NBAA 2014 a good show for aircraft brokers
NBAA is gradually drawing to a close and it has been a good one. A lot of the brokers located on the sweltering asphalt desert of Orlando Executive Airport say they have seen good quality prospects and the souk in the convention centre has been busy.
It has been a good year so far for brokers. Large brokers like Avpro, Freestream and Jetcraft are on target to have record years and Mike Dwyer of Guardian Jet is even forecasting that we may see a rise in pre-owned prices. “I can’t remember the last time I have said that,” he says.
Scott Ernest, CEO of Textron Aviation, is also optimistic but not getting carried away. He says they are seeing positive signs from different US industries. Crucially they are also seeing more interest in pre-owned aircraft. “Eight months ago is we had a good used Citation we would hold it for six months before we sold it,” says Ernest. “Now it does not touch the ramp.”
After years of people talking about recovery, there are real signs that it may finally be starting. One word of caution though. Airshows exist in a bubble (you could argue that Orlando does as well). The US market is much stronger than it has been for the last five years, but you don’t have to look hard to find bad news in other parts of the world.