Dallas-based aircraft brokerage and consultancy Mente Group’s business jet transaction volume climbed 40 percent in 2018, to nearly $500 million, but it expects 2019 to be slightly lower than the record year it just surpassed. “Our team really came through as the number of Mente’s business jet transactions increased over 20 percent on higher average aircraft values, as sales represented larger and newer aircraft in 2018,” said Mente Group president and CEO Brian Proctor.

He doesn’t anticipate similar volume gains in 2019. Prices for new and preowned jets will continue to rise in 2019, Proctor said, but there could be fewer transactions for used business jets. The volume of 2019 transactions could be depressed by a host of factors, he said, including a strong U.S. dollar, lower inventory of preowned aircraft, restricted MRO upgrade capabilities, elevated maintenance and pilot costs, higher interest rates, and an uncertain political situation.

“We see 2019 as a little slower than 2018, but still ahead of 2017,” Proctor said. Mente Group’s used jets for sale include a Gulfstream G550, G150, and G450; Bombardier Challenger 350; and Cessna Citation VII and CJ2+.