Brazilian Business Aviation Market 2026: What We Learned at CJI Latin America

CJI Latin America brought together operators, OEMs, financiers, regulators, and aircraft advisors in São Paulo. Jet Match was on stage for the closing panel — Brazilian Business Aviation Market: Trends and Outlook — and in the audience for the rest. These are the takeaways that matter most for anyone buying, selling, or operating a business jet in our region.

Brazil's Tax Reform: The Big Open Question for Business Aviation in 2026

One recurring theme across the panels was the uncertainty surrounding Brazil's tax reform. The overhaul consolidates PIS, Cofins, ICMS, and ISS into the new IBS and CBS, with a transition stretching to 2033. Some brokers reported a surge in activity driven by anticipated changes, as importers rushed to nationalize aircraft under the current rules — one firm had already booked roughly 60% of last year's full-year imports by April. Others, however, saw little change in their day-to-day operations.

The truth is that the impact on our sector remains unclear. Final rates are yet to be set, and Brazil's federal tax authority systems are not yet recognizing the new tax lines. The selective tax ("imposto seletivo") on aircraft is still unresolved, including its calculation base — not to mention the IPVA, another elephant in the room. Clients and industry participants will continue to follow developments closely throughout 2026.

Pre-Owned Business Jets: Demand in Brazil Keeps Outpacing Supply

OEM backlogs of 12–18 months on most popular models continue to push buyers into the pre-owned market. Pre-owned volume in Brazil last year was roughly 2.5x pre-pandemic levels, and the demand has not cooled. The G650 came up several times across panels as an instructive case: when adjusted for a decade of inflation, today's prices are still well below original 2015–2016 transaction levels, even after the recent run-up. With OEM lead times stretched and pricing on new aircraft elevated, pre-owned remains the practical path for most buyers — and for many sellers, today's market has been a window to transact at strong values.

Engine and Avionics Programs: Doing More Work Than Ever

A point that came up across nearly every panel — from advisors to bankers to OEMs — is that aircraft on engine and avionics programs hold their value materially better than aircraft run without that discipline. Programs have always mattered. What's different now is the price of getting it wrong: with import friction and capital costs in Brazil, buying poorly is more expensive than ever, and a sale on an aircraft that has been kept current closes faster and at a better price. For owners thinking about a future sale, the work to do today is on documentation and program enrollment.

KYC in Business Aviation Transactions: No Longer Optional

The Know Your Client (KYC) seminar was one of the most eye-opening sessions of the conference. The presenter shared real-world cases where large-cabin aircraft were discreetly routed through front companies and intermediate jurisdictions before ending up with sanctioned operators — transactions that appeared legitimate until they weren't.

The takeaway for our industry is clear: every participant in the transaction chain — broker, escrow agent, trustee, financier, MRO — faces risk when dealing with bad actors. Reputation takes twenty years to build and minutes to destroy. The practical approach is straightforward: either implement rigorous internal KYC procedures or ensure that a trusted party within the transaction chain handles it. There is no middle ground.

Latin America's Infrastructure Gap: Slots, Parking, and the 2026 World Cup

Latin America is the second-largest growth region for new aircraft after the United States, but the infrastructure gap is real. Slots and parking — at Congonhas, Catarina, Porto Seguro, and others — are the binding constraint, not demand. Mexico hosts the 2026 World Cup with limited overnight parking and unresolved coordination with authorities. Operators planning around the World Cup, or the next surge, need to be moving on logistics now.

Our 2026 Outlook for the Brazilian Business Aviation Market

2026 is shaping up as a year of strong activity layered over real uncertainty. Tax reform is the question everyone is asking and no one can yet answer in full, and that alone is reason for buyers and sellers to be planning more, not less. The fundamentals haven't changed: pre-owned remains the most realistic path for most buyers and aircraft on programs continue to win on resale. 2027 will likely be a year of recalibration once the tax rules settle. Between now and then, the market rewards the same things it always has — clear thinking, good selection criteria, and the discipline not to follow the herd.

If you are evaluating an acquisition, a sale, or a transition in your fleet for 2026, our team is available for a confidential conversation. Get in touch or browse our current aircraft listings.