Helicopter Market

The article discusses the current state and future projections of the global helicopter market, highlighting key trends such as rising demand, consumption patterns, production volumes, import/export statistics, and the dominant players in the industry. It provides a comprehensive overview of the market dynamics from 2012 to 2022, with detailed analysis on different types of helicopters, average prices, and growth rates across various countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for helicopter worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.3K units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $40.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Civil Helicopters

In 2022, global consumption of civil helicopters dropped to 2.7K units, with a decrease of -12.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a mild descent. Global consumption peaked at 3.5K units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global helicopter market size shrank notably to $30.5B in 2022, declining by -15.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed a perceptible decline. Global consumption peaked at $42B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The United States (1.4K units) constituted the country with the largest volume of helicopter consumption, comprising approx. 51% of total volume. Moreover, helicopter consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Russia (206 units), sevenfold. China (164 units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6% share.

In the United States, helicopter consumption declined by an average annual rate of -3.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (+18.7% per year) and China (+4.6% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($26.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($644M). It was followed by Russia.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at -3.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+3.7% per year) and Russia (+17.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of helicopter per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (4.1 units per million persons), the Netherlands (2.3 units per million persons) and Russia (1.4 units per million persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +22.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Civil Helicopters

In 2022, approx. 2.1K units of civil helicopters were produced worldwide; shrinking by -16.1% against 2021. In general, production continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 37%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 3.3K units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, helicopter production declined to $27.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 64% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $37B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of helicopter production was the United States (1.2K units), accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, helicopter production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (232 units), fivefold. Russia (206 units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.7% share.

In the United States, helicopter production contracted by an average annual rate of -3.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Germany (-10.1% per year) and Russia (+18.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Civil Helicopters

In 2022, the amount of civil helicopters imported worldwide contracted remarkably to 2.5K units, shrinking by -16.9% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -12.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 3.1K units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, helicopter imports declined to $5.3B in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Global imports peaked at $7.6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (254 units), Germany (250 units), the Netherlands (206 units), Canada (181 units) and the Czech Republic (147 units) was the major importer of civil helicopters in the world, making up 42% of total import. Spain (94 units), Belgium (79 units), Estonia (67 units), Australia (66 units), Denmark (60 units), South Africa (59 units), China (56 units) and the UK (54 units) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +51.2%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($846M) constitutes the largest market for imported civil helicopters worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($362M), with a 6.8% share of global imports. It was followed by Australia, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled -4.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+3.3% per year) and Australia (+1.7% per year).

Imports By Type

Helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg represented the key type of civil helicopters in the world, with the volume of imports reaching 1.9K units, which was approx. 77% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (566 units), mixing up a 23% share of total imports.

Helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012 to 2022. Helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg (+13 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (-13.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg ($4B) constitutes the largest type of civil helicopters imported worldwide, comprising 75% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg ($1.3B), with a 25% share of global imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg imports was relatively modest.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average helicopter import price amounted to $2,144,320 per unit, increasing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,782,794 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg ($7,064,338 per unit), while the price for helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg totaled $699,208 per unit.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (+0.4%).

Import Prices By Country

The average helicopter import price stood at $2,144,320 per unit in 2022, picking up by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $3,782,794 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($6,458,910 per unit), while Denmark ($54,333 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+35.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Civil Helicopters

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of civil helicopters decreased by -21.4% to 1.9K units in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 17%. The global exports peaked at 2.5K units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, helicopter exports amounted to $5.7B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 30%. The global exports peaked at $7.4B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (403 units), distantly followed by the Netherlands (165 units), Canada (160 units), Italy (137 units), the Czech Republic (137 units) and the UK (130 units) represented the largest exporters of civil helicopters, together generating 60% of total exports. The following exporters - Belgium (75 units), the United States (64 units), France (63 units), Estonia (55 units), Spain (55 units), South Africa (52 units) and Denmark (48 units) - together made up 22% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to helicopter exports from Germany stood at -2.0%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+41.9%), Spain (+39.3%), Denmark (+32.0%), Estonia (+28.9%), the Czech Republic (+21.8%), Belgium (+19.2%), South Africa (+11.2%) and the UK (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +41.9% from 2012-2022. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-1.7%), Canada (-1.8%) and France (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+8.4 p.p.), the UK (+6.9 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+6 p.p.), Belgium (+3.1 p.p.), Estonia (+2.9 p.p.), Spain (+2.8 p.p.), Denmark (+2.3 p.p.) and South Africa (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Italy (-3.8 p.p.), Canada (-4.5 p.p.), France (-10.8 p.p.) and Germany (-11.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($1.5B), Germany ($875M) and Canada ($757M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 55% of global exports. Italy, France, the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Estonia, with a CAGR of +76.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg was the largest type of civil helicopters in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 1.4K units, which was approx. 76% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (445 units), making up a 24% share of total exports.

Helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022. helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (-1.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg saw its share reduced by -11.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg ($4.3B) remains the largest type of civil helicopters supplied worldwide, comprising 76% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg ($1.4B), with a 24% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg exports totaled +2.0%.

Export Prices By Type

The average helicopter export price stood at $3,033,289 per unit in 2022, jumping by 28% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a mild decrease. The global export price peaked at $3,992,822 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg ($9,717,918 per unit), while the average price for exports of helicopters of an unladen weight under 2000 kg stood at $971,848 per unit.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by helicopters of an unladen weight over 2000 kg (+3.4%).

Export Prices By Country

The average helicopter export price stood at $3,033,289 per unit in 2022, picking up by 28% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $3,992,822 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($23,906,896 per unit), while Denmark ($24,659 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+37.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform