Market Momentum Holds Firm: What the Data Really Says
As we enter the final quarter of 2025, the numbers tell a clear story: the business jet market isn’t cooling—it’s evolving. Despite talk of broader economic uncertainty, demand for high-quality preowned aircraft remains firm, supported by favorable depreciation policy, tight inventory, and disciplined pricing.
A Market Defined by Strength and Selectivity
The IADA Q3 2025 Market Report reveals that accredited dealers recorded a 15% year-over-year increase in acquisition agreements, marking the most active third quarter since 2021. At the same time, nearly 90% of IADA members expect the market to remain stable or strengthen into the first quarter of 2026—underscoring continued optimism among those closest to the transactions.
According to the Jefferies October report, used business jet inventories are down 7% year-over-year, with light jet availability dropping 13%. Even as demand remains strong, pricing discipline is holding: average asking prices rose roughly 2% this quarter, led by models from Textron and Embraer that continue to attract owner-operators for their reliability and predictable operating costs.
What’s Driving the Activity
Several key dynamics are sustaining this momentum:
- Bonus Depreciation Return: The reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation has reignited year-end demand from business owners and corporations seeking capital efficiency.
- Normalized Supply: While overall inventory levels have improved slightly from post-pandemic lows, the best aircraft—late-model, low-time, program-enrolled—continue to sell quickly, often off-market.
- Confidence in Asset Value: With OEM production stabilized and resale values remaining resilient, owners are viewing late-model Citations and similar aircraft as dependable capital assets, not speculative ones.
These factors have shifted the market from frenzied to focused. Buyers are more discerning, but they’re also more decisive once the right aircraft appears.
The Jet Agent Perspective
From our vantage point, 2025 has been a year of precision buying—where access to off-market opportunities and deep transactional knowledge have separated successful acquisitions from missed chances.
“It’s no longer about finding a jet—it’s about finding the right one, with the right pedigree, and executing with speed and clarity.”
— Denise Wilson, The Jet Agent
What’s Ahead
Looking into early 2026, the IADA Market Forecast projects a stable transition into the first half of the year, with pricing expected to hold firm as inventory remains constrained. Buyers entering Q1 should not expect steep discounts, but those with flexibility and representation may find selective value once the year-end rush fades.
In short: the market has matured, not softened. The opportunities now belong to those equipped with data, experience, and a clear strategy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Denise Wilson, CAM, is the founder and President of The Jet Agent. Wilson has more than 25 years of experience in all facets of the aviation industry. This includes 20+ years of flying Citations and other jets in both business aviation and commercial operations, and 18 years assisting clients in the acquisition and sales of jet aircraft.
She previously served as founder & CEO of Desert Jet, collectively consisting of an aircraft acquisitions and sales division, a jet charter and management company, a jet maintenance business, and a popular FBO featuring a newly built private terminal, Desert Jet Center. Under her leadership, the company grew exponentially, ranking on the Inc. 500 list of the nation’s fastest growing, privately-owned companies five consecutive years.
As a jet aircraft broker and acquisition consultant, Wilson provides concierge-level acquisition representation, aircraft sales, and coaching to clients. She authored the Amazon #1 Bestseller “The Insider’s Guide to Buying and Selling Jets.”
