Brazilian fleet breaks 4-figures

opinion

by Alasdair Whyte

April 22, 2025

There is a real sense of confidence in the world’s second largest country for business jets. There are two reasons for this: demand is strong in Brazil, but, just as importantly, its experienced dealmakers know that it is a resilient market. They have coped with tough issues in the past and will do it again. The glass is full now, but even if it gets half empty, they know it will be filled up again soon.

The attendees at CJI Latin America in São Paulo this week are ready to help with any US tariff issues by moving aircraft to their region. They are used to tariffs.

The active Brazilian business jet fleet has just broken through a thousand aircraft according to ABAG, the country’s business aviation association. In March 2025 there were 1036 jets, up from 891 in March 2024. The turboprop fleet jumped from 1,847 aircraft in 2024 to 2,128 now. ABAG is confident that this year will see more than a million business aviation flight for the first time.

In the first quarter of 2025 some 203 jets and turboprops have been imported with just nine exported. “Brazil is actually outpacing US as a percentage of new aircraft coming into the fleet,” says Chris Lee, from 1^st Source, the US bank that has a strong aircraft finance business in the country.

Jose Brandao, group CEO of Brazil’s Synerjet, is optimistic. “Brazil is strong and we are seeing a steady increase in interest from other markets – some of which are effectively virgin markets.” Synerjet is active in 22 Latin American countries with a service centre network from Guatemala City to Buenos Aires. Brandao is bullish on Chile, Guatemala, Paraguay and Argentina. Synerjet delivered an aircraft in Argentina last week and feels the market is coming back now.

“Argentina is exciting and there is definitely a new range of owners coming in who are younger,” says Perla Fagundez, founder of Argentine operator AeroWise. “We have one owner who bought a Falcon and is now a turboprop pilot as well. We are seeing newer smaller jets come in as well as heavy jets.”

Brokers are seeing strong demand for pre-owned aircraft in Brazil. Traditionally a lot of jet buyers have come from the Brazilian agribusiness market (which is also a big buyer of piston and turboprop aircraft). This sector is still doing well and buying a lot of aircraft. But new buyers are also coming from retail, IT, finance and other industries.

“It was amazing to close two deals with two women buyers in the last six months– one was 25 years old and the other under 40,” said Denise Alonso, sales director, Southern Cross. “It is really exciting to see the market changing.”

No region is perfect and the Latin American market faces workforce shortages, needs to improve safety, harmonise regulation and taxes continue to be an issue. But this is something the people leading the market know they can work through.

Brazil has a large tax reform project at the moment with changes due in 2027. While tax simplification is needed, for now proposed legislation could be negative for business aviation. But no one is getting carried away. “Everyone needs to stay calm and check their anxieties. At the end of the day things will settle down,” says Sabine Schuttoff, senior tax partner, DDSA Advogados.

It could even lead to a short-term boost in sales. Ana Tormin, legal director, Timbro Trading, adds: “Everyone knows what to do now, so buy before the changes.”