How Economic Groundwork Is Positioning the Business Aviation Market for Growth
As 2026 begins, many aircraft owners and buyers are asking the same question: What does the next year hold for business aviation?
While the past year brought its share of uncertainty, it also laid critical groundwork across the broader economy and within the aviation sector. At Swartz Aviation, our perspective is shaped not by speculation, but by real transactions, active buyers, and evolving aircraft demand.
Here is what owners, buyers, and sellers can expect.
1. 2025 Was About Positioning, Not Pausing
Despite volatility late in the year, 2025 was not a retreat for business aviation. It was a year of structural setup.
Across the economy, policy shifts, infrastructure investment, manufacturing incentives, and trade adjustments focused on long-term capacity rather than immediate stimulus. In aviation, this resulted in:
- Buyers are becoming more deliberate and selective
- Sellers are recalibrating expectations, particularly for aging aircraft
- Increased attention on tariffs and international transactions
- Demand is concentrating around newer, in-production platforms
Periods like this often feel slower on the surface, but historically they precede stronger expansion cycles.
2. 2026: When Economic Momentum Begins to Circulate
As we move into 2026, many of the initiatives implemented over the past year are beginning to take hold in the economy.
Increased infrastructure spending, construction activity, and investment capital do not remain isolated at the top. They circulate across industries. When liquidity expands, aviation demand often follows quickly.
Historically, this environment supports:
- Business expansion and fleet growth
- New entrants into private aviation
- Aircraft upgrades rather than deferrals
- Stronger demand for efficient, modern aircraft
When confidence improves, aviation is often one of the earliest beneficiaries.
3. Aircraft Demand Is Shifting, Not Slowing
One of the clearest trends we are seeing is where demand is concentrating.
Stronger activity continues to favor:
- Newer generation aircraft
- In production and recently delivered models
- Platforms with strong OEM support and global liquidity
- Aircraft that support growth-oriented owners
This includes turboprops and light jets moving upmarket, as well as strong transaction volume in mid- and super-midsize jets.
By contrast, older legacy aircraft, although still relevant for certain missions, are no longer driving market velocity as they once did. Buyers are increasingly selective, and resale timelines for aging platforms are extending.
For owners, timing and positioning matter more than ever.
4. Complexity Is Creating Opportunity
Tariffs, import rules, and international transactions continue to create hesitation for some buyers, but that hesitation is also producing opportunity.
Aircraft that are overlooked due to perceived complexity often represent strong value when navigated correctly. Owners and buyers who understand how to structure these transactions can access inventory that others pass over.
As activity increases in 2026, experience navigating these details will become a meaningful advantage.
5. Why Strategic Guidance Matters Heading Into 2026
Market transitions reward owners who act with clarity rather than urgency.
Understanding when to sell, what to buy, and how to position an aircraft in a shifting market can materially impact outcomes, especially as transaction volume accelerates and demand becomes more selective.
At Swartz Aviation, our role is to help clients move forward with confidence, supported by real data, real market experience, and transparent guidance.
Looking Ahead
If 2025 was about building the foundation, 2026 is shaping up to be about execution.
We expect:
- Increased transaction velocity
- Continued premiums for well-positioned, newer aircraft
- A new wave of owners entering aviation and moving upmarket
- A clearer divide between desirable assets and those left behind
The market is evolving, but for informed owners, the opportunity is growing.
Considering a sale, acquisition, or market repositioning in 2026?
Schedule a consultation with Swartz Aviation to discuss how these shifts may impact your aircraft and your next move.
