Business Aviation Enters a New Phase: Elevated Activity and Stabilizing Prices Define Mid-2025 Market

PR Newswire
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 4:35pm UTC

Business Aviation Enters a New Phase: Elevated Activity and Stabilizing Prices Define Mid-2025 Market

PR Newswire

UTICA, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- JETNET, the leading provider of business aviation market intelligence, released its Mid-2025 Market Snapshot: Business Jet Inventory, Pricing, and Activity. The business aviation market is transitioning from the post-pandemic boom to a more balanced and sustainable growth phase, according to the newly released report from JETNET. The report presents a detailed analysis of flight activity, inventory trends, pricing dynamics, and buyer behavior for the first half of the year, offering a comprehensive outlook for the remainder of 2025.

Flight activity remains robust, with global business jet usage up approximately 3% year-over-year and more than 10% above pre-COVID levels. "Business jet activity continues to grow year on year," stated Richard Koe, Managing Director of WINGX, "Underscoring a systemic expansion of the user base over the last five years." The United States continues to lead the recovery, driven by demand from charter and fractional operators. Despite a slight dip in European traffic following a high-profile 2024 summer, global flight volumes underscore the enduring value of private aviation.

Pre-owned inventory rose modestly—up 1.3% from January through June—while remaining below historical norms. The average age of listed aircraft reached 22 years, contributing to longer sales cycles. Still, demand remains strong, with whole-aircraft transactions rising 13.3% compared to the first half of 2024. Notably, newer jets with modern features and low time continue to command premium prices despite an overall 9% decline in asking prices.

"The market is maturing into a more thoughtful, resilient phase," said Paul Cardarelli, Vice President of Sales at JETNET. "Buyers are more selective, and the frenzy has cooled, but activity remains elevated, especially compared to pre-pandemic levels. This suggests we're seeing a new normal, not a retreat."

OEMs delivered 455 new business jets in the first half of the year, and forecasts project 820 total deliveries for 2025—an 8% increase year-over-year. Backlogs remain strong, and while pricing is showing signs of softening, values remain historically high.

Additional highlights from the report include:

  • Inventory levels remain well below the pre-2020 average, supporting a seller-favorable environment.

  • Days on Market (DOM) rose from 184 days in H1 2024 to 220 days in H1 2025, reflecting increased buyer deliberation.

  • Aircraft mix is shifting: 3% fewer large jets and 3% more light jets were included in the inventory compared to H1 2024.

  • High-value transactions remain active, with the top recorded sale reaching $67.5 million.

  • Fractional ownership and jet card programs continue to attract pandemic-era entrants.

JETNET iQ analysts note that while macro-economic conditions—such as easing inflation and the return of 100% bonus depreciation—have helped support financing and transactions, global uncertainties and policy shifts remain potential wildcards.

Looking ahead, H2 2025 is expected to extend current trends: continued elevated usage, a healthy pace of transactions, and moderate pricing corrections. Structural shifts, including a younger and more diverse customer base, broader adoption of fractional models, and stronger brand visibility for private aviation, position the industry for continued resilience.

"The post-pandemic landscape has redefined what's 'normal' in business aviation," said Rolland Vincent, JETNET iQ Creator/Director. "We are operating on a permanently higher baseline, with increased utilization and durable interest from new customer segments."

The full Mid-2025 Market Snapshot is now available from JETNET.

About JETNET
As a leading provider of market research and data for the global aviation market, JETNET delivers comprehensive and reliable insights to customers worldwide. JETNET is the ultimate source of fixed wing and helicopter fleet information, including transaction data, market intelligence, flight data and analytics, and industry forecasts. Headquartered in Utica, NY, JETNET offers comprehensive, user-friendly aircraft and flight data via APIs and real-time web applications.

For information on JETNET and our exclusive services, visit www.jetnet.com or contact Paul Cardarelli, JETNET Vice President of Sales, at 800.553.8638 (USA) or paul@jetnet.com, or Karim Derbala, JETNET Managing Director of Global Sales at +41 (0) 43.243.7056 (Europe) or karim@jetnet.com.

About JETNET iQ
JETNET iQ is an aviation market research, strategy, and forecasting service for the business aviation industry. JETNET iQ also provides independent, Quarterly intelligence, including consulting, economic and industry analyses, business aircraft owner/operator survey results, and new aircraft delivery and fleet forecasts. JETNET iQ is a collaboration between JETNET LLC and Rolland Vincent Associates LLC of Plano, Texas, an aviation market research consultancy.

About WINGX
WINGX, a JETNET company, is a renowned provider of aviation data analysis, offering advanced analytics solutions to the business aviation industry. With a strong focus on actionable intelligence and custom insights, WINGX enables clients to transform data into a strategic advantage, driving growth and innovation.

Media Contact:
Justine Strzepek
justine@jetnet.com

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SOURCE JETNET LLC