Honeywell’s 34th annual Global Business Aviation Outlook predicts 8,500 new business jets worth US$283 billion will be delivered over the next 10 years, the highest figure in the report’s history, with an average annual growth rate of 3%.
New business jet deliveries in 2026 are expected to be 5% higher than in 2025. Among operators surveyed, 20% globally have at least one aircraft on firm order, up from 17% a year ago, with the figure rising to 28% among Part 135 and equivalent charter operators.
Fractional ownership continues to drive industry growth, with fractional fleets expanding more than 65% since 2019 to roughly 1,300 aircraft. Light, midsize and super-midsize jets account for 80% of fractional fleets. Among operators of wholly owned aircraft, 12% also hold fractional shares, with a further 15% considering purchasing them.
Flight activity is also rising, with business jet flight hours up approximately 3% year on year in 2025 after a flat period between 2023 and 2024. Growth is driven primarily by private operators and fractional companies, while corporate flight departments continue to lag as they seek to optimize costs. Looking ahead, 28% of operators plan to fly more next year, with 64% expecting to fly about the same.
North America is expected to receive roughly 70% of new jet deliveries over the next three years, followed by Europe at 14%, Latin America at 7%, Asia-Pacific at 5% and the Middle East and Africa at 3%. In Europe, 29% of operators have at least one aircraft on firm order, above the global average.
Operators reported that the return of 100% bonus depreciation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to spur additional purchase activity. Aircraft performance remains the top purchase priority at 89% of respondents, up from 82% last year, with range the single most important specification. Cost ranked second at 56%.
On sustainability, 81% of operators believe more fuel-efficient aircraft and engines are at least moderately effective in achieving sustainability goals, while 61% said the same of SAF. Among those taking proactive steps, 60% are acquiring more fuel-efficient aircraft and 56% are using SAF, with cost and availability remaining the biggest barriers.
The report was compiled using macroeconomic analysis, OEM production data and surveys of 312 non-fractional operators representing 1,199 aircraft worldwide, conducted in partnership with Seefeld Group and Ad Hoc Research.
