The International Aircraft Dealers Association’s (IADA) most recent perceptions survey revealed an emerging optimistic outlook amidst a stabilizing market. Conducted before the passage of the return of full bonus depreciation last month, the survey reflected improving confidence across most metrics compared with the first quarter.
IADA believes that the measure, providing for 100% expensing of new and preowned business aircraft purchased from January 20, could further boost market activity for the remainder of the year.
On a one-to-five scale, the score for buyers driving the market came in at 3.44, the strongest in a year on buyer influence and a signal that activity and control are increasing on the demand side, according to IADA. The six-month projection for the aircraft sales market increased from 3.20 in the first quarter to 3.42. In addition, the aircraft finance outlook increased quarter over quarter from 2.93 to 3.06, and the insurance outlook from 2.82 to 2.9 in the last three months.
Overall market rating remained stable at 3.07, while pricing is expected to remain steady, if not soften slightly, and supply is expected to tick up in all categories.
Market perceptions survey responses are gathered from a cross-section of IADA-accredited dealers, brokers, and product and service providers to measure confidence.
As for the stabilizing market, IADA dealers reported 136 new acquisition agreements in the second quarter, matching the activity of last year. However, exclusive retainer agreements to sell aircraft were down by 35% year over year (YOY). In 2024, such agreements had jumped by 39% from 2023.
Meanwhile, IADA dealers reported 1,338 dealer leads generated through the association’s AircraftExchange online marketplace, and average monthly listings were up 12% YOY in the first six months of 2025, while the volume of closed deals, 616, remained unchanged.
“We’re already seeing a measured and positive shift in market sentiment,” said IADA chair Phil Winters, v-p of aircraft sales and charter management for Greenwich AeroGroup and Western Aircraft. “Dealers are constantly adjusting, and while the second quarter wasn’t a blockbuster, many are now gearing up for a stronger second half due to bonus depreciation, and waiting to see how tariffs may impact some sales.”