Aero Asset: Preowned Helo Sales Improving

Sales of preowned single-engine helicopters around the world climbed 4% year over year in the first six months of 2024 while supply rose by 23%, according to Aero Asset's 2024 Half Year Heli Market Trends Single-Engine report. Subsequently, the absorption rate increased to 13 months of supply at current trade levels, it said.

“During the first half of 2024, retail sales for single-engine helicopters were up for the first time in a year and a half,” said Aero Asset v-p of market research Valerie Pereira. “The supply of single-engines for sale also increased, but pricing remained steady versus the same timeframe last year.”

The countries with the most supply of single-engine helicopters for sale include Europe (35%) and North America (25%). Asia-Pacific accounted for 22%; Latin America, 11%; and the rest of the world, 7%. North America still accounted for the highest number of transactions in the first half at 63%.

Activity was highest for the Airbus AS350/H125, followed by the Bell 407 and Leonardo AW119. “The Airbus EC130B4/H130 was the least liquid market, with an absorption rate of 1.6 years,” Aero Asset said.