Business aviation has always been influenced by external forces — interest rates, global conflicts, fuel prices, tax policies, and even shifts in corporate travel behavior. In 2025, this reality is front and center. Buyers and sellers are both navigating an environment where conditions can shift quickly, and yesterday’s assumptions may not hold tomorrow.

For aircraft owners, volatility creates both challenges and opportunities. Transactions can stall if buyers grow cautious, yet decisive players often find that uncertainty opens the door to favorable deals. For sellers, properly preparing an aircraft for market and staying realistic on pricing ensures momentum. For buyers, patience paired with agility is the winning formula.

Understanding how to respond — not react — to volatility is what separates successful participants from frustrated ones.

THE SOURCES OF VOLATILITY

Several forces are at play in 2025 that add complexity to the aircraft sales environment:

• Economic Indicators: Interest rates remain elevated compared to the last decade. This increases financing costs and forces buyers to carefully consider capital deployment.

• Fuel Prices: Global energy markets continue to fluctuate, creating swings in operating budgets. While not typically deal-breakers, higher fuel prices reinforce the importance of efficiency in aircraft selection.

• Geopolitical Events: Regional conflicts, shifting trade dynamics, and changes in international regulations create uncertainty for cross-border buyers and sellers.

• Tax Policy: With bonus depreciation stepping down and Section 179 limits under review, buyers are watching closely for potential changes that impact after-tax economics.

• Market Psychology: News headlines alone can slow or accelerate buyer confidence, regardless of actual fundamentals.

HOW BUYERS SHOULD NAVIGATE VOLATILITY

• Build Flexibility Into Deals: Structure acquisition financing that allows for prepayment without penalty, giving flexibility if market conditions improve.

• Prioritize Pedigree: Aircraft with strong records, on maintenance programs, and clear histories retain value better, even during downturns.

• Act on Opportunities: In uncertain markets, motivated sellers emerge. Well-prepared buyers can secure aircraft at below-peak pricing by moving quickly when the right deal surfaces.

• Look Long-Term: A aircraft is an operational asset, not a short-term trade. Buyers who focus on their 5–10 year mission profile can look past short-term volatility.

HOW SELLERS SHOULD NAVIGATE VOLATILITY

• Move Decisively: Waiting for “the perfect time” often backfires. If selling aligns with your financial or operational goals, it is better to act decisively than to risk further uncertainty.

• Stay Transparent: Buyers are more cautious in volatile markets. Comprehensive records, digital logbooks, and upfront disclosure reduce friction and build trust.

• Be Flexible: Offering creative solutions — such as helping with ferry/import costs, accommodating extended inspections, or considering creative financing — can differentiate your aircraft from similar listings.

• Maintain Presentation Standards: Professional marketing, photography, and representation demonstrate credibility and attract serious buyers, even when the market is choppy.

A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE

Volatility isn’t inherently negative. For opportunistic buyers, it can mean acquiring assets at more favorable terms. For sellers, it can highlight the scarcity of truly pedigree aircraft, helping those assets stand out. The key is to avoid paralysis. Deals continue to happen in every market cycle — but they favor participants who are informed, prepared, and agile.

Volatility is a permanent feature of the business aviation landscape. Those who understand its drivers and adapt accordingly will continue to succeed. Whether you are buying or selling, navigating uncertainty requires clarity of purpose, disciplined strategy, and trusted advisors.

At Holstein Aviation, we’ve guided clients through every cycle — from booms to downturns — helping them capture opportunities and mitigate risks. Our IADA-certified team leverages market intelligence, global networks, and decades of transactional expertise to ensure that volatility becomes an advantage, not a roadblock, in your aircraft sale or acquisition.