Helicopter Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Component (Engine, Airframe and Other Components), Type (Commercial, Military and Civil and Other Types), Sales Channel (Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MEO), Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM

Helicopter Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Component (Engine, Airframe and Other Components), Type (Commercial, Military and Civil and Other Types), Sales Channel (Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MEO), Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Other Sales Channels), Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Helicopter Market is accounted for $48.74 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $78.38 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft with horizontally spinning rotors that provide lift and thrust. These rotors enable Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and allow the aircraft to hover in place for an extended period of time. These rotorcrafts are intended to perform various operations and flights in congested or isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft cannot fulfil mission requirements. In terms of efficiency and dependability, these aircraft have evolved significantly over the last two decades. They have several applications, namely, military, commercial, and general. In recent years, the general aviation sector has exhibited the most air traffic growth by rotorcraft aviation, including emergency medical services.

According to Helicopter Association International (HAI), sales of military helicopters were approximately 29.2 billion USD and civil helicopters accounted for 17.82 billion USD in terms of sales.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing Demand for Emergency Medical Service Helicopters

The use of helicopters is growing for emergency medical services as they offer specialized crew and necessary equipment for emergency situations. In remote locations helicopter emergency medical services play a fundamental role in saving lives. This has led the governments in various countries to support the implementation of helicopters as air ambulances. Technological developments in air ambulance services are projected to boost the growth of the market. Hence, the use of helicopters for Emergency Medical Service is expected to drive market growth of the market.

Restraint:

High Manufacturing Costs

The integration of new and advanced electronics is increasing with a focus on enhancing functionality. These factors result in high manufacturing costs. The manufacturing of helicopters for specialized applications requires specific equipment to test calibration. In addition, manufacturers are also using 3D printing to create lightweight airframes and other components, which further increases costs. Likewise, the increasing use of composite materials for helicopter airframe also tends to increase the overall cost of helicopter. Therefore, the high costs involved in manufacturing the helicopter is expected to hinder market growth.

Opportunity:

Replacement of aging helicopter fleets

The development of next-generation compound and tilt helicopters is expected to drive the growth of the market and result in a significant number of helicopter replacements and capability extensions. Traditional surveillance systems are being replaced with active electronically scanned arrays on combat helicopters, owing to their ability to spread signal emissions across a wide range of frequencies. Emerging economies are investing in the development of electronically scanned array radar systems for combat helicopters. These countries have allocated substantial shares of their defence budgets to augment their existing defence power, which involves upgrading their helicopter fleet.

Threat:

Increased demand for drones and UAVs

Before the drone era, helicopters were used for various applications, including media, entertainment. After that same operations can be performed by using drones instead of a helicopter with reduced maintenance costs. Although drones are not capable of covering distances of hundreds of miles and long flight hours, they are capable of entering high-risk or restricted zones where helicopters cannot otherwise fly. Other than commercial applications, UAVs and drones have replaced helicopters in surveillance and aerial imaging applications for military and other security organizations. Hence, increased demand for drones and UAVs is anticipated to affect the helicopter market share negatively.

Covid-19 Impact

COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have resulted in several countries shutting down airports, ports, and commercial and domestic transportation. The majority of significant aircraft assembly plants had to shut down or scale back operations. The helicopter industry as a whole was less impacted than commercial airlines and even gained prominence in several nations by helping to efficiently distribute patients among overburdened medical institutions. However, the helicopter sector has been severely impacted and will likely face challenging times. Supply impacts were further compounded due to challenges on the demand-side owing to reduced disposable income, depleting savings, and increased concerns and uncertainties.

The commercial segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The commercial segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth, due to increasing adoption of commercial helicopters in tourism, offshore, and transportation helicopter services. The market is primarily driven by the rapid utilization of helicopters in public safety, law enforcement, training, tourism, search and rescue, emergency medical services and fire fighting. The expansion of low-noise and environmentally friendly helicopter systems focusing on sustainable development are also providing an impulsion to the market. The commercial helicopters will see surging demand from oil & gas and offshore segments led by the varied usage of these helicopters in inspection and maintenance of offshore oil rigs.

The medical services segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The medical services segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period, due to the rising demand for air ambulance services. Airborne medical services can travel more rapidly and operate in a broader area than a global ambulance, making them especially useful in low populated rural areas. An air ambulance is a specially equipped aircraft transporting sick or injured people in a medical emergency or long distances or something impossible with a standard ground ambulance. These ambulances are equipped with medical equipment essential for the care and treatment of injured or sick patients, like ground ambulances.

Region with highest share:

Asia Pacific is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the easing of space rules and the rise of the regional aviation sector, increasing spending by governments of developing nations on the development of their fleet. Factors such as increasing demand for rotorcraft from the tourism industry, relaxation in airspace restrictions, investment in the indigenous aviation industry, and development of infrastructure in emerging economies are projected to fuel the growth.

Region with highest CAGR:

Europe is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to the replacement of aging helicopters. The Clean Sky initiative in the region involving a public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry is developing sophisticated technologies to manufacture environmentally friendly and quieter rotorcraft. Therefore, these factors are boosting the growth of the market.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Helicopter Market include Columbia Helicopters, Enstrom Helicopter Corp., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Robinson Helicopter Company., Airbus S.A.S., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Aviation Industry Corporation of China, MD Helicopters, Inc., Korea Aerospace Industries, Leonardo S.P.A., Carlson Helicopter Inc., Russian Helicopters, Kaman Aerospace, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Bristow Group Inc., Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd and Schweizer Aircraft Corp.

Key Developments:

In August 2022, Airbus signed a contract with the Brazil government that will involve the delivery of ACH160 helicopters for the annual Latin America business aviation conference and exhibition.

In December 2021, Textron Inc. announced a contract with the US government for building the AH-1Z flight training devices for Czech Republic’s new helicopter fleet.

In April 2020, Leonardo acquired Kopter Group AG, a Switzerland-based helicopter manufacturing company. The acquisition strengthened the company's position in the global helicopter market.

Components Covered:
• Engine
• Airframe
• Other Components

Types Covered:
• Commercial
• Military and Civil
• Other Types

Sales Channels Covered:
• Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MEO)
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
• Other Sales Channels

Applications Covered:
• Law Enforcement & Public Safety
• Transport
• Medical Services
• Oil & Gas
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements