High operating costs: Fighter jets are designed to be high-performance aircraft, which means they have powerful engines, advanced avionics systems, and sophisticated weapon systems. These features require regular maintenance and expensive parts replacements, which drive up the operating costs of the aircraft.

In 2026, the high cost of operating a jet is driven by a "triple threat" of fuel, maintenance, and crew expenses. Modern jet engines consume staggering amounts of fuel; for example, a large commercial jet might burn through 1,500 to 2,000 gallons of fuel per hour during cruise. Beyond the fuel dock, aviation maintenance is governed by strict "life-limited" part regulations. Every few hundred flight hours, components must be meticulously inspected or replaced by certified engineers, and the parts themselves carry an "aviation premium"—a simple bolt can cost hundreds of dollars due to the rigorous testing and certification required for flight safety. Additionally, the cost of human capital is significant; a standard flight requires a highly trained flight crew, cabin crew, and ground support staff, all of whom must maintain current certifications. When you add in hull insurance (which is incredibly high due to the value of the asset), landing fees at major hubs, and the cost of capital for a machine that costs $100M to $300M to purchase, it becomes clear why every hour in the sky represents a massive financial undertaking.