With December 2025 transactions up more than 60% year-over-year, securing the right aircraft now requires speed, access, and a disciplined acquisition strategy.
The business aviation market has entered a period that rewards preparation and penalizes hesitation. December 2025 closed with more than 60 percent higher transaction volume than December 2024, a striking year-over-year increase that confirms what many buyers already feel firsthand. Demand for business aircraft is not cooling. At the same time, available inventory has become increasingly scarce, particularly for well-maintained, mid-time aircraft with clean histories and desirable avionics.
For buyers, this is a challenging equation. More transactions mean more competition. Less inventory means fewer acceptable options. The result is a market where attractive aircraft are identified quickly, negotiated aggressively, and often sold before they ever appear on a public listing. In this environment, the traditional do-it-yourself approach to aircraft acquisition carries more risk and delivers fewer results.
This is precisely why professional aircraft acquisition services have become essential rather than optional. At Elliott Jets, our acquisition services are designed to give buyers a measurable advantage in a market defined by speed, scarcity, and complexity.
The Data Behind Today’s Tight Market
The increase in transaction activity at the end of 2025 did not happen in isolation. Several structural forces are shaping the current market.
First, demand remains broad-based. Corporate flight departments, high-net-worth individuals, charter operators, and first-time buyers continue to enter the market. Many of these buyers are driven by the same priorities: schedule control, productivity, and the ability to reach destinations efficiently. Those priorities have not changed, even as acquisition conditions have become more competitive.
Second, aircraft owners are holding onto assets longer. Higher replacement costs, long lead times for new aircraft, and uncertainty around future availability have reduced the number of sellers willing to list their aircraft publicly. When owners do decide to sell, they often prefer discreet, off-market transactions that minimize disruption and maximize certainty.
Third, the gap between asking price and true market value has narrowed. In past cycles, buyers could afford to wait, negotiate, and test the market. Today, well-priced aircraft rarely linger. In many cases, the first qualified buyer with the ability to move quickly can secure the deal.
Together, these forces have created a market where access and execution matter more than ever.
Why Public Listings No Longer Tell the Full Story
Many buyers still begin their search by monitoring public listing sites. While this can provide a general sense of market activity, it represents only a fraction of available opportunities.
A growing percentage of aircraft transactions now occur off-market. These aircraft are never advertised publicly. Instead, they are quietly offered through trusted industry relationships, brokers, and advisors who know which owners may be willing to sell under the right circumstances.
Off-market aircraft are often attractive for several reasons:
•They may be better maintained, with consistent service history and stable ownership
•Sellers are frequently motivated by timing or strategic considerations rather than price alone
•Competition is limited, reducing the risk of bidding wars
Without professional representation, most buyers will never know these aircraft exist. Access to off-market opportunities is one of the most important advantages an experienced acquisition team can provide.
The Risks of Going It Alone
Attempting to acquire an aircraft without professional acquisition support exposes buyers to several risks that are magnified in today’s market.
Limited visibility. Buyers working independently are restricted to what they can see publicly or uncover through informal conversations. This narrow view often results in missed opportunities or settling for an aircraft that is not an ideal fit.
Pricing risk. In a fast-moving market, understanding true market value requires constant analysis of closed transactions, not just asking prices. Overpaying or misjudging value can have long-term financial consequences.
Inspection and technical exposure. Pre-purchase inspections are complex and time-sensitive. In a competitive environment, buyers may feel pressure to shorten inspection timelines or overlook issues to remain competitive.
Negotiation disadvantage. Experienced sellers and brokers understand how to structure deals in their favor. Buyers without representation often lack leverage when it matters most.
Professional acquisition services exist to manage these risks and protect the buyer’s interests at every stage of the process.
What Aircraft Acquisition Services Really Do
Aircraft acquisition is not simply about finding an airplane. It is a disciplined, end-to-end process designed to align mission requirements, market conditions, technical realities, and financial objectives.
