‘Market moving in different directions’: AMSTAT Q3 preowned activity report
AMSTAT will be at Booth #2531 during NBAA-BACE 2026.
AMSTAT has released its review of preliminary third-quarter (Q3) preowned aircraft activity, indicating a market moving in different directions depending on segment.
Published in the build up to NBAA-BACE 2026 which will run October 20th–22nd in Las Vegas, US, the data points to tight supply and rising values in heavy and super-midsize jets, while several other categories are showing softer transaction activity.
“While at print we still have Q3 data coming in, the data so far indicates that the market is moving in different directions by segment,” said Andrew Young, general manager of AMSTAT. “Heavy and super-mid jets continue to benefit from limited supply and strong demand, while transactions have softened in the third quarter for medium jets, light jets and turboprops.”
Heavy jets
Data shows preowned heavy-jet inventory appears to have plateaued after contracting during the first half of the year. Although the pace of contraction has slowed, just 5.1% of the fleet is for sale, compared with a 10-year average of 7%. Buyers have even fewer options among newer aircraft, said AMTSAT in a press release.
Transaction activity remains robust. Through the end of Q3, year-to-date transactions were 7.3% higher than during the same period in 2025. Tight supply and strong demand continue to exercise upward pressure, the median value of preowned heavy jets is up 14% year to date.
Super-midsize jets
Preowned super-midsize inventory has risen gradually after contracting significantly in Q4 of 2025. Inventory is up 11.4% year to date.
Transaction activity remains strong with year-to-date sales 11.7% higher than during the same period in 2025. Median values, which had risen since 2025, have recently levelled off and are only up 2% year to date.
Medium jets
There are more preowned medium jets available than earlier in the year, with inventory up nearly 10% year-to-date. At the same time, transaction activity has slowed. Preliminary data indicates that year-to-date sales are running almost 6% behind 2025. Despite this, median values are up 4% year to date.
Light jets
Preowned light-jet inventory has remained relatively steady throughout much of the year. About 7% of the fleet is for sale, compared with a 10-year average of 8.9%.
Light Jet preowned transactions were strong in the first half of 2026 but fell 26% in Q3 compared with Q3 2025. As a result, year-to-date transactions are expected to finish about 6.2% below 2025. With supply steady and demand slowing, it is not surprising that median preowned values have declined 4% year to date.
Turboprops
Preowned turboprop inventory declined for much of the year before that trend reversed over the summer. Inventory is now largely unchanged year to date. About 5% of the fleet is for sale, compared with a 10-year average of 5.8%.
Sales were robust in the first half of 2026, but preliminary Q3 transactions are down 47% compared with Q3 2025. Year-to-date activity is therefore expected to be about 9% below 2025. Median values have declined since 2025, though the pace of decline has slowed in 2026; values are down 5% year to date.
AMSTAT will be at Booth #2531 during NBAA-BACE 2026.
