Willis Towers Watson Returns to Light and Recreational Aviation Market

This article is based on an official press release from Willis Towers Watson (WTW).

On January 27, 2026, Willis, a division of Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WTW), announced its official return to the light and recreational general aviation market. This strategic move marks the end of a 30-year hiatus from the sector and is designed to close a gap in the company’s global aviation portfolio.

According to the company’s announcement, the re-entry is enabled by the arrival of a specialist team from Crispin Speers & Partners (CSP). This expansion allows Willis to offer a comprehensive suite of insurance products ranging from major airline coverage down to individual recreational risks, effectively creating a “one-stop” shop for aviation clients of all sizes.

Closing the Portfolio Gap

Willis exited the light general aviation market in the mid-1990s, a period characterized by a global liability crisis that made the sector structurally unprofitable for many major brokers. By returning in 2026, the company aims to recapture this segment by leveraging modern technology and specialized expertise.

John Rooley, Head of Global Aviation and Space at Willis, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion in the company’s press statement:

“Our re-entry into the light and recreational general aviation sector closes a long-standing gap in Willis’s portfolio, enabling the delivery of an A-Z suite of insurance solutions. Clients can now benefit from a seamless, one-stop approach for all their aviation insurance requirements.”

Scope of New Offerings

The newly formed unit will focus on a wide variety of light aircraft and recreational risks. According to the press release, the expanded coverage capabilities now include:

• Microlights and gliders
• Hot air balloons
• Light fixed-wing aircraft
• Commercial Drones (UAVs)

In addition to hull and liability coverage for the aircraft themselves, Willis stated that the new offering includes commercial insurance solutions for non-aviation risk exposures tailored to these specific clients. This holistic approach is intended to service the full spectrum of a client’s needs, rather than isolating the aviation risk.

The Role of Technology and Expertise

A key enabler of this market re-entry is the integration of the team from Crispin Speers & Partners. The light aviation sector is often characterized by high transaction volumes and lower individual premiums compared to the airline market. To manage this profitably, efficiency is required.

Willis noted that the incoming team brings “established, turnkey services” underpinned by technology designed for the “prompt and efficient handling of a large volume business offering.” This technological infrastructure allows the brokerage to service thousands of smaller policies without the administrative bottlenecks that historically plagued the sector.

Historical Context

The return of a major player like Willis to the light general aviation market signals a shift in the sector’s stability. During the 1990s, escalating product liability costs and unpredictable jury awards in the United States forced many insurers and brokers to withdraw. The current market landscape, while still facing inflationary pressures on parts and labor, has stabilized enough to attract major capital back into the fold.

AirPro News Analysis

While the return to recreational aviation is significant, the explicit inclusion of “commercial drones” in the new portfolio suggests a forward-looking Strategy. The general aviation sector is no longer limited to hobbyists in gliders; it now encompasses the rapidly growing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) economy.

By securing a team capable of handling high-volume, tech-enabled underwriting, Willis appears to be positioning itself not just for the traditional light aircraft market, but for the burgeoning commercial drone sector. This area requires the exact type of low-friction, high-volume policy management that the new CSP team brings to the table.

Sources

• Willis Towers Watson Press Release