At Elliott Jets, our acquisition services typically include:
•Defining mission requirements and narrowing the aircraft profile
•Analyzing market data and recent transactions
•Identifying on-market and off-market opportunities
•Approaching owners discreetly and professionally
•Evaluating aircraft history, maintenance status, and configuration
•Structuring offers and negotiating terms
•Coordinating inspections, contracts, and closing
Each step is interconnected. A misstep early in the process can create costly problems later. Our role is to manage the entire lifecycle of the acquisition with precision and accountability.
How Elliott Jets Solves the Inventory Problem
In a market where inventory is tight, solving the acquisition challenge requires creativity, persistence, and credibility.
Off-market sourcing. Elliott Jets maintains deep relationships across the industry, including aircraft owners, operators, maintenance providers, and other brokers. These relationships allow us to identify potential sellers before an aircraft is formally offered for sale.
Proactive outreach. Rather than waiting for listings, we actively approach owners of aircraft that meet our clients’ criteria. This proactive strategy often uncovers opportunities that would otherwise remain invisible.
Market intelligence. Our team closely tracks transaction data, pricing trends, and buyer behavior. This insight allows us to advise clients on when to move quickly and when patience may still be rewarded.
Credibility with sellers. Sellers are more willing to engage when they know a buyer is represented by a professional, experienced firm. Elliott Jets’ reputation helps open doors and facilitates serious conversations.
Speed Without Sacrificing Discipline
One of the defining tensions in today’s market is the need to move quickly without making poor decisions. Buyers often feel pressure to act before fully understanding an aircraft’s condition or value.
A professional acquisition team helps balance speed and discipline. At Elliott Jets, we streamline the process without cutting corners. We know which questions must be answered immediately and which issues can be resolved later without jeopardizing the deal.
This approach allows our clients to remain competitive while still making informed, confident decisions.
Negotiation in a Seller-Favored Market
Negotiation looks different when demand exceeds supply. While leverage may favor sellers, effective negotiation is still possible with the right strategy.
Our team focuses on:
•Structuring offers that appeal to seller priorities, not just price
•Using market data to support valuation discussions
•Identifying non-price concessions that create value for the buyer
•Managing timelines to avoid unnecessary escalation
Even in a strong seller’s market, disciplined negotiation can produce favorable outcomes.
Beyond the Transaction
Aircraft acquisition does not end at closing. Decisions made during the acquisition process affect operating costs, resale value, and long-term satisfaction.
Elliott Jets considers the full lifecycle of ownership. We help clients think beyond the immediate purchase to factors such as maintenance planning, future upgrades, and eventual resale strategy.
This long-term perspective ensures the aircraft continues to serve the client’s needs well after the transaction is complete.
Why Buyers Are Choosing Professional Acquisition Services
The increase in transaction volume and decrease in inventory have fundamentally changed buyer behavior. More buyers are recognizing that acquisition services are not an added expense but a strategic investment.
Professional representation can:
•Reduce acquisition risk
•Improve access to desirable aircraft
•Save time and internal resources
•Protect long-term value
In many cases, the cost of acquisition services is more than offset by improved pricing, better aircraft selection, and avoided mistakes.
The Elliott Jets Approach
Elliott Jets brings experience, discipline, and integrity to every acquisition. We work exclusively for the buyer, with a singular focus on securing the right aircraft under the right terms.
Our team understands that each client’s mission is unique. Whether acquiring a first aircraft or expanding an existing fleet, we tailor our approach to meet specific operational and financial goals.
In a market where demand is up and inventory is down, expertise matters.
Winning in a Competitive Market
The data is clear. December 2025 saw more than 60 percent growth in aircraft transactions compared to the prior year, and inventory remains tight heading into 2026. Buyers who rely solely on public listings and informal processes are at a disadvantage.
Aircraft acquisition has become a competitive endeavor that demands access, insight, and execution. Elliott Jets’ acquisition services are designed to give buyers those advantages.
In a market where the best aircraft move quietly and quickly, the right partner can make all the difference.