Used Single Helicopter Sales, Inventory Slide in 1H 2026

Preowned sales of single-engine helicopters shrank in the first half as inventory declined, according to global helicopter sales and market intelligence firm Aero Asset. As a result, the absorption rate lengthened to five months.

Aero Asset reported 74 transactions worth $180 million in the first half, with respective year-over-year (YOY) drops of 20% and 24%. VIP models led with $105 million in sales during the first six months, but that was down 9% YOY. This was followed by utility helicopter sales at $69 million (-26%) and EMS at $6 million (-63%).

“Although transaction activity declined during the first half of the year, the market remained healthy,” said Valérie Pereira, v-p of market research for Aero Asset. “Inventory tightened faster than demand softened, supporting pricing stability and liquidity. Buyer demand remained active for quality aircraft, while sellers benefited from one of the lowest supply levels observed in recent years.”

Even with the slower sales activity, median transaction pricing only modestly ebbed year over year in the first half, down just 2%. Aero Asset said this reflects the ongoing balance between limited inventory and “disciplined buyer” demand rather than market pricing pressure. Helicopters sold about 12% below asking price on average, an amount that Aero Asset maintained is consistent in a healthy negotiating environment.

North America remained the largest retail market during the first half of the year, accounting for 59% of the sales transactions (buyer location). However, the Asia-Pacific region had the most supply for sale (43%), with Europe following (36%). While sales declined across all regions, the biggest slide—50% YOY—came in Latin America. Available inventory also decreased across most regions.

Liquidity, which is measured in activity, was strongest for the Airbus AS350/H125 families, followed by Bell 407 models. The Airbus EC130 B4/H130 marked the weakest liquidity metrics among single-engine helicopter models, with an estimated absorption rate of 1.3 years, Aero Asset added.