Preowned business aircraft transactions increased by 14% in the second quarter year over year (YOY) and are ahead by 6% through the first half of the year, according to business aviation data analyst Amstat. However, this comes as the median value of aircraft on the market has dropped 18% over the past 12 months and 12% since the beginning of the year, Amstat reported, citing an increase in available inventory and softening demand.
Looking at preowned business jets, transactions were up 15% YOY in the second quarter and were 9% above the five-year average. For the first half, transactions increased by 7%. At the same time, inventory has increased by 23%, with 7% of the active fleet available.
Amstat named the Gulfstream G550 and G450, Embraer Legacy 600, and Bombardier Challenger 604 as leading in the transactions among the heavy jet models. Transactions jumped by 27% in this category in the second quarter, but values were down by 15% and inventories up 21%.
In the super-midsize segment, values fell even more, by 21%, and inventory has surged by 40% YOY. For the first half, super-midsize transactions also showed strong gains of 24%. In the midsize-jet segment, the Hawker 800XP and 850XP led the transactions. Median values in this segment is down 20%, inventory up 16%, and the number of transactions increased 10% in the second quarter.
Light jets have seen a 21% drop in value, as well as an increase in inventory. Similar to the midsize-jet segment, light-jet transactions were up 10% in the second quarter. As for turboprops, transactions have increased by 11%, inventory swelled by 28%, and values slid by 12%.
Meanwhile, in the rotorcraft sector, single-engine turbine helicopter transactions are up by 11%, inventory is still below the 10-year average, and asking prices increased by 5%. Asking prices have jumped by 24% YOY for multi-engine turbine helicopters, with the Agusta A109E and Bell 212 leading the way in transactions.