All About Maintenance Plans

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Benefits of Maintenance Programs

Predictable Costs
Many owners prefer maintenance plans because of the financial stability they provide. Fixed costs helps owners plan their budget and maintenance expenses for their aircraft without incurring unexpected charges. Predictable expenditures also protect owners from inflation and any price fluctuations in labor and parts.

Maximizing Operational Availability
Maintenance programs provide priority service scheduling and parts availability, ensuring necessary work is completed quickly, minimizing aircraft downtime. Additionally, these programs give owners access to OEM-approved (original equipment manufacturer) facilities that use genuine parts and comply with manufacturer guidelines. This helps maintain the aircraft’s value and prevents issues down the line.

Maintenance Compliance
Programs help owners stay on top of mandatory inspections, calendar-based checks, and service bulletins, ensuring aviation regulations are met. Maintenance programs proactively manage these requirements, keeping aircraft airworthy and compliant.

Long-Term Savings
Enrolling an aircraft in a maintenance program can save owners money over time. These programs help spread expenses for major repairs and overhauls, preventing large, unexpected maintenance costs. Some plans also offer discounts on OEM parts and labor, reducing out-of-pocket expenses.

Transferability
Another major benefit of maintenance plans is that most are transferable from owner to owner. This helps maintain the aircraft's value during resale. A transferable program reassures buyers and saves them time and effort, making transactions smoother and more attractive.

How Maintenance Plans Impact Sales

Maintenance programs significantly boost the resale value of aircraft for many reasons, including those listed above. Aircraft enrolled in maintenance plans are far more marketable than those without coverage because buyers are reassured that the aircraft has been consistently maintained to high standards. OEM-approved plans also provide comprehensive service histories, further increasing buyer confidence.

Leasing and fractional ownership companies often favor — and sometimes require — aircraft enrolled in maintenance programs. This increases the pool of potential buyers, boosting demand and shortening time on the market.

Maintenance plans also serve as powerful negotiation tools. They can justify higher asking prices when the plan covers key components, including engines, avionics, APU (auxiliary power unit), and airframe. Jets with engine programs can earn 10%–15% higher resale value, and jets with full coverage often sell 40%–50% faster.

Things to Consider

Maintenance plans are not necessary for every aircraft. For example, they may not be worthwhile for:

  • Older planes nearing retirement

  • Private owners with in-house maintenance teams

  • Aircraft flown infrequently

Before enrolling in a maintenance plan, owners should assess whether the plan’s coverage aligns with their usage and operational needs.

Additionally, owners should carefully review the limitations and exclusions of each plan — not all programs cover wear and tear, corrosion, or misuse damage. Another important consideration is geographical coverage. Some plans restrict maintenance to certain service centers and may not cover international locations.

Owners should also consider the length of the maintenance contract and any cancellation fees. It’s important to evaluate how long they plan to own the aircraft and whether the plan fits their long-term goals.

Maintenance plans are highly recommended for:

  • Newer or recently purchased aircraft

  • High-utilization aircraft

  • Long-term owners looking to preserve asset value

  • Owners seeking greater cost stability and smoother operations

For More Information

Contact our team today to learn more about how a maintenance plan can benefit you and your aircraft.