While purchase price is the major focus for aircraft buyers, it’s far from the only cost to consider. Some are easily overlooked but can significantly impact the overall transaction. Gerrard Cowan asks industry experts what those costs are.
The real cost of an aircraft transaction extends well beyond the purchase price. A prime example can be found with the Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI), where costs can change quickly.
“Depending on the aircraft, the work scope of the PPI and discrepancies identified during inspection can introduce material adjustments and extend timelines,” notes Todd Jackson, Senior Vice President of Sales at Elliott Jets.
The cost of any subsequent downtime is frequently overlooked by buyers, according to Jackson. Delays tied to inspection findings or post-close work can affect operations in ways not reflected in the initial purchase price.
“The impact can be meaningful,” Jackson warns. “It is not uncommon to see total transaction costs increase by 5-10% once inspection findings and initial post-close work are fully accounted for.”
Most importantly, such oversights introduce uncertainty, Jackson adds. When expectations are misaligned, deals tend to slow down, require renegotiation, or even fall apart late in the process. “This creates both cost and lost opportunity – particularly if other aircraft were under consideration.”
Aircraft Acquisition: Set Realistic Expectations
Christopher Lee, President of the Aircraft and Specialty Finance Deposit Divisions at 1st Source Bank agrees that the purchase price is only one component of a successful outcome.
“The transactions that run smoothly, and ultimately create the most value, are almost always those where both parties have realistic expectations from fully understanding the entire cost ecosystem surrounding the deal, not just the asset itself.”
From a financing and structuring perspective, the difference between a ‘good’ and ‘great’ transaction often lies in how well secondary costs are anticipated and managed, Lee highlights. He draws particular attention to the PPI and related costs, highlighting that this is the most common large item where 1st Source sees confusion.
This article was originally published by AvBuyer on July 8, 2026.