IADA Market Report shows rising dealer confidence, preowned demand remains strong

Confidence among the world's leading accredited aircraft dealers increased during the third quarter of 2026.

Strong demand for preowned business aircraft, tight supplies of desirable models and extended manufacturer delivery backlogs continued to support a resilient global marketplace, according to the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Third Quarter Market Report.

IADA members rated current business aircraft sales market conditions at 3.62 on a five-point scale, up from 3.45 during the second quarter and 3.47 during the same period in 2025. Their assessments reflect firsthand experience with aircraft transactions, buyer behavior, pricing, inventory availability and changing market conditions. The report found that demand remained particularly strong for late-model, well-maintained aircraft, while limited supplies of quality inventory continued to strengthen sellers' negotiating positions.

"Buyers need expert guidance, and they are finding it with IADA Accredited Dealers and Certified Brokers. Many of the best aircraft now trade off-market through IADA Member relationships before ever being publicly listed," said IADA Executive Director Lou Seno.

"Overall, the market is strong and maturing, with buyers more selective and pricing increasingly tied to aircraft condition," he added.

The third quarter report draws upon the collective knowledge of IADA Accredited Dealers, Certified Brokers and Verified Products and Services Members operating throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. IADA Accredited Dealers undergo rigorous independent accreditation and annual reaccreditation. Their extensive experience, professional relationships and adherence to established ethical standards provide a distinctive perspective on the changing business aircraft marketplace.

IADA Dealer Transaction Activity Remains Strong

During the first nine months of 2026, IADA Accredited Dealers completed 1,155 aircraft transactions compared to the 983 transactions reported during the same period in 2025. Third-quarter transactions totaled 409, compared with 367 during the third quarter of last year.

New acquisition agreements increased during the first nine months, reaching 510, while dealer inventory purchases rose to 127 aircraft. The continued strength of IADA dealer activity is noteworthy against independent research indicating more restrained transaction activity in the broader preowned business jet marketplace.

IADA's results reflect the activity of experienced aircraft transaction professionals operating in a competitive marketplace where relationships, market intelligence and transaction expertise remain especially important.

Increasing Confidence Reflects Continued Demand

The third-quarter survey indicates that the preowned aircraft market remains fundamentally healthy, supported by strong financial markets, wealth creation, favorable US bonus depreciation provisions and limited availability of new aircraft delivery positions.

Manufacturer order backlogs extending several years have encouraged owners awaiting new aircraft to retain their existing airplanes, limiting the supply of desirable preowned aircraft. As a result, buyers seeking newer aircraft with specific configurations, favorable maintenance histories and lower flight hours frequently face limited choices and increased competition.

Measured on a five-point scale, with 1 favoring sellers and 5 favoring buyers, the latest reading represents the strongest seller advantage in almost three years. The trend is especially pronounced among late-model midsize and large-cabin aircraft, where limited supplies and sustained demand are supporting aircraft values.

IADA Dealers Provide Informed Market Perspective

The quarterly survey provides insight from professionals directly involved in business aircraft transactions, rather than relying exclusively on published listings or historical transaction data. IADA's Accredited Dealers and Certified Brokers frequently work with buyers and sellers before aircraft enter the public marketplace, giving them firsthand knowledge of emerging demand, potential aircraft availability, pricing expectations and developing transaction trends.

Their observations indicate that well-maintained, competitively priced aircraft continue to sell quickly, with some transactions completed through established professional relationships before aircraft are publicly advertised. Members also report that buyers are becoming more deliberate, paying closer attention to maintenance exposure, aircraft history, equipment, registration and long-term ownership costs.

The combination of limited inventory and increasingly sophisticated buyer requirements places additional importance on the experience and professional judgment of qualified aircraft transaction specialists.

Six-Month and 12-Month Market Outlooks Remain Favorable

IADA members anticipate continued demand for business aircraft during the next six months, particularly for late-model midsize and large-cabin jets, while their longer-term outlook points toward a generally stable marketplace over the coming year.

In a separate survey question addressing the next 12 months, IADA members projected generally stable business aircraft market conditions, with sentiment leaning toward improvement rather than softening. That longer-term assessment is particularly significant because it reflects the expectations of experienced dealers and other aviation professionals whose businesses depend on understanding aircraft availability, transaction activity, pricing and changing market dynamics.

Approximately 60% of survey respondents expect prices for preowned Large Jet+ aircraft to increase during the next six months, reflecting particularly limited inventory in that category. Across the four aircraft categories surveyed, turboprop, light jet, midsize jet and large jet, members generally expect prices to remain stable or increase modestly, while available inventory remains stable or declines slightly.

Approximately 30% of participating dealers expect to increase their willingness to acquire aircraft for inventory, reflecting continued confidence in underlying demand. Despite geopolitical uncertainty, operating cost pressures and ongoing supply chain constraints, the survey findings indicate a resilient marketplace supported by strong underlying demand and limited availability of desirable aircraft.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 29th October 2026 | Issue #864