Aircraft Inventory Numbers Only Tell Part of the Story

May 19, 2026

Assessing the preowned jet market through recent headlines can sometimes send mixed messages regarding available inventory and pricing.

So, what does the current landscape actually mean for aircraft buyers and sellers? The answer is a bit more nuanced than one or two specific statistics. Here is what people in the market to buy or sell an aircraft should know:

Inventory Remains Tight, Defying Expectations

Aircraft market specialists generally agree that when roughly 8% to 10% of the fleet is available for sale, it signals a healthy, well-balanced market. However, in 2026, the preowned market has remained historically tight.

Recent data shows that preowned business jet inventory actually fell by 12% year-over-year in early 2026. Today, only about 4% to 6.6% of the global business jet fleet is available for sale, remaining well below long-term historical averages. This tightening has been driven heavily by the large-cabin segment, though light and midsize jets have also seen significant inventory declines.

Inventory numbers do vary slightly depending on the age of the aircraft. Late-model aircraft (those under five to seven years old) are holding their value incredibly well and are increasingly hard to find, representing just over 2% of the available fleet. Conversely, the areas where buyers might find slightly more availability tend to be for models older than 20 years, as current owners seek to replace aging jets with more efficient, modern models.

Operating in a Resilient Market

Despite broader economic speculation, the preowned business jet market remains highly resilient. Average list prices actually rose 3% in the first quarter of 2026, and transaction activity remains well above the 10-year quarterly average.

While the unprecedented “instant sales” of 2021 have largely subsided, giving buyers slightly more time to research and compare aircraft, sellers of high-quality, late-model jets absolutely maintain the upper hand. With inventory still under 4% availability in many key segments, sellers can take advantage of this ongoing high demand to maximize their return.

It is an area where our experience at Hatt & Associates can assist buyers in identifying and securing the right aircraft to fit their specific needs, not just settling for what happens to be available. For sellers, our team can ensure your aircraft is promoted the right way to stay in front of qualified buyers worldwide. We are also equipped and willing to take the aircraft into our own inventory to facilitate a seamless transition for the seller.

Manufacturers’ Next Wave

Another factor to consider is that the inventory figures are and will be driven by new deliveries from the aircraft manufacturers, or OEMs. As they are able to deliver more of these next-generation aircraft to the market, especially in North America, that opens up preowned aircraft that would fit the needs of many buyers.

Now that customers are taking delivery of their new, next-generation Gulfstream and Bombardier models, we will see more of the previous generation coming to market as they are being replaced.

Will that be enough to get to the healthy 10% inventory mark? Probably not, but it will give buyers (and sellers) more options. Reach out to us to start the process of finding the next right aircraft, or learn how we may assist you in marketing a currently owned jet.