Engine Repair Center®. This new, in-house engine module restoration capability will be branded Willis Module Shop™.
The restoration of a CFM56-7B core engine module marks a key milestone in WLFC’s strategy to expand its internal technical and operational capabilities and validates the module shop concept. Post-maintenance testing of the inaugural module demonstrated strong exhaust gas temperature (EGT) margin recovery, reflecting the quality, precision and effectiveness of the class-leading restoration process.
As the aviation industry continues its transition from legacy to next-generation aircraft and engine platforms, this achievement further strengthens WLFC’s vertically integrated engine lifecycle offering. Willis Module Shop™ complements WLFC’s other programs like ConstantThrust® and ConstantAccess®, which enable customers worldwide to navigate fleet and engine asset transitions with confidence. Together, these capabilities provide reliable availability, predictable performance, disciplined core engine value restoration, improved asset utilization, cost efficiency and long-term portfolio returns.
“We have been doing module swaps and exchanges for years,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer of WLFC. “Bringing this core module restoration in-house allows us to further reduce maintenance expense both for ourselves and our customers, while enhancing our control, turnaround times and overall competitive advantage.”
WLFC continues to expand its aviation services platform, providing end-to-end support across the engine lifecycle, including leasing and trading, engine and aircraft MROs and disassembly, spare parts, consulting, and asset management.
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®, Willis Aviation Services Limited, and Jet Centre by Willis, 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.
| CONTACT: | Lynn Mailliard Kohler |
| Director, Global Corporate Communications | |
| (415) 328-4798 | |
| lkohler@willislease.com |
FAQ
What did WLFC announce on February 12, 2026 about Willis Module Shop?
Which engine module did WLFC restore in the inaugural Willis Module Shop work?
How will Willis Module Shop™ affect WLFC maintenance costs and operations?
How does Willis Module Shop™ complement WLFC’s ConstantThrust and ConstantAccess programs?
What broader services does WLFC provide that relate to the new Module Shop?
