IADA certifies 16 new aircraft brokers in 2026

The International Aircraft Dealers Association said 16 aircraft sales professionals earned its Certified Aircraft Broker designation in 2026, bringing the total to 233. The move underscores a broader push for independent standards, ethics and continuing education across business aviation in North America, Latin America and Europe. Why it matters: - The IADA Certified Aircraft Broker designation gives aircraft buyers and sellers independent verification that a broker has met industry standards for knowledge, ethics and transaction skill. - The certification and accreditation framework is meant to improve accountability and transparency in business aviation transactions. - IADA said the programs help clients identify trusted advisors in a market where aircraft deals can involve major financial decisions. What happened: - The International Aircraft Dealers Association announced that 16 aircraft sales professionals earned the IADA Certified Aircraft Broker designation in 2026. - The new brokers come from IADA Accredited Dealers across North America, Latin America and Europe. - The class includes 11 professionals from North America, two from Latin America and three from Europe. - The newly certified group lifts the total number of IADA Certified Aircraft Brokers to 233. The details: - Certified brokers must work for an IADA Accredited Dealer or an approved OEM. - Candidates need at least two years of industry experience with their sponsoring organization before they can take the exam. - Once registered, candidates use IADA U, the association’s learning management platform, and the IADA Certified Broker Study Guide to prepare. - Certification requires a structured examination process and ongoing professional development. - IADA said the program is designed to establish consistent standards, strengthen public confidence and provide objective third-party verification of broker qualifications. - IADA Accredited Dealers are the only aircraft dealers in the world recognized through an independent accreditation process. - Accreditation requires a proven track record of successful aircraft transactions, professional business operations, appropriate insurance and agreement to the IADA 14-Point Code of Ethics. - A company must have been in business for at least three years, maintain an active sales organization, operate from a professional office environment and show qualifying transaction experience. - IADA reviews accreditation annually. - Each year, member firms must provide proof of general liability insurance, verify active sales teams, document broker certification and continuing education compliance, and submit evidence of qualifying transaction activity. - Accredited Dealers must maintain certification among at least 80% of sales personnel. - New accredited firms must reach that 80% threshold within their first year of membership. - Joseph Allan, an independent credentialing and association management organization, administers the certification and accreditation programs. - Joseph Allan manages accreditation reviews, certification exams, continuing education through IADA U and compliance support. - IADA has used the programs to define business aviation professionalism for more than 30 years. Between the lines: - The geographic spread of the 2026 class suggests IADA standards are moving beyond a mainly North American base. - Annual accreditation reviews make IADA membership a recurring compliance obligation, not a one-time credential. - The 80% certification requirement pushes firms to make broker training and credentialing part of normal operations. - Independent third-party administration adds another layer of credibility because a neutral organization runs the reviews and exams. What’s next: - IADA will continue annual accreditation reviews for member firms. - Brokers seeking the credential must keep up with continuing education requirements. - IADA said it will keep advancing professionalism and ethical conduct as business aviation grows globally. - Buyers and sellers will continue to use Accredited Dealer status and broker certification as indicators of competence and accountability. The bottom line: - IADA is using certification, accreditation and annual oversight to turn professional standards into a measurable system for aircraft transactions. - The 2026 class shows that the association’s credentialing model is expanding across regions while staying tightly tied to ethics, training and independent review. More information