The Citation CJ1 continues to occupy a unique position in the light jet market, offering an attractive balance of operating efficiency, proven reliability, and modern avionics upgrade potential. It remains a popular choice for owner-pilots, corporate operators, and buyers moving into their first turbine aircraft. As inventory has tightened over the past several months, the CJ1 market has become increasingly favorable for well-maintained, competitively priced aircraft.
Fleet Size and Availability
There are currently 16 Citation CJ1 aircraft available for sale worldwide, including 1 off-market listing, representing 8.2% of the active fleet.
Inventory has declined steadily over the past six months, falling from 24 aircraft in February to just 16 aircraft today. This represents one of the more notable inventory contractions among legacy light jets and reflects healthy absorption as buyers continue to acquire quality aircraft.
Lower inventory generally provides sellers with a stronger competitive position, particularly for aircraft with desirable maintenance histories, engine program coverage, and avionics upgrades.
Market Listings
Current asking prices range from $1,300,000 to $2,400,000, with active listings averaging 233 days on market.
As always, pricing varies considerably depending on total time, engine enrollment, maintenance status, cosmetic condition, and avionics modernization. Garmin-equipped aircraft and those with recent paint, interior, or major maintenance events continue to command increased buyer attention.
Sales Activity
Over the past six months, 17 Citation CJ1 aircraft have sold, including 8 off-market transactions, representing 8.7% of the global fleet. Transaction values ranged from $1,200,000 to $1,900,000, while sold aircraft averaged 213 days on market.
Sales activity accelerated significantly beginning in March, with monthly transactions remaining consistently strong through June. Nearly half of all reported sales occurred off-market, highlighting the importance of broker networks and private buyer relationships in today’s CJ1 market.
Notably, sold aircraft averaged 20 fewer days on market than current active listings, reinforcing that well-priced, well-presented aircraft continue to transact efficiently despite a selective buyer pool.
Key Takeaways
• 16 Citation CJ1s are currently available worldwide, representing 8.2% of the fleet.
• Inventory has declined steadily over the past six months, creating a more balanced market.
• 17 aircraft sold during the reporting period, including an impressive 8 off-market transactions.
• Sold aircraft averaged 213 days on market, outperforming current listings.
• Buyers continue to prioritize maintenance history, engine program participation, avionics upgrades, and overall aircraft condition.
Key Insight
The Citation CJ1 market has quietly strengthened during the first half of 2026. Declining inventory, consistent transaction volume, and significant off-market activity all point toward healthy buyer demand. While purchasers remain disciplined in their evaluations, quality aircraft continue to find buyers at realistic market values. For current owners considering a sale, the CJ1 is positioned as one of the healthier segments of the legacy light jet market, provided the aircraft is presented and priced strategically.
