The Scarcity Premium: Why Mid-Life Narrowbodies are the New Gold in 2026

In a world waiting for new aircraft, the old guard is proving its worth.

The traditional 25-year depreciation curve for aircraft has officially been rewritten. As of May 2026, we are witnessing a phenomenon I call the “Supply Chain Squeeze.” With major OEMs still struggling to clear a massive backlog of 17,000 aircraft, the “mid-life” assets—specifically the Airbus A320ceo and Boeing 737NG—are seeing their market values defy gravity.

From an engineering perspective, these aircraft are the “reliable workhorses” that operators trust while new-generation engines (LEAP and GTF) navigate ongoing durability and maintenance turnaround hurdles. In Southeast Asia, where low-cost carrier (LCC) growth is explosive, having “metal on the tarmac” is worth more than a delivery slot three years away.

Why this matters for your portfolio

Liquidity: These airframes are highly liquid in the secondary market.

Maintenance Equity: With engine shop visit costs rising, an aircraft with “green-time” remaining is currently fetching a 20-30% premium over its 2024 baseline.

Valuer’s Verdict: Don’t rush to retire your 12-year-old narrowbodies. In today’s market, reliability is the ultimate currency.