Fort Lauderdale business aircraft dealer-broker SmartJets expects a strong Q4 2026, with the business jet market characterised by high transaction volumes and large manufacturer backlogs.

Ultra-high-net-worth individuals and corporate flight departments are principally driving the trend. In response to buyer demand for maximum range and optimal cabin capacity, the long-range business jet segment is expected to see the fastest growth.

Long wait times for new aircraft deliveries are causing some buyers to look more favourably at pre-owned long-range business aircraft. Transactions are up 7 per cent year to date (H1 2026 over H1 2025), according to AMSTAT. The combination of immediate availability and a price discount relative to new aircraft is creating scarcity of select models while simultaneously driving up prices.

Ben Shirazi, president of SmartJets, says: “What’s remarkable is that growth is being driven by the pinnacle of the market. The demand for new, long-range business aircraft is high and backlogs are significant. The result is that many buyers are looking at top tier pre-owned business aircraft as alternatives.”

In the last year, SmartJets has sold or acquired several Bombardier Globals, including a 7500, as well as Gulfstream G550s and Dassault Falcons including an 8X.

Shirazi adds: “The discounts can be very significant and the value of these aircraft is excellent but the challenge is finding one. We do not see a reversal of the current trends of decreasing supply and rising prices.”

Another key factor for US-based buyers is bonus depreciation, a tax incentive that allows businesses to deduct 100 per cent of the cost of an aircraft in the year it is purchased. Bonus depreciation typically drives Q4 sales for buyers wishing to file expenses before year end. Since 15 September, it has also been a driver for Canadian buyers.