Industry Insights

By Fiona O’Malley, VP Fleet Acquisitions, Jetcraft Commercial

For many airlines, fleet planning is increasingly being dictated by which aircraft are available, and when. According to IATA, the commercial aircraft order backlog reached 18,100 in May 2026, equivalent to almost 60% of the active global fleet. The industry is also operating with an estimated shortfall of around 5,600 aircraft compared with pre-pandemic delivery trends.

For operators looking to renew their fleets or add capacity, waiting several years for a new aircraft is not always an option. Increasingly, conversations are focused on what is available now and how quickly it can be put to work.

A successful aircraft transaction starts with understanding exactly what an airline needs. From there, it is about having the market knowledge and resources to respond.

Sourcing the right aircraft

Every aircraft acquisition is driven by demand. An operator has a requirement – an aircraft that can handle short run...

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Attributed to Philip Baer, Sales Director – South Central USA, Jetcraft 

There aren’t many places where hearing “Sorry, there’s no room at the hangar” is considered a sign of success. 

Across parts of Texas, though, that’s becoming an increasingly familiar conversation. As more businesses establish operations across the state and private investment continues to grow, demand for business aircraft has followed. Between 2021 and 2026, the number of business aircraft based in Texas grew by 226, bringing the state’s total to more than 12% of the US fleet, the second largest share after Florida. In some locations, finding somewhere to base a newly acquired jet is becoming almost as challenging as finding the right aircraft. 

It’s an issue that says as much about the Texas economy as it does about business aviation. 

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Headlines from the last few months suggest the business aviation market has begun to lose momentum. But at Jetcraft, that’s not what we see playing out.

While some industry data seems to indicate a slowdown, we’re currently running around 15%ahead of our deal count at the same point last year. And the recent Q2 IADA report backs that up.

A stabilized market, not a weaker one

With the post pandemic rush slowing down and the aircraft manufacturing build-base increasing, we are seeing a very rational, healthy market re-establish itself.

During the pandemic, the pre-owned industry became the only realistic option for many buyers. Demand surged just as supply dramatically tightened. Aircraft manufacturerproduction slowed, delivery slots stretched years into the future and buyers who needed an aircraft immediately had little choice but to turn to the secondary market.

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The African aviation market is often described as having high-growth potential.

That growth is underway, but it is constrained by a structural gap. Demand for air travel is rising across the continent, yet connectivity remains limited in many regions.

With 54 countries and widely dispersed population centres, as well as limited transport alternatives, aviation is essential to economic activity and mobility across the continent. African airlines recorded the strongest international traffic growth of any global region in January 2026, with demand increasing 11.7% year-on-year, and yet, African operators still account for a small share of the global commercial fleet. The market is still catching up rather than reaching maturity, with demand building quickly whenever routes are introduced and capacity is added. The opportunity lies in enabling airlines to respond to this demand in a scalable way.

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In the special missions sector, timing shapes outcomes. Whether deployed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), border security, emergency medical services or government transport, aircrafts capability is often required at speed.

This urgency directly influences acquisition strategy. Increasingly, the pre-owned market plays a critical role in circumstances where availability and platform continuity are critical.

At Jetcraft, our global insight into the pre-owned aircraft market gives us a clear view of how these pressures are reshaping procurement decisions. Below, we explore why pre-owned aircraft are becoming an increasingly strategic choice for special missions operators, and what to consider when selecting the right aircraft.

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With the business climate constantly reacting to global events, it’s hard to predict the future. Uncertainty makes planning difficult, which is why adaptability and creativity are essential to buying or selling your aircraft. The key is to react when opportunity in the market appears and develop innovative ways to address evolving challenges.  

Adapting to global conditions   

The pre-owned aircraft sector is showing greater stability following a period of contrasts, with the market benefitting from continued buyer confidence.   

Delays in new aircraft deliveries, sometimes for up to two years, are also driving demand for pre-owned aircraft, as buyers seek alternatives to these long wait times. However, as demand increases, so does the value for newer, used models.  

Sustained pre-owned activity across all regions in 2025, and into 2026, shows the industry’s adaptability.  Much of this activity was afforded by OEM delays and buyers who prioritised availability, while still navigating a delicate business climate created by tariffs and geopolitical conditions. 

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In commercial aviation, adaptability is now the key to growth. Passenger demand remains robust, and is forecast to rise a further 4.9% in 2026 compared to 2025, yet airlines are navigating one of the most supply-constrained markets in recent history. 

OEM backlogs now extend well into the next decade, aftermarket shortages persist, aircraft parts values are soaring, and geopolitical shifts continue to influence fleet decisions. In this environment, long-term fleet strategies alone are no longer sufficient. 

Airlines must adopt a more tactical approach, balancing immediate capacity requirements against aircraft availability, asset pricing and financing realities, and are increasingly turning to leasing and the pre-owned market to bridge the gap. 

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In a competitive and increasingly complex market, innovation is no longer optional. Aircraft transactions continue to involve multiple jurisdictions, shifting regulations and evolving buyer expectations. Navigating that environment requires experience, coordination and the ability to respond quickly when conditions change.

At Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) London in February, discussions reflected this reality. Conversations ranged from geopolitical pressures affecting cross-border deals to the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping how our industry operates. Underpinning both themes was a common thread: adaptability.

The importance of a global team

The market does not pause during periods of uncertainty. Buyers and sellers continue to move, and transactions continue to span regions. As a result, the ability to operate across borders has become fundamental rather than advantageous.

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Attributed to Laurence Vidal, Sales Director – South America

Designed for intercontinental travel, large jets offer more than luxury, providing global reach and the ability to stay productive at 40,000 feet. Whether for business or personal use, these aircraft deliver a seamless transition from air to ground, helping owners manage their time and operations on their own terms.

What defines a large jet?

With seating for 10–19 passengers and ranges of up to 8,000 nautical miles, large jets are engineered to connect continents with ease. This category includes aircraft from leading OEMs, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault. From the Global 7500 and 8000, to the G700/G800, and Dassault’s Falcon 7X, 8X and 10X, each model combines long-range capability with advanced design and technical precision.

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