Aircraft scarcity is strengthening the case for the secondary market says Raphael Haddad, President of pre-owned commercial aircraft and engine trading, Jetcraft Commercial.
Amid geopolitical tensions, resulting airspace restrictions and rising cost pressures, commercial air carriers are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.
While these immediate challenges understandably dominate headlines, the industry continues to grapple with deeper structural constraints. Persistent supply chain disruption – including OEM delays, MRO bottlenecks, and shortages of serviceable components (particularly engines) – is driving extended maintenance timelines and significant backlogs.
For airlines, reducing operations or deferring fleet growth is rarely viable, particularly in a market where passenger demand remains strong. With new aircraft delivery timelines stretching up to five years, and engine values soaring, operators are being forced to adapt. This means extending the life of existing assets and turning to the secondary market as the most immediate and practical source of capacity.
A procurement power shift
Before the current backlog, aircraft procurement was largely defined by predictable delivery timelines and negotiating power. Operators held the advantage as they knew what they were getting and when, and it was the OEMs who competed for orders.
Today, that dynamic has reversed. Aircraft availability, rather than demand, has become the defining constraint, and with it, control has shifted. Crucially, this is not just about airframes, but engines. A shortage of serviceable engines has grounded hundreds of aircraft globally, making access to serviceable engines a key determinant of market power.
The implications are significant: airlines are now competing for immediate capacity, driving up lease rates and forcing operational workarounds. At the same time, lessors and secondary market suppliers (those with access to mid-life aircraft, engines and serviceable assets) are in a stronger position.
In a market defined by scarcity, immediacy is no longer a convenience, it is a strategic advantage.
The secondary market as a tool for growth
More than 200 airlines worldwide are now actively acquiring used aircraft, not as a stopgap, but as a core part of fleet planning. These aircraft allow operators to plug immediate capacity gaps and support network expansion, particularly in emerging markets. Increasingly, transactions are structured to include engine availability, either through bundled assets or associated leasing solutions, a nod to how vital serviceable engine availability is.
Leasing, in particular, has become a key enabler. Airlines are turning to operating leases and short- to medium-term agreements to secure mid-life aircraft and engines quickly. This strategy allows carriers to prioritise flexibility over long-term commitments.
How the industry will evolve
Forecasting a return to “normal” is a fruitless exercise. In an environment defined by constrained supply and uncertain geopolitical influence, access to the right assets will continue to drive decision-making for airline carriers.
Operators that can act quickly, adapt fleet strategies, and secure aircraft through alternative methods, such as through leasing or from pre-owned trading specialists, will be best positioned to maintain growth and expand operations.
Jetcraft Commercial’s activity reflects this shift, helping bridge supply and demand through the efficient sourcing and placement of aircraft, even in constrained market conditions. Recent transactions, such as the placement of CRJ 1000s for Air Nostrum, highlight our ability to deliver immediate, tailored capacity solutions in response to evolving operational demands. We’ve also had the privilege of supporting smaller, start-up airlines such as Basra Airlines by providing access to aircraft that might have otherwise been inaccessible.
With a global footprint and deep-rooted industry relationships, we are uniquely positioned to identify and secure available assets, often before they reach the open market.
In today’s market, success is defined by the ability to act decisively. For airlines navigating ongoing disruption, the right partner with connections and the agility to unlock opportunities can make all the difference.
