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 behaviour 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 three per cent year-over-year and more than 10 per cent above pre-COVID levels. “Business jet activity continues to grow year on year,” states Richard Koe, managing director of WingX, a JETNET company. “Underscoring a systemic expansion of the user base over the last five years.” The US 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 per cent 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 per cent compared to the first half of 2024. Notably, newer jets with modern features and low time continue to command premium prices despite an overall nine per cent decline in asking prices.

“The market is maturing into a more thoughtful, resilient phase,” explains 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, representing an eight per cent 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-favourable 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, with three per cent fewer large jets and three per cent more light jets included in the inventory compared to H1 2024; high-value transactions remain active, with the top recorded sale reaching $67.5 million; and fractional ownership and jet card programmes continue to attract pandemic-era entrants.

JETNET iQ analysts note that while macro-economic conditions, such as easing inflation and the return of 100 per cent 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,” says Rolland Vincent, JETNET iQ creator/director. “We are operating on a permanently higher baseline, with increased utilisation and durable interest from new customer segments.”

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