Commercial Helicopters Market Size

Study Period: | 2018 - 2028 |
Fastest Growing Market: | Asia-Pacific |
Largest Market: | Europe |
CAGR: | > 6 % |
Major Players![]() *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Commercial Helicopters Market Analysis
The commercial helicopters market is anticipated to register a CAGR of more than 6% during the forecast period (2022-2027).
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased economic constraints, reduced travel and tourism activities, and decreased industrial output. Several commercial end users faced losses and witnessed a decline in helicopter flight activity in 2020. The pandemic also led to supply chain disruptions in the aviation sector, which led to a significant decrease in deliveries. However, the helicopter fleet activity increased significantly in 2021.
The increase in the usage of helicopters in various end-user sectors, like tourism, medical and emergency rescue services, transportation, and offshore helicopter services, among others, has fuelled the demand for commercial helicopters.
The replacement of aging commercial helicopters along with the development by key market players of new helicopter models with advanced technologies like electric-hybrid propulsion is expected to propel the growth of helicopters over the coming years.
The drones are slowly substituting helicopters in various roles in the commercial sector due to their cheaper cost of operation and reduced risk to humans. This factor is reducing the use of helicopters in certain applications across the industry, thus restraining the market growth.
Commercial Helicopters Industry Segmentation
The market includes an analysis of the developments and procurement of new helicopters used in the civil and commercial sectors. Major users of commercial helicopters are from the oil and gas, tourism, charter, entertainment and photography/videography, helicopter medical emergency services, cargo transport, and firefighting service-providing sectors.
The market is segmented by maximum take-off weight into light, medium, and heavy helicopters. The market is also segmented based on the number of engines into single-engine and multi-engine. The market is also segmented based on end users into commercial, private, and other end users. Helicopters owned by individuals and businesses and used for personal travel and VIP/employee/emergency transport purposes are considered under the private helicopter segment. The other end users segment includes the use of helicopters by government agencies and departments, law enforcement agencies, and military VIP transport.
The report provides the market size and forecasts for all major countries in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle-East and Africa. The profiles of major players in the market are also covered, along with their market shares. The market size and forecasts are provided by value (USD million).
Maximum Take-off Weight | |
Light Helicopters | |
Medium Helicopters | |
Heavy Helicopters |
Number of Engines | |
Single-engine | |
Multi-engine |
End User | |
Commercial | |
Private | |
Other End Users |
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Commercial Helicopters Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Commercial Helicopters Market according to our research experts:
Light Helicopters Segment Witnessed Highest Number of Deliveries in 2021
The light helicopters segment witnessed the highest number of deliveries in 2021 due to their ability to hover, land, and take off in a vertical position and get in and out of confined spaces. Currently, Airbus Helicopters, Bell, and Robinson Helicopters dominate the market in terms of new deliveries for commercial applications. H125, one of the oldest and most selling helicopters of Airbus, has recently been upgraded. While the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft remains unchanged (about 2.5 ton), its external and internal load-lifting capabilities are increased for a large part of the flight domain (by up to +140 kg), while the hover ceiling OGE at maximum take-off weight is increased by more than 1,500 ft (up to 12,600 ft). In April 2021, Airbus Helicopters received EASA certification for the power upgrade of its single-engine H125 helicopter. With the latest upgrade to H125, Airbus Helicopters is targeting the utility market. In addition to OEMs, helicopter operators are investing in the procurement of new light helicopters to enhance operational efficiency. For instance, Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Florida (US) received an R66 Police Helicopter from Robinson Helicopter Company equipped with Wescam MX-10 EO/IR imaging system and an HD infrared sensor. Such orders are anticipated to drive the growth of this market segment during the forecast period.

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Europe Held the Highest Share by Revenue in 2021
The European region currently dominates the market and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period, primarily due to helicopter operators' growing demand for new helicopters to modernize their aging fleet. In 2021, the European region received 167 units, out of which 66% were light helicopters, followed by medium and heavy helicopters, which accounted for 23% and 11%, respectively. Currently, the overall helicopter fleet in the region has an age of over 18 years, and about more than 50% of the existing operational fleet has an age of more than 26 years. To maintain an air-worthy fleet, the operators in the region are robustly investing in the procurement of new and advanced helicopters. For instance, as of May 2021, Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) planned to replace its current fleet of Airbus H145 D2 helicopters by 2023 with the latest variants that feature major design changes. Similarly, in June 2020, Airbus was awarded funding from the French government to develop a low-emission hybrid-engine successor to its best-selling H125 Ecurueil light-single, plus orders for 20 rotorcraft from its current range, including two H145, 10 H160, and eight H225M helicopters. The hybrid variant of H125 is expected to reduce 40% of the fuel consumption and is expected to enter service by 2029. Such procurement and replacement plans are anticipated to accelerate the growth of the commercial helicopter market in the region.

