- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC, Financial) expands with a new two-bay narrowbody maintenance hangar at Teesside International Airport.
- The facility will create numerous highly-skilled jobs and address a significant demand for aircraft heavy maintenance services.
- WLFC partners with local institutions to establish training programs for mechanics and apprentices, ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline.
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) is making strategic strides with the construction of a new two-bay narrowbody hangar at Teesside International Airport in Northeast England. This state-of-the-art facility, managed by its subsidiary Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL), is designed to support the maintenance of 737 and A320 family aircraft, including new-generation models.
This significant expansion is a timely response to the global and European shortage of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity, as current providers struggle to meet the exceptionally high demand. Airlines face challenges in securing maintenance slots, often having to book well in advance.
WLFC's expansion at Teesside is set to generate numerous highly-skilled jobs in the region. To support this workforce growth, WASL is collaborating with local universities and colleges to launch comprehensive training programs for mechanics and apprentices. This initiative not only addresses immediate operational needs but also establishes a sustainable framework for long-term skill development.
According to Austin C. Willis, CEO of WLFC, the expansion aligns with the company's broader commitment to creating hundreds of jobs in the region while enhancing their integrated service offerings. This approach supports both third-party clients and WLFC's managed assets, promoting economic growth in the communities served.
