The helicopter leasing market is seeing stronger demand, with helicopter fleets reaching 10% of leased rotorcraft in 2023, and the figure projected to grow to 15% by the end of the decade.
Aviation market intelligence and advisory company IBA said the main driver behind this growth is the ""shift towards helicopters in multi-role configurations which increases the end user appeal, thereby expanding the range of possible leasing options.""
IBA found that popular models for lease placements are Airbus H125s, H135s, and H145s, as well as the Leonardo AW139 helicopters.
""Actual helicopter deliveries for 2023 were in line with IBA's previous forecasts around the 500-unit mark,"" IBA read in a statement. ""With stability observed in deliveries, IBA anticipates steady market values and lease rates through to 2025 as supply chain issues are gradually resolved."" Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) growth in global fleets is likely to exceed the number of retiring helicopters as demand increases.
IBA also saw a growing demand from Asia for the emergency medical service (EMS) helicopter market, enabled by ""the availability of finance"" allowing for greater investment in the sector.
Demand for helicopter leasing growing
