If we look back over the past decade or so with regard to the private business jet market, omitting a few unusual Covid years, the ultra-long range large cabin segment always enjoys a strong finish in the pre-owned space which normally starts around the time of NBAA in October and begins to accelerate around Thanksgiving. Then in December, those markets tend to reach a feverish pace, usually culminating in strong year end closings. This was certainly the case with Avjet Global Sales, as another record year was set with sales of pre-owned Gulfstreams and Bombardier Globals.
However, over the past decade, with a few exceptions, usually everyone worries about the great “sucking sound” in January when all the remaining buyers go home so to speak and regroup. That was the question at the start of this month from analysts and brokers. Additionally, prices usually rise in December and when other owners who had been sitting on the fence the year prior with regard to selling get wind of higher prices, inventory starts replenishing itself in the first couple of weeks in January and throughout Q1. Lastly, new offers and deals usually evaporate in January.
If the first two weeks of January are anything to go by this trend has likely been broken at the start of 2026. First off, inventory is literally zero in some pre-owned markets, such as the G650/G650ER, Global 7500, and G600 where at best one or two options may exist. Secondly, another good barometer is email blasts on several platforms, which in the December month before tend to see huge spikes in “aircraft wanted” posts, that then totally disappear in January. This is clearly not the case as we start 2026, as in some markets such as the G650/G650ER, the number of these email blasts is actually up on December of last year. We’ve never seen that before.
Most brokers Avjet has spoken to over the past two weeks who have active listings in this segment report a strong flow of inquiry traffic, showings and written offers. While two weeks does not mark any sort of confirmed trend the signs are encouraging in the ultra-long range large cabin space remains strong and that there exist a strong pool of qualified buyers who missed out on the year end rush but have lost no enthusiasm at the start of 2026.