Commercial Helicopter Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Light, Medium, Heavy), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The commercial helicopter market size was valued at USD 5.88 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing use of helicopters in Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), along with usage in law enforcement, public safety, and firefighting operations are expected to boost the growth of the commercial helicopter market. The industry is expected to witness an increase in demand for rotorcraft from the oil and gas sector for various marine applications. The need for new helicopters is largely influenced by a variety of factors, such as width, cabinet size, product information, and the development of operational technology.

Factors such as high maintenance costs, operational erosion, contract change cycles, and safety concerns are expected to continue with the replacement of older helicopters. Such a need for the replacement of old helicopters, especially in older markets, is expected to create opportunities for market growth. Air travel has become an important part of travel, especially for professional and recreational purposes. The challenges faced by conventional modes of transport, such as roads and railways, in reaching remote areas provide superiority and growth potential for rotorcraft for transport purposes.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a significant impact on the industry. Due to the pandemic, the regional market in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the U.S. suffered a significant descent in the demand for helicopters, with substantially reduced revenues for various helicopter service providers and suppliers across all markets, leading to late delivery, the allowance of limited staff at manufacturing facilities, manufacturing shutdown and minimal equipment availability.

Commercial and civilian helicopters are finding increased application in the oil and offshore gas production, VIP transport, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), law enforcement, and public safety domains. Moreover, reduced noise and enhanced speeds are the two most important characteristics considered by manufacturers when designing new-age helicopters. Reduced accident rates, improved travel session efficacy, and rotorcraft’s cost of the life cycle are expected to act as essential drivers determining the overall expansion of the market.

The increasing number of options for leasing and leasing companies in the market is anticipated to offer a different new opportunity for operators to help expand their fleet of commercial helicopters. Leasing companies are purchasing advanced helicopters to increase their fleet and take into account unprecedented market forces. Many of these companies are positive about the need for helicopters, especially for workers working in the oil and gas industry.

Furthermore, there has also been a noticeable increase in the purchase of new helicopters for activities like training, tourism, firefighting application, enforcement of the law, and particularly for replacing older fleets and widening the application base. The above is expected to be a boon for market growth. Attributes like growth in gas and oil excretion and exploration activities and increased demand for lightweight helicopters for air ambulances for medical purposes are expected to be the market drivers. Fuel-saving and efficiency are the main focus areas for helicopter manufacturers based on the needs of end-users. Technological advances in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as the need for improved helicopter power operations, drive the need to revitalize commercial helicopters.

Application Insights

Law enforcement & public safety are expected to emerge as the highest revenue-generating segment over the forecast period. The law enforcement segment captured the largest market share of 31.4% in 2021. The major market players are effectively looking upon the rotorcraft demand in numerous commercial operations, such as medical evacuation, police missions, and other law enforcement applications. Airbus can support a variety of missions, from patrolling and surveillance to search and narcotics interdiction or rescue.

The medical services segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 7.9% for the forecast period. Airborne medical services can travel faster 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. Air ambulances are equipped with medical equipment essential for the care and treatment of injured or sick patients, Like ground ambulances. Typical air ambulance equipment includes ventilators, medications, monitoring units and ECGs, wrists, and CPR equipment. The rising demand for air ambulance services is expected to boost the growth of the commercial helicopters market in the coming years.

Type Insights

The Medium type segment captured the largest revenue share of 51.8% in 2021 and is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. Medium-sized helicopters are majorly used to reach remote locations as a transportation option, and they play a crucial role in supporting lifesaving SAR operations and other medical emergencies. Cost efficiency, mission versatility, and a reduced maintenance cycle are anticipated to drive the affectation of medium commercial helicopters. Engine manufacturers also undertake research and development projects to develop more efficient hybrid helicopters. In addition, rising fuel costs will create a need for hybrid-electric propulsion as it operates more efficiently.

The heavy type segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. Heavy commercial helicopters are majorly used for law enforcement, emergency medical services, aerial work, and firefighting. The commercial segment can be bifurcated into two main activities: aerial work like surveillance, power line or agriculture surveillance, external loads, harbor pilot, maintenance, etc., and passenger transportation like taxi, charter, tourism, and shuttle. The demand for such types of aerospace and video rotorcraft, as well as event planning, such as equipment and personnel, is expected to continue to grow. In addition, the growing entertainment industry is expected to increase the demand for commercial helicopters during forecasts.

Regional Insights

Based on regional insights, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA. Europe is expected to emerge as the highest revenue-generating segment over the forecast period. The European market accounted for the largest revenue share of 33.3% in 2021 and is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The Clean Sky region, which involves a partnership between the private sector between the European Commission and the European aviation industry, provides advanced technology for producing environmentally friendly and quiet flying aircraft.

The Asia Pacific is anticipated to emerge as the fastest-growing market with a CAGR of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030. China has the second-largest helicopter in the Asia-Pacific region and is the fastest-growing market. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negligible impact on the helicopter market directly in the short term as orders and deliveries appeared to decline in 2020. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the tourism industry in the region, thus contributing to the income of helicopter pilots. This is expected to hamper the need for commercial helicopters for a short span of time. Helicopters' demand is expected to increase significantly during the forecast period, mainly due to widespread use, especially in the public and commercial sectors. Helicopters are used for various applications, including air ambulance, air travel, law enforcement, aerial photography, and emergency rescue services. The practice is achieved by a slight modification of the specification of the helicopter, which drives the purchase of new helicopters by pilots working in various fields.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market players are focused on separating their products from their competitors in order to gain a foothold. Key market players, such as Leonardo S.P.A, Airbus S.A.S., Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Bell Helicopter-Textron, have invested heavily in R&D activities to develop a new generation rotorcraft using a combination and advanced aircraft. Manufacturers around the world are integrating advanced features, such as (FADEC) Full-Authority Digital Engine Control, an innovative avionics suite, and the latest satellite navigation systems for global climate change, into rotorcraft.

Reducing the growing regulations and the critical pace of infrastructure development required in various developing countries around the world is expected to provide significant opportunities for helicopter manufacturers to grow their customer base and enter market capitalization. The attractive growth rate of the Asia Pacific market urges airlines around the world to build relationships and partnerships with local companies in an effort to maximize business opportunities available in the region. Some of the major players in the global commercial helicopter market include:

• Airbus S.A.S.

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

• Enstrom Helicopter Corp.

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited,

• Leonardo S.P.A.

• Lockheed Martin Corporation

• MD Helicopters, Inc.

• Robinson Helicopter Company

Commercial Helicopter Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global commercial helicopter market report based on type, application and, region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Light

  • Medium

  • Heavy

  • Very large

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oil & Gas

  • Medical Services

  • Transport

  • Law Enforcement & Public Safety

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa