Andrew VanderPloeg
Andrew is a graduate of Bentley University and the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. He founded Intrepid Jets coming from a background in corporate finance and accounting, strategy, and project management - having served in privately-held business, and "parachuting" into aviation to work for a vertically integrated corporate aviation company.
Not All Aircraft Charters Are Created Equal: What the Market Isn’t Telling You
Midway through 2025, the aircraft charter market isn’t moving in lockstep. Andrew VanderPloeg explains what’s really happening behind the numbers, and what it means for owners and operators.
Midway through 2025, the aircraft charter market remains robust in the U.S., though Tuvoli data shows activity is down slightly compared to last year (-1.77%).
But as always, the charter market is not a monolith.
All aircraft are not created equal, and neither are their demand curves.
Take a closer look, and divergence emerges:
- Light Jet traffic is down -8.5% year-to-date through mid-June
- Turboprop volumes are off even more
- Midsize, Super-Mid and Heavy Jets have seen year-over-year increases
The takeaway?
The charter market, within those jet categories, isn’t necessarily on equal footing.
Each category moves on its logic of demand, pricing and buyer psychology.
From our vantage point in the charter trenches, here are three signals worth watching:
1. Increased Competition, Even in Strong Segments
- Aircraft charter operators are getting sharper on pricing, even in categories showing growth.
- Operators are asking for “last look” more frequently, even on larger aircraft.
- Charter clients are benefiting as carriers fight harder to retain share.
- Some aircraft owners are noticing that their contribution margins may be shrinking, even with more hours booked.
2. Owners Opting Out of the “Drama”
More aircraft owners are reevaluating their Part 135 participation. And some are walking away entirely.
Why?
- Charter revenue simply isn’t material enough to justify the complexity.
- Personal use is being compromised, with aircraft often unavailable when needed.
- Flexibility—the very reason many bought—starts to feel like fiction.
As one owner put it: “I didn’t buy a jet to be told when I can’t use it.”
3. Aircraft Downtime Disrupts Everyone
While downtime disruption isn’t a new trend, the issue isn't going away.
- Scheduled maintenance timelines are stretching.
- Unscheduled events are harder to resolve due to limited parts availability.
- Delays are compounding and hitting both charter availability and owner satisfaction.
Final Approach
If you’re an aircraft owner or operator reevaluating your charter model mid-year, you’re not alone. The market remains active, but it’s evolving unevenly.
The smart move isn’t just about tracking volume, it's also worth looking at value.
And that means understanding where your aircraft sits in the charter landscape.