The pre-owned aircraft market is shrinking, and it’s not just a blip on the radar—it’s a trend that’s raising eyebrows across the industry. But here’s where it gets controversial: while inventory levels are dropping across all segments, the pricing trends are anything but uniform. Jets and turboprops are seeing prices dip, while piston-single aircraft prices seem to be stuck in neutral. What does this mean for buyers and sellers? And why are Robinson piston helicopters bucking the trend with rising prices? Let’s dive in.
Sandhills Global, a leading information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, has released its latest market reports, shedding light on these trends. These reports, available on platforms like Controller.com, Controller EMEA, and Charter Hub, provide detailed insights into inventory and pricing for pre-owned jet aircraft, piston-single aircraft, turboprop aircraft, and Robinson piston helicopters. The data reveals a clear contraction in inventory levels across all markets, but the pricing story is far more nuanced.
And this is the part most people miss: Sandhills’ proprietary tool, AircraftValuation, powered by the same technology behind the Value Insight Portal (VIP and VIP+), offers unparalleled accuracy in asset valuation. This tool is widely trusted across industries, from equipment and trucks to trailers, and now aviation. The key metric in these reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI), which helps buyers and sellers monitor market conditions and make informed decisions.
Market Report Highlights
Global Used Jet Aircraft: Inventory levels dropped by 2.88% month-over-month (M/M) and 14.6% year-over-year (YOY) in January, continuing a downward trend. The used large jet category saw the sharpest M/M decline at 5.09%, while super mid jets led YOY drops at 16.67%. Asking prices fell by 0.85% M/M and 2.86% YOY, with mid jets and large jets experiencing the largest decreases.
U.S. and Canada Used Piston-Single Aircraft: Inventory fell by 5.44% M/M and 22.39% YOY, extending a six-month decline. Asking prices showed a marginal drop of 0.07% M/M and 0.83% YOY, trending sideways.
Global Used Turboprop Aircraft: Inventory levels decreased by 2.4% M/M and 11.78% YOY, while asking prices rose slightly by 0.18% M/M but fell 2.62% YOY.
Global Used Robinson Piston Helicopters: Inventory dropped by 5.88% M/M and 7.69% YOY, trending sideways. However, asking prices climbed by 5.53% M/M and 5.37% YOY, maintaining an upward trajectory.
Bold Question: Why are Robinson piston helicopters defying the broader market trend with rising prices? Is this a sign of niche demand, or something more? Share your thoughts in the comments!
For those eager to explore these trends further, Sandhills Global offers detailed analyses and visualizations in their full reports. To obtain these, contact them at [email protected].
About Sandhills Global
Sandhills Global connects buyers and sellers across aviation, construction, agriculture, and commercial trucking through trade publications, websites, and online services. Their integrated approach to hosted technologies helps businesses of all sizes operate efficiently and grow securely. With tools like the Sandhills EVI, they provide actionable insights into market dynamics, helping stakeholders navigate the complexities of supply and demand.
The Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI)
The EVI is a critical tool for understanding the estimated market values of used assets across industries. Powered by VIP+ and AircraftValuation, it offers a comprehensive view of market conditions, helping users make data-driven decisions. Whether you’re in aviation, construction, or trucking, the EVI provides the insights you need to stay ahead.
Final Thought-Provoking Question: As inventory levels continue to fall, will we see a shift in pricing trends across all aircraft categories? Or will certain segments remain resilient? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
