The Cessna Citation 525, commonly known as the “Straight CJ”, remains one of the most active aircraft in the light jet market. Known for its operating efficiency, single-pilot capability, and versatility, the Citation 525 continues to attract owner-operators and buyers seeking an accessible entry point into private jet ownership.
The Citation 525 was produced from 1993-1999, offering a cruise speed of ~330 knots, a range of approximately 1,100 nautical miles, and seating for up to 6 passengers in the back with a belted lavatory and side facing seat.
This Citation 525 Market Report – July 2026 provides a focused overview of current pricing, inventory levels, and historical trends shaping today’s trading environment.
Citation 525 Market Snapshot – July 2026
The Citation 525 market continues to shift in favor of buyers as available inventory expands and average asking prices adjust lower.
Download the NextBird Citation 525 Market Report July 29, 2026.
Key Metrics
- Average Asking Price: $1,386,947.37
- Average Year: 1996
- Average Airframe Time: 5,989.5 hours
- # for Sale: 49
- % of Fleet for Sale: 14.7%
- Average Days on Market: 255 days
Market Insight
With nearly 15% of the fleet represented in total market availability, buyers currently have a meaningful selection of Citation 525s to evaluate.
For sellers, this makes accurate positioning increasingly important. Aircraft priced materially above comparable offerings may face longer marketing periods as buyers have more alternatives available.
Citation 525 Market Trends (12-Month and 36-Month Analysis)
The most significant changes become apparent when looking at the past twelve months. The longer-term data provides even greater context for how much this market has changed.
Past 12 Months
- # for Sale: ↑ 19
- Average Asking Price: ↓ $191,000.00
- % of Fleet for Sale: ↑ 5.7%
- Average Days on Market: ↑ 58 days
What This Means
The Citation 525 market has undergone a meaningful shift over the past year.
Inventory has increased by 19 aircraft, while average asking prices have declined by approximately $191,000.00. At the same time, average days on market have increased by 58 days.
The charts on page 3 of the report make this trend particularly clear. Total availability declined into late 2025 before reversing course and climbing sharply throughout 2026, reaching 49 aircraft by July. Average asking prices moved in the opposite direction, declining noticeably as inventory expanded.
For buyers, that combination means more selection and potentially greater negotiating leverage. For sellers, it reinforces the importance of pricing an aircraft according to current conditions rather than relying on values achieved during a more constrained market.
Download the NextBird Citation 525 Market Report July 29, 2026.
36-Month Market Trends
- # for Sale: ↑ 33
- Average Asking Price: ↓ $229,000.00
- % of Fleet for Sale: ↑ 9.9%
- Average Days on Market: ↑ 86 days
What This Means
Over the past three years, Citation 525 inventory has expanded substantially.
The 36-month charts on page 4 show availability rising from comparatively constrained levels to 49 aircraft today. During the same period, average asking prices have generally trended lower, while average days on market have increased.
These trends point toward a market that has transitioned away from the exceptionally supply-constrained conditions of previous years and into a more competitive environment.
That does not mean every Citation 525 is experiencing the same pricing pressure. Aircraft with desirable configurations, strong maintenance status, engine program coverage, modern avionics, and updated cosmetics can still distinguish themselves considerably from the broader market.
Download the NextBird Citation 525 Market Report July 29, 2026.
Is it a Good Time to Sell a Citation 525?
Today’s Citation 525 market requires careful positioning.
Seller Takeaways
The strongest-performing Citation 525’s typically feature:
- Modern avionics upgrades (Dual Garmin G600 TXi’s)
- Engine program coverage (fully paid TAP Blue)
- Low total time relative to peers
- Fresh maintenance status (recent Document 10 Inspection)
- Updated paint and interior
With inventory substantially higher than a year ago, sellers should pay close attention to competing aircraft and recent market activity when establishing an asking price.
Is it a Good Time to Buy a Citation 525?
Current conditions provide Citation 525 buyers with considerably more choice.
Buyer Takeaways
Higher inventory can create opportunities to compare aircraft based not only on price, but also on maintenance exposure, engine status, avionics, cosmetics, and long-term ownership costs.
The lowest-priced aircraft is not necessarily the best value. Deferred maintenance, engine program status, upcoming inspections, and required upgrades can materially change the economics of an acquisition.
What Is a Citation 525 Worth in 2026?
Every Citation 525 is different, and market averages should only be considered a starting point.
Aircraft value can vary significantly based on:
- Total time and cycles
- Engine program enrollment
- Maintenance status
- Avionics upgrades
- Paint and interior condition
- Damage history
As the spread between available aircraft grows, understanding these differences becomes increasingly important when establishing a realistic market value.
Citation 525 Market Outlook
The Citation 525 market is becoming increasingly buyer-friendly as inventory expands and asking prices adjust.
With 14.7% of the fleet represented in total market availability and average days on market reaching 255 days, sellers are operating in a substantially more competitive environment than they were a year ago.
For properly priced and well-equipped aircraft, opportunities remain. However, today’s market places greater importance on accurate valuation, aircraft presentation, and a clear understanding of competing inventory.
For buyers, increased selection creates opportunities—but evaluating the maintenance and financial differences between aircraft remains just as important as negotiating the purchase price.
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This data was published on July 29, 2026, and is subject to change.
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