Europe’s still subdued private jet market continues to be a key source of pre-owned aircraft for stronger markets elsewhere, most notably North America, the Middle East and Africa. “When Europeans were buying airplanes they bought new or young models that were well equipped, attractive from a regulatory point of view and well supported,” said Chad Anderson, president of international aircraft broker Jetcraft.

In his view, aircraft sellers are now more willing to press ahead with deals in the belief that pricing has somewhat stabilized. Another advantage for European sellers in particular is the strength of the U.S. dollar, resulting in an improved net return on transactions.

“But Europe isn’t 100 percent a sellers market,” said Jetcraft senior vice president for sales Scott Plumb. “There are buyers in some countries, such as the UK, Spain and Italy.”

In 2014, Jetcraft achieved its highest annual total of aircraft transactions in its 53-year history, closing 65 deals with a combined value of over $1 billion. This represented an eight percent increase on 2013, when it completed 60 transactions.

Here on the EBACE show static display, Jetcraft is showing some of its clients’ aircraft, including a Bombardier Global 5000, a Challenger 604 and a Gulfstream G550. The company currently owns a portfolio of 10 aircraft–a mix of new and pre-owned models–six of which are under contract.

“We’ve been willing to be an aircraft investor and take on inventory,” said Anderson. “The number of deals is steadily climbing and the quality and outcome of the deals is improving nicely thanks to our ability to do the right deals.”

In 2015, Jetcraft has continued to expand its sales network, with the appointment last month of Diana Chou as non-executive chairwoman of Jetcraft Asia. It has also named Global Jet International to represent it in New Zealand and Australia.

“We love EBACE, because it attracts a very diverse crowd, not just Europeans,” Anderson told AIN. “The Russians aren’t afraid to come here, and they are tending to be sellers these days as they are liquidating assets and trying to convert aircraft into hard currency. It will be very interesting to see how this year’s show plays out.”