✈️ Embraer Q2 Deliveries Hit 16-Year High, Praetor 600 Uniquely Surges Against the Trend
Embraer delivered 45 business jets in the second quarter of 2026, a significant increase from 38 in the same period last year, marking its strongest performance in 16 years, including 21 Praetor midsize jets and 24 Phenom light jets. Avi-Go data shows that the three flagship models—Phenom 300, Praetor 500, and Praetor 600—had a combined active fleet of 1,024 aircraft in 2026, with the Phenom 300 as the absolute mainstay at 813 aircraft. Monthly business jet movements showed an upward trend from January to May and diverging patterns in June: both the Phenom 300 (peaking at 25,699 movements in May before falling to 25,205 in June) and the Praetor 500 (peaking at 3,858 movements in May before dropping to 3,595 in June) have already topped out, while only the Praetor 600 climbed against the trend to a new phase high of 2,999 movements in June, becoming the only one of the three models to set a new high in June, with the strongest deployment and utilization momentum. According to the June 2026 report, Embraer had 5 models make the global Top 10 utilization list, with the Praetor 500 leading all models worldwide at a 54.41% utilization rate and a fleet size of 90 aircraft.
Impact: The independent upward movement of the Praetor 600 reflects the resilience of midsize jet demand diverging from that of light jets, and differences in fleet deployment pace will reshape OEM production scheduling and used-aircraft valuation expectations. Delivery of the third-party-certified Praetor 500E/600E upgraded versions will not begin until 2029, and the short-term supply gap may lift the residual value of in-service midsize jets.
Recommendation: FBOs and operators can assess the repositioning and training resource allocation for the Praetor 600 before the end of Q3 2026 to lock in the midsize jet demand window. Fleet owners with upgrade needs should incorporate their in-service Praetors into their 2027–2028 asset disposal plans to avoid concentrated depreciation caused by the approach of new aircraft deliveries in 2029.