IADA Q3 2026 Market Report: Dealer Confidence Rises to 3.62 as Pre-Owned Business Jet Demand Stays Strong

Confidence among accredited aircraft dealers worldwide rose in the third quarter of 2026, according to the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Q3 Market Report. IADA members rated current business aircraft sales market conditions at 3.62 on a five-point scale, up from 3.45 in the second quarter and 3.47 in the same period of 2025. The report cites strong demand for pre-owned business aircraft, scarce supply of sought-after models and long manufacturer delivery lead times as factors sustaining a resilient global market.

Demand stayed particularly high for recent-model, well-maintained aircraft, while limited quality inventory continued to strengthen sellers' negotiating position. On a five-point scale where 1 favors sellers and 5 favors buyers, the latest indicator shows the strongest seller advantage in almost three years, especially in recent-model mid-size and large-cabin aircraft. The survey attributes market health to solid financial markets, wealth creation, favorable U.S. bonus depreciation provisions and limited delivery slots for new aircraft.

IADA accredited dealers completed 1,155 aircraft transactions in the first nine months of 2026, versus 983 in the same period of 2025. The third quarter accounted for 409 transactions, compared with 367 in the third quarter of 2025. New acquisition agreements reached 510 over the nine months, and dealer purchases of aircraft for their own inventory totaled 127 units. IADA notes that independent studies point to more moderate activity in the broader used business jet market.

IADA CEO Lou Seno said: "Buyers need expert advice, and they find it in IADA accredited dealers and certified brokers. Many of the best aircraft are marketed off-market, through the relationships of IADA members, even before they are advertised." He added that the market is solid and maturing, with buyers more selective and pricing increasingly dependent on aircraft condition. Members also report that buyers are paying closer attention to maintenance, aircraft history, equipment, registration and long-term ownership costs.

Looking ahead, IADA members expect demand for business aircraft to hold over the next six months, especially for recent-model mid-size and large-cabin jets, and foresee generally stable conditions over the next 12 months, with a tilt toward improvement rather than weakening. About 60% of respondents expect pre-owned Large Jet+ prices to rise within six months. Across the four categories surveyed (turboprops, light jets, mid-size jets and large jets), members generally expect prices to stay stable or edge up, while available supply remains stable or slightly lower.

The IADA Market Report combines monthly actual transaction data reported by IADA accredited dealers with the association's quarterly Perspective Survey. The survey is distributed to more than 1,000 IADA members worldwide, including accredited dealers, certified brokers, aircraft manufacturers and verified product and service providers.

IADA accreditation involves an independent process with annual renewal.

The pattern in this report is a market where supply, not demand, sets the pace. When manufacturer backlogs run several years, buyers who need an aircraft soon turn to the pre-owned market, and that concentrates competition on the small pool of recent-model, well-documented airframes. Sellers of those aircraft hold the leverage, while older or less well-maintained airplanes face a buyer base that is, by the dealers' own account, more selective.

The data also carries a built-in limitation. The transaction counts come from accredited dealers, a subset of the market, and IADA itself notes that independent studies show more moderate activity across the broader used business jet segment. Dealer sentiment and dealer volumes can therefore run ahead of the wider market, particularly at the top end where the strongest seller advantage is reported.

The next indicator is the following quarterly Perspective Survey. Its seller-versus-buyer reading for mid-size and large-cabin aircraft, and whether the roughly 60% expecting Large Jet+ price increases holds, will show whether the current tilt is persisting or beginning to ease.