The pre-owned business aircraft market closed 2025 with growth for the fourth consecutive year, and the first half of 2026 showed an even sharper rise. Tight supply against steady demand has shifted the balance toward sellers. Here are the numbers and what sits behind them.
2025 results
Per the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), its accredited dealers closed 1,630 deals in 2025 — the fourth consecutive year of increased annual transactions. The association represents around 7% of the world's dealers, but they account for roughly 40% of global pre-owned sales.
The association's fourth-quarter report described the market as resilient and active: strong year-end demand, favourable tax policy and improved financing conditions. Dealer sentiment in Q4 was the highest recorded that year.
First half of 2026
Momentum accelerated. Per IADA, closed pre-owned business aircraft transactions rose 21% year on year to 746 in the first half of 2026. Acquisition agreements among accredited dealers rose 8%, while dealer inventory purchases surged 87%.
Another figure is telling: price reductions in listings fell 11% — the fewest since the metric was first tracked in 2023. Dealer confidence sits noticeably above last year's level.
Tight supply
The key factor is a narrow market. By the end of June 2026 about 6.5% of the active jet fleet was listed for sale, against a ten-year average of 8.1%. Younger, higher-value aircraft are trading, while older machines linger in listings.
The drivers of demand are described as durable: US tax incentives, equity market conditions, long OEM order backlogs and acceptable financing terms. Until manufacturers clear their backlogs, the pre-owned market remains under demand pressure.
The role of brokers in transactions
Intermediaries dominate transaction arrangement: per market data, around 82% of listings are represented by brokers or dealers. Yet only a small share of closed sales record them as the seller — meaning in most cases they act as intermediaries rather than title holders.
This reflects a normal market structure: the seller engages a specialist for valuation, marketing and transaction support, and the buyer for sourcing and vetting. Direct owner-to-owner deals remain the exception, especially in the upper segments.
Who accredited dealers are
IADA brings together dealers and brokers of pre-owned business aircraft who have passed accreditation. Requirements include verification by an independent firm, an examination for certified brokers, continuing education and adherence to the association's code of ethics.
The practical value of accreditation for a client is verified competence of the intermediary in a transaction where mistakes cost millions. The association's reports, in turn, provide a rare source of aggregated data for this market, since most transactions are private.
What it means for buyers and sellers
For sellers conditions are favourable: fewer price reductions and a higher share of deals in younger aircraft point to a seller's market. For buyers it means more competition for quality aircraft and less room to negotiate.
The practical takeaway for a buyer is to prepare in advance: define requirements, secure financing and be ready for a prompt pre-purchase inspection. In a tight market the winner is whoever can decide and close without delay.
«A market with supply below its ten-year average is a seller's market. In that situation a buyer's speed of decision matters more than haggling over the last percent.»
— Alexey Mordvintsev, CEO of JetHunter
Author: Alexey Mordvintsev, CEO of JetHunter, President of the Association of Professionals of Executive Aviation Industry (APIDA). Over 14 years in the industry.