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Commercial Helicopters Industry Overview
The prominent players in the commercial helicopter market are Airbus SE, Robinson Helicopter Company, Textron Inc., Leonardo SpA, and Russian Helicopters (Rostec). The key players are investing in R&D for manufacturing new types of helicopters integrated with new technologies. For instance, Robinson Helicopter added the TB17 Lithium-ion battery to its R44 options. TB17 by True Blue Power, a division of Mid-Continent Instrument, offers substantial weight savings, improved starter performance, and longer life. The new helicopter option weighs approximately 46% less than the R44’s standard 29.5-pound battery. It is now offered on new helicopters for USD 7,300. With such new and advanced helicopter concepts taking shape over the coming years, the competition in the market is expected to be tough. In addition to new product development and options, the partnerships of helicopter OEMs with aircraft/helicopters operators to deliver new-generation rotorcraft are anticipated to support their growth. For instance, in October 2021, Global Medical Response (GMR) placed an order for 21 Airbus helicopters, including the H125, H130, and H135 family of helicopters, with an option for up to an additional 23 helicopters for air medical services. Such contracts are anticipated to help helicopter OEMs increase their geographic presence over the coming years.
Commercial Helicopters Market Leaders
Airbus SE
Robinson Helicopter Company
Textron Inc.
Rostec (Russian Helicopters)
Leonardo SpA
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Commercial Helicopters Market News
- In July 2021, MD Helicopters Inc. signed new contracts with Unitech Composites and ACT Aerospace to improve production and spare parts availability for the MD 902, MD 520N, and MD 600N aircraft.
- In April 2021, Airbus announced that New Zealand VIP and charter operator Advanced Flight had become the launch customer for the new Airbus ACH145 with five rotor-blades. It has also taken delivery of the first five-bladed ACH145 helicopter.
Commercial Helicopters Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of Study
1.3 Currency Conversion Rates for USD
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
3.1 Market Size and Forecast, Global, 2018 - 2027
3.2 Market Share by Maximum Take-off Weight, 2021
3.3 Market Share by Number of Engines, 2021
3.4 Market Share by End User, 2021
3.5 Market Share by Region, 2021
3.6 Structure of the Market and Key Participants
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.3 Technology Trends
4.4 Market Restraints
4.5 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.5.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.5.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.5.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.5.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size and Forecast by Value - USD million, 2018 - 2027)
5.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.1.1 Light Helicopters
5.1.2 Medium Helicopters
5.1.3 Heavy Helicopters
5.2 Number of Engines
5.2.1 Single-engine
5.2.2 Multi-engine
5.3 End User
5.3.1 Commercial
5.3.2 Private
5.3.3 Other End Users
5.4 Geography
5.4.1 North America
5.4.1.1 United States
5.4.1.1.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.1.1.2 Number of Engines
5.4.1.2 Canada
5.4.1.2.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.1.2.2 Number of Engines
5.4.2 Europe
5.4.2.1 United Kingdom
5.4.2.1.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.2.1.2 Number of Engines
5.4.2.2 France
5.4.2.2.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.2.2.2 Number of Engines
5.4.2.3 Germany
5.4.2.3.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.2.3.2 Number of Engines
5.4.2.4 Russia
5.4.2.4.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.2.4.2 Number of Engines
5.4.2.5 Rest of Europe
5.4.2.5.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.2.5.2 Number of Engines
5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
5.4.3.1 China
5.4.3.1.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.3.1.2 Number of Engines
5.4.3.2 India
5.4.3.2.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.3.2.2 Number of Engines
5.4.3.3 Japan
5.4.3.3.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.3.3.2 Number of Engines
5.4.3.4 South Korea
5.4.3.4.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.3.4.2 Number of Engines
5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.4.3.5.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.3.5.2 Number of Engines
5.4.4 Latin America
5.4.4.1 Brazil
5.4.4.1.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.4.1.2 Number of Engines
5.4.4.2 Colombia
5.4.4.2.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.4.2.2 Number of Engines
5.4.4.3 Rest of Latin America
5.4.4.3.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.4.3.2 Number of Engines
5.4.5 Middle-East and Africa
5.4.5.1 Saudi Arabia
5.4.5.1.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.5.1.2 Number of Engines
5.4.5.2 United Arab Emirates
5.4.5.2.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.5.2.2 Number of Engines
5.4.5.3 Turkey
5.4.5.3.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.5.3.2 Number of Engines
5.4.5.4 South Africa
5.4.5.4.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.5.4.2 Number of Engines
5.4.5.5 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
5.4.5.5.1 Maximum Take-off Weight
5.4.5.5.2 Number of Engines
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Vendor Market Share
6.2 Company Profiles
6.2.1 Airbus SE
6.2.2 Textron Inc.
6.2.3 Lockheed Martin Corporation
6.2.4 Leonardo SpA
6.2.5 MD Helicopters Inc.
6.2.6 Robinson Helicopter Company
6.2.7 Enstrom Helicopter Corp.
6.2.8 Rostec (Russian Helicopters)
6.2.9 Schweizer RSG
6.2.10 Kaman Corporation
6.2.11 Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd
6.2.12 Aviation Industry Corporation of China
6.2.13 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Commercial Helicopters Market Research FAQs
What is the study period of this market?
The Commercial Helicopters Market is studied from 2018 - 2028.
What is the growth rate of Commercial Helicopters Market?
The Commercial Helicopters Market is growing at a CAGR of >6% over the next 5 years.
Which region has highest growth rate in Commercial Helicopters Market?
Asia-Pacific is growing at the highest CAGR over 2018 - 2028.
Which region has largest share in Commercial Helicopters Market?
Europe holds highest share in 2021.
Who are the key players in Commercial Helicopters Market?
Airbus SE, Robinson Helicopter Company, Textron Inc., Rostec (Russian Helicopters), Leonardo SpA are the major companies operating in Commercial Helicopters Market.
Commercial Helicopters Industry Report
Statistics for the 2023 Commercial Helicopters market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Commercial Helicopters analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2028 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.