Halfway Done and Halfway to Go: A 2025 Aircraft Finance Recap

My electric bill reminds me that it’s peak summer here in Ohio, which means we’re at the halfway point of the year…and what a crazy year it’s been! 

While the final tariff policies remain unresolved, the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” now provides clarity regarding tax laws for purchase planning in 2025. 

I’ve mentioned before that clarity in rules and process is often the deciding factor between delaying and proceeding with a purchase. The more certainty buyers have, the more confident they feel—driving stronger transaction activity.

That’s why we’re watching closely for updates on tariff and trade policy, hoping for clearer direction by the end of summer.

Midyear Market Pulse: What Lenders Are Seeing Now

As we enter the second half of the year, I asked our lending team to weigh in on what stood out in the first half—and what might lie ahead.

Overall, they were a little surprised by how resilient demand remained through the first half. Yet, uncertainty remains both domestically and internationally. Exactly what sort of impact that has, only time will tell.

What’s exciting the team? Two things stand out:

The return of bonus depreciation—and with it, more clarity around tax planning for buyers.

Also, EAA AirVenture and a busy fall calendar of aviation events, offering opportunities to connect and reconnect with industry friends and partners.

So, what does all of this mean for you if you’re considering financing the second half of this year? 

Our team encourages you to start early. 

There’s no harm in obtaining a pre-approval while you shop the market. In fact, we've seen a handful of prospects wait until the end of the purchase process to engage us, which creates the opportunity for undue time pressure on all parties. 

On behalf of the entire team at Scope, I wish you a prosperous and joyful second half of 2025. As we say in our office, “Here we go!”

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