ALTA Membership Expands with Addition of Surinam Airways and Willis Lease

Miami (February 28, 2013) – The Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) has recently welcomed Surinam Airways Ltd. and California-based Willis Lease Finance Corporation as its newest Airline and Affiliate Members, respectively. The entry of these two organizations brings the total of ALTA Members to a count of eighty-eight.

Surinam Airways Ltd., founded in 1962 to connect the people of Suriname domestically, has since expanded its routes with international destinations, striving for constant innovation and providing hospitable, customer-oriented service, especially as it relates to its routes schedules. The carrier has its headquarters in Paramaribo, Suriname and serves routes in the Caribbean, Europe, North and Latin America.

California-based Willis Lease Finance Corporation was founded more than 30 years ago and offers equipment and a wide range of services to commercial airlines and aircraft engine manufacturers worldwide. From its inception, Willis Lease was driven to develop a reputation for its pioneering and customer-driven qualities. It has been able to maintain its standing, currently holding one of the largest and most diverse engine portfolios in the industry, surpassing $1.5 billion in total assets covering most major engine makes and models. Willis is a long-established and versatile engine lessor that serves over twenty operators in Latin America and provides lease pool services to over 2,000 B737-800 and A320 aircraft around the world.

Charles Willis, CEO and Chairman of Willis Lease Finance Corporation commented, “I am very pleased to join ALTA, a proactive and solution oriented organization. I thoroughly enjoy exchanging ideas with airline CEO’s from such a dynamic area, as is the Latin America & Caribbean region.”

Alex de Gunten, Executive Director of ALTA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Surinam Airways and Willis Lease into the base of ALTA Members, which steadily and consistenly continues to develop. The Latin America and Caribbean Region is forecasted to grow at a rate that is much faster than the global traffic growth. ALTA and its Members continue to work together to promote initiatives that ensure the region and its stakeholders realize the full economic benefits made possible by aviation by removing barriers and promoting a safe and efficient industry.”