Preowned business aircraft transactions in the second quarter diminished slightly year over year, according to the latest report by industry data analyst Amstat. The company noted that while transactions for business jets and turboprops dipped 2.4% from the same period a year ago, the rate of transactions for the quarter was still historically strong, exceeding the 10-year quarterly average by 7.4%. While inventory levels continue their rise to 6.5% of the active fleet, they remain below the 10-year average of 7.6%.
Broken up by segment, heavy jet transactions for the quarter declined by more than 4% compared to a year ago, but year-to-date (YTD) sales activity is up by more than 17%. Inventory reached 6.8% of the active fleet in this segment.
Super-midsize jets surged by 14.6% over second-quarter 2024, with YTD growth better than 25%. For midsize jets, YTD transactions rose by 15.5% with a slowing growth of inventory and higher asking prices. Light jets declined by 5.3% in the quarter, but YTD growth remains strong at 17.7%. Turboprop activity is up 8.2% from a year ago.
“The second quarter’s mild pullback should be viewed in the broader context of a resilient and active preowned market, particularly given the record-setting first quarter,” said Amstat general manager Andrew Young. “Our data suggests that strong demand, pricing adjustments, and inventory growth are creating a dynamic yet balanced market environment.”