AINonline
• Amy Wilder
IADA’s market report finds dealer confidence strengthening versus the same quarter a year ago, even as overall inventory remains tight for business jets. The report also points to continued momentum in preowned bizjet sales, suggesting buyers are increasingly turning to the secondary market.
Aircraft Demand: Airline Distress & Consolidation
Latest source-backed stories
IADA’s market report finds dealer confidence strengthening versus the same quarter a year ago, even as overall inventory remains tight for business jets. The report also points to continued momentum in preowned bizjet sales, suggesting buyers are increasingly turning to the secondary market.
Global business aviation activity increased 4.2% in the first half of 2026, supported by strong gains in fractional flying across North America. The shift underscores continued demand for shared private-jet capacity and suggests fractional operators are outpacing broader market growth during the period.
ATR is evaluating a package of modifications to the ATR72-600 tailored to the U.S. market, including a forward passenger door and a configurable 50-seat three-class cabin. ATR director and president Americas Chris Jones said the company is also pursuing U.S.-specific certification upgrades to improve competitiveness.
High activity
Airbus’ specially equipped A350-1000ULR prototype has touched down in Australia for the first time after a ~19-hour non-stop flight from Toulouse, then returned via a transpacific route as testing continues. The ultra-long-haul program is building toward planned Qantas deliveries tied to world-record nonstop service attempts.
MHI RJ Aviation says it has begun work on options for a future regional aircraft that could eventually succeed the CRJ family, with a potential entry into service around 2040. The effort is positioned as a long-horizon response to CRJ fleet replacement needs.
Business aviation activity is rebounding strongly, with North America posting its highest level in four years and global traffic showing “booms” throughout 1H26, according to Argus. The update signals broad-based momentum across the corporate aviation market heading into the second half of 2026.
The Azores regional government—owner of Grupo SATA—plans to eliminate Azores Airlines (S4, Ponta Delgada) debt before launching a potential sale, Bloomberg reported. The approach includes converting about €160 million (USD 182 million) into equity in future Azores Airlines’ owner SATA Internacional to improve terms for prospective investors.
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