AMSTAT Q3 Preowned Report: Heavy and Super-Midsize Jets Tighten While Medium, Light Jets and Turboprops Soften
Why It MattersPreowned values now diverge by segment: scarce inventory props up heavy and super-midsize jets, while thinner transaction volume and falling median values mark the light-jet and turboprop segments.
What happened
AMSTAT has released its review of preliminary third-quarter preowned aircraft activity, which shows the market moving in different directions by segment. The report was published ahead of NBAA-BACE 2026, scheduled for October 20–22 in Las Vegas. Andrew Young, general manager of AMSTAT, said Q3 data was still coming in at the time of print, and that heavy and super-midsize jets continue to benefit from limited supply and strong demand, while transactions softened in Q3 for medium jets, light jets and turboprops.
For heavy jets, preowned inventory appears to have plateaued after contracting in the first half of the year. Only 5.1% of the fleet is for sale, against a 10-year average of 7%, and buyers have even fewer options among newer aircraft. Year-to-date transactions through the end of Q3 are 7.3% higher than in the same period of 2025, and the median value of preowned heavy jets is up 14% year to date.
Super-midsize jet inventory has risen gradually after contracting significantly in Q4 2025. Year-to-date sales are 11.7% above the same period of 2025. Median values, which had risen since 2025, have recently levelled off and are up 2% year to date.
Medium jet inventory is up nearly 10% year to date, while transaction activity has slowed; preliminary data shows year-to-date sales almost 6% behind 2025. Median values are nonetheless up 4% year to date. AMSTAT will be at Booth #2531 at NBAA-BACE 2026.
Light jets and turboprops
Light jet inventory has been relatively steady, with about 7% of the fleet for sale versus a 10-year average of 8.9%. Transactions were strong in the first half of 2026 but fell 26% in Q3 compared with Q3 2025, and year-to-date transactions are expected to finish about 6.2% below 2025. Median preowned values are down 4% year to date.
Turboprop inventory declined for much of the year before reversing over the summer and is now largely unchanged year to date. About 5% of the fleet is for sale, compared with a 10-year average of 5.8%. Sales were robust in the first half of 2026, but preliminary Q3 transactions are down 47% versus Q3 2025, and year-to-date activity is expected to be about 9% below 2025. Median values are down 5% year to date, although the pace of decline has slowed in 2026.
Industry impact & what to watch
The preowned market is no longer moving as one block. Heavy jets show the classic tight-supply pattern: a small share of the fleet for sale, rising transactions and a 14% year-to-date gain in median value. Buyers in that segment face few choices, and sellers hold pricing power.
Super-midsize and medium jets sit in a middle position. Super-midsize inventory has grown and values have levelled off, yet sales remain ahead of 2025. Medium jets show the reverse mix, with inventory up nearly 10%, sales lagging and values still modestly higher. That combination often precedes a price adjustment if inventory keeps building while sales stay slow.
Light jets and turboprops carry the clearest softening, with sharp Q3 transaction drops following strong first halves and median values below where they began the year. Because AMSTAT notes the Q3 figures are preliminary, the final quarter-end data will show how much of that Q3 drop holds.
