Pre-owned aircraft inventory levels remained significantly lower in August 2026 compared to the previous year, driven by a 37.73 percent year-over-year drop in available used large jets.

In a press release issued on September 4, 2026, Sandhills Global published its August aviation market reports. The data indicates a continued tightening of supply in the pre-owned aircraft market compared to 2025, while asking prices displayed mixed trends across different aircraft categories.

Jet and turboprop market dynamics

According to the Sandhills Global report, the global used jet aircraft inventory increased by 1.09 percent month-over-month in August 2026. This slight monthly gain did not offset the broader trend, as total jet inventory fell 22.32 percent year-over-year. Global asking prices for used jets decreased by 0.88 percent from July 2026 and dropped 1.85 percent compared to August 2025.

The global used turboprop aircraft market exhibited a similar pattern. Inventory rose 4.04 percent month-over-month but remained 9.92 percent below August 2025 levels. Asking values for used turboprops decreased 2.35 percent month-over-month and saw a marginal 0.14 percent decline year-over-year.

Piston aircraft and Helicopters trends

In the United States and Canada, the used piston-single aircraft inventory rose 2.8 percent month-over-month in August 2026. Similar to the turbine markets, this category experienced an 11.75 percent year-over-year decrease. Asking values for used piston-single aircraft decreased 0.93 percent month-over-month and 1.6 percent year-over-year.

The global market for used Robinson piston helicopters saw inventory increase by 1.19 percent month-over-month, while year-over-year inventory decreased by 10.53 percent. Asking values for these helicopters dropped 9.33 percent from July 2026 but recorded a 0.79 percent increase compared to August 2025.

AirPro News analysis

We observe a consistent pattern of constrained supply across all tracked pre-owned aviation sectors when comparing 2026 to 2025. The August 2026 data aligns closely with the July 2026 figures previously reported by Sandhills Global, where large jets posted a 39.6 percent year-over-year inventory decrease. The modest month-over-month inventory gains across jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft suggest the rate of inventory depletion may be stabilizing. The corresponding softening in asking prices across most categories indicates that buyers are not currently willing to pay a premium despite the lower year-over-year supply.

Sources: Sandhills Global via PR Newswire

BermudAir will become the first operator of the Embraer E190F freighter in the Americas following a lease agreement with aircraft lessor Regional One announced on September 16, 2026. The transaction expands the Bermuda-based carrier’s operations into dedicated cargo services across North-America and the Caribbean.

According to a press release issued by Embraer, BermudAir will lease a single converted E190F, making it the second global operator of the manufacturer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) platform. The addition builds on the airline’s existing passenger network, which currently connects 10 destinations using a fleet of Embraer E175 and Embraer E190 regional jets.

Expanding into dedicated cargo-aircraft operations

The leased E190F will serve routes spanning Bermuda, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. BermudAir currently operates two E175s and two E190s for its scheduled passenger services, providing a common type rating and maintenance foundation for the incoming freighter.

“Cargo is a natural next step for us. We’ve built a reliable, right-sized operation connecting Bermuda and the Caribbean to North America, and the E190F lets us put that same network to work moving express cargo, supporting local businesses, e-commerce and time-sensitive freight across the islands we serve,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir.

The cargo expansion runs parallel to BermudAir’s broader fleet modernization strategy. In July 2026, the carrier announced a firm order for 10 Airbus A220-300 passenger aircraft to support its network growth, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, according to reporting by ch-aviation.

Embraer’s E-Freighter program gains momentum

The lease agreement highlights the ongoing rollout of Embraer’s P2F conversion program. Regional One has placed five firm orders for the E190F since the launch of the E-Freighter program. Two of those converted aircraft have already been delivered to the lessor and are in active service.

“As an innovative and rapidly growing airline, BermudAir is an excellent partner to help showcase the versatility and value of the E-Freighter platform. This milestone represents another important step in the continued growth of the E190 P2F program,” said George Mamangakis, Chief Investment Officer at Regional One.

Global rollout of the E190F

The E190F entered commercial service on March 9, 2026, when launch customer Bridges Air Cargo deployed the first converted aircraft on routes in Europe. The program subsequently secured additional backlog at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026, when aircraft lessor Azorra signed an agreement for up to 30 E-Freighters, comprising 20 firm orders and 10 purchase rights, as reported by Aviation Week.

AirPro News analysis

We view BermudAir’s adoption of the E190F as a logical utilization of the carrier’s existing Embraer maintenance and crew training infrastructure. Operating a mixed fleet of passenger and freighter variants of the same aircraft family allows regional carriers to diversify revenue streams without proportionally increasing overhead costs. The placement of the first E-Freighter in the Americas provides Embraer with a highly visible regional showcase for its P2F conversion program in a market traditionally dominated by larger narrowbody freighters or smaller turboprops.

Sources: Embraer

Romanian national carrier TAROM (RO) has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, marking a critical step in the airline’s fleet modernization efforts amid a stringent European Commission-mandated restructuring process.

In a press release issued on September 2, 2026, the airline announced that the aircraft was officially handed over to TAROM crews at Boeing’s facility in Seattle, Washington, on September 3, 2026. The delivery flight to Bucharest, Romania, includes a stopover in Keflavík, Iceland, and is scheduled to take place over the weekend of September 5-6, 2026.

Delivery and fleet integration

The new aircraft is named “Mircea Lucescu” in honor of the renowned Romanian football coach. Two TAROM crews were assigned to operate the multi-stage ferry flight from the United States to Europe.

TAROM General Director Cristian Anghel stated that the delivery marks an important step in the airline’s transformation process, describing the aircraft as a new beginning for the carrier. Flight Director Cătălin Prunariu noted that the ferry flight represents the dedication of the aviation professionals bringing the aircraft to its new home.

The aircraft is one of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets secured through a lease agreement with CDB Aviation, which was initially announced on July 2, 2024. The addition brings the current TAROM fleet to 14 aircraft, serving over 50 destinations alongside the airline’s codeshare partners.

Restructuring and financial pressures

The fleet modernization is tied directly to a rigorous restructuring plan. In April 2024, the European Commission (EC) approved a €95.3 million state aid package for the airline. TAROM must demonstrate long-term financial viability by the end of 2026 to avoid repaying the funds, according to reporting by the Romanian national news agency AGERPRES.

The airline has faced recent hurdles in meeting these mandates. In late July 2026, Romania’s acting Transport Minister Radu Miruță confirmed that TAROM had missed its original financial-results, citing high fuel prices and aircraft delivery delays.

Consequently, the airline’s management was replaced. Anghel was appointed as the new chief executive officer and tasked with drafting a revised restructuring strategy by September 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view the arrival of the first Boeing 737 MAX 8 as a necessary operational milestone that provides TAROM with the fuel efficiency required to lower operating costs. However, the delayed delivery timeline has already impacted the carrier’s financial trajectory, contributing to the recent management overhaul. The revised restructuring strategy due in September 2026 will need to demonstrate how the integration of these new airframes can rapidly offset the operational losses cited by the transport ministry. The end-of-2026 deadline to prove viability to the European Commission leaves the new leadership team with a narrow window to execute their turnaround plan.

Sources: TAROM