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Mid-Year Reality Check: The Health of the Citation Pre-Owned Markets
If you’ve been listening to the buzz about the Citation pre-owned markets, you’ve probably heard: “Lots of listings, but not a lot of sales.”
It’s a familiar refrain, but is it actually true?
Here at The Jet Agent, we track individual model Citation markets closely, and the real story might surprise you.
Now that we have passed the midway point of the year, let’s look at the numbers.
Citation Market Snapshot: A Year-Over-Year Comparison
When we examine the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, here’s what we find for the Citation markets and similar fleets:
As noted above, we’re seeing a 15% increase in Citation sales this year, despite slightly fewer new listings.
So much for the “slow market” narrative.
In fact, according to Aviation International News, Textron Aviation’s new jet deliveries are also up roughly 17% year-over-year. Clearly, buyers are still active.
So, what’s behind the perception that nothing’s moving?
Why the Market Feels Slower Than It Is
One big reason why the Citation market feels slow is that a growing number of listings are just sitting.
Take the Citation CJ4.
In the first half of 2024, Citation CJ4s, including the Gen2, averaged 116 days on market (DOM) before selling.
Now in 2025, the average DOM has jumped to 193 days.
Some of that slowdown is due to the April 2024 release of the windshield service bulletin (SB 525C-56-01), which made buyers more cautious as well as caused delays to the closing of some pending deals.
Still, even with more sales year over year (20 vs. 14), deals are taking longer to close, contributing to the sense of a stagnant market.
But it’s not just CJ4s.
Across multiple fleets, we’re seeing a backlog of listings with long market exposure. And there are typically three culprits:
- Damage history that sellers aren’t pricing for realistically.
- Weak presentation, including poor photos, bad pricing, or lackluster marketing.
- Brokers without a strategy for today’s shifting dynamics.
The Lesson for Jet Owners
Yes, perception matters, but data tells the real story. And right now, serious buyers are very much in play.
What’s changed is that they’re more selective, and the margin for error when bringing an aircraft to market has shrunk.
If your aircraft isn’t moving, it’s probably not the market; it’s the presentation.
That’s why now, more than ever, who you work with matters.
At The Jet Agent, we specialize in buying and selling within the Citation family of aircraft. We understand what buyers are looking for, what turns them off and what it takes to get your aircraft sold quickly and for top value. Even in a market where similar models are stalling.
Whether you’re preparing to sell, considering an upgrade, or simply want to understand where your aircraft stands in today’s market, we’re here to guide you. Let’s start the conversation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anders Garbe is the Operations Director at The Jet Agent, where he keeps every aircraft transaction running smoothly with expert oversight, precise market data, and seamless processes. A key player on the team, Anders ensures that every deal is backed by the latest market intelligence, helping clients make informed decisions in the fast-moving world of preowned jet sales.
Since joining The Jet Agent as its first employee, Anders has been instrumental in shaping the company’s research and transaction processes. From tracking aircraft values to verifying maintenance programs, he leaves no detail unchecked. His deep understanding of more than 10 Citation models and his ability to spot industry trends make him an invaluable resource for buyers, sellers, and the entire brokerage team.
While he’s a private pilot, his career has spanned industries, including automotive and financial services, before finding his niche in aviation.
Beyond his work at The Jet Agent, Anders is an active leader in the business aviation community. He serves on the leadership board of the Aircraft Researchers Group, organizing monthly industry discussions and the group’s signature NBAA networking event. He’s also a member of the National Business Aviation Association, Citation Jet Pilots Association, National Aircraft Finance Association and Arizona Business Aviation Association.
ABOUT THE JET AGENT
The Jet Agent helps clients navigate the complex world of jet acquisitions and sales with confidence. The Jet Agent is in the top 5% of aircraft brokers worldwide by transaction volume and ranks as the #1 seller of Citation M2s and CJ3s. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with offices in Denver, Dallas and Sacramento, The Jet Agent is dedicated to elevating the aircraft brokerage experience with expert guidance and concierge-level service.
