Business Aviation Sees Increased Activity and Price Stabilization in Mid-2025 Market Snapshot

Overview of the Mid-2025 Business Aviation Market

The business aviation industry is currently experiencing a shift in dynamics, as highlighted in JETNET's recent Mid-2025 Market Snapshot. With an enduring post-pandemic recovery, this sector is moving towards a more stable and sustainable model characterized by consistent activity and moderate pricing adjustments.

Key Findings

According to the report, global business jet usage has seen a growth of approximately 3% year-on-year and is now over 10% higher than pre-COVID levels. This expansion indicates a significant increase in the user base over the last five years, particularly within the United States, which continues to lead the market recovery.

Business aviation expert Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX, noted: "Business jet activity continues to grow year on year," highlighting the systemic expansion following a previously volatile market phase.

Despite a slight downturn in European traffic after an impressive summer in 2024, the overall global flight volume emphasizes the continued value and appeal of private aviation, which remains resilient in fluctuating economic climates.

Inventory and Pricing Dynamics

Pre-owned business jet inventory has increased modestly by 1.3% from January to June 2025. Even with this uptick, inventory levels remain below historical averages, maintaining a seller-friendly environment in the market. Notably, the average age of listed aircraft has reached 22 years, which contributes to longer sales cycles for these assets. However, the appetite for acquisition remains strong — whole-aircraft transactions increased by 13.3% compared to the first half of 2024. Buyers are willing to pay premium prices for newer jets featuring modern amenities and lower flight times, even as overall asking prices have dropped by around 9%.

Paul Cardarelli, Vice President of Sales at JETNET, stated that the market appears to be evolving into a more discerning and resilient phase. Buyers are becoming more selective, but transaction volumes continue to be elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting the establishment of a new normal in the sector.

In the first half of 2025, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) successfully delivered 455 new business jets, with projections indicating a total of 820 deliveries by year’s end. This marks an encouraging 8% increase from the previous year, although the market exhibits some signs of price softening along with historically high values.

Trends Moving Forward

While inventory levels are not yet reaching pre-2020 averages, the report suggests that current conditions are creating a favorable scenario for sellers. Days on Market (DOM) for jets increased from 184 days in H1 2024 to 220 days in H1 2025, reflecting augmented buyer caution and deliberation. Additionally, there has been a shift in the inventory mix, with a 3% decrease in large jets and an equivalent increase in light jets compared to the same period last year.

High-value sales remain robust, with the highest recorded sale of $67.5 million showcasing the market's strength and potential. Fractional ownership models and jet card programs are increasingly attracting new entrants, especially those influenced by pandemic-era dynamics.

Economic Influences

Analyzing the broader economic landscape, JETNET iQ analysts have pointed out that while easing inflation and a return of bonus depreciation continue to propel the market, global uncertainties and shifts in policies pose ongoing risks. Looking ahead to the latter half of 2025, maintaining the current trends of elevated usage, healthy transaction pace, and moderate pricing corrections are anticipated, supported by structural shifts within the market.

Factors contributing to these changes include an increasingly younger and diverse customer base and a wider acceptance of fractional ownership models

Rolland Vincent, Director/Creator of JETNET iQ, remarked that the post-pandemic environment has redefined what is considered 'normal' in business aviation, establishing a higher baseline characterized by greater utilization and sustainable interest from a broader array of customer segments.

Conclusion

The full Mid-2025 Market Snapshot from JETNET provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the business aviation sector. As companies adapt to the evolving market conditions, understanding these trends is critical in ensuring continued growth and success in this dynamic field.

For further details on the Mid-2025 Market Snapshot, visit JETNET.