The Jet Agent, an Arizona-based aircraft brokerage specializing in Cessna Citations, has noted changes in the market across the airframer’s product range. According to company founder and president Denise Wilson, the CJ4 light jet has seen a surge in availability over the past year, with inventory more than doubling from 20 to 43. One factor she attributes to this rise is a recently issued service bulletin regarding windshield frame issues.
However, the market for its sibling CJ3+ remains tight, with just barely more than 3% of the in-service fleet on the market. Wilson noted that earlier serial numbers are in high demand from buyers looking to purchase them for sub-$8 million prices.
That variability continues toward the OEM’s lower end, with the M2—which historically has seen brisk turnover—experiencing an increase in inventory, rising from 27 on the market a year ago to 40 currently. On the other hand, inventory of the out-of-production Mustang very light jet dropped from 39 at the beginning of 2024 to 21.
“The preowned Citation markets remain healthy, but we’re seeing notable shifts,” said Wilson. “While models like the Citation CJ2 are experiencing high inventory levels with extended time on the market, other models like the Citation XLS are in limited supply, with only 2.7% of the fleet currently available. Understanding these trends is essential for making informed buying and selling decisions.”
Since the beginning of September, 152 preowned Citations have changed hands, with the U.S. and Canadian markets accounting for 118 of them. Wilson explained that for buyers seeking to close on purchases by the end of the tax year, there is a preference for ready-to-fly aircraft.
Among older aircraft, popular upgrades include Wi-Fi improvements and avionics modernization such as the Garmin G600TXi and GFC 600 autopilot on the CJ2.
While scheduling shop time for such upgrades before the end of the year could prove challenging, “Sellers can still boost their aircraft’s value with small improvements like cosmetic touch-ups and ensuring their logbooks are complete and organized,” said Wilson